Since You Went Away
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Movie Reviews of Since You Went Away
Movie Review: Top Twenty 40's Film & a Beauty...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the first film I've ever seen that begins with a 10 minute `Overture'; the music is excellent and won the composer, Max Steiner, the 1945 Oscar for Best Music. The film was nominated for 9 Oscars, directed by John Cromwell, (The Enchanted Cottage) and written & produced by the man himself, David O. Selznick. Selznick evidently intended this film to reach the box office and epic movie success of `Gone with the Wind', however popular at the time and now considered one of the top twenty 40's films ever made, never reached Selznick's expectations.
The film follows the lives of the Hunter family after Mr. Hunter leaves to go and fight in the war. Claudette Colbert in the role of Mrs. Hunter carries the film throughout the three hours but is well supported by the Hunter girls', Jane (The beautiful Jennifer Jones) and Brig (An older Shirley Temple) including a close friend of the family, Anthony Willett (Joseph Cotton).
What makes this film unique for its time is its perspective of the wives and children left behind as husbands, fathers and sons went to war.
The DVD not only includes an `Overture" but an actual Intermission, where the beautiful soundtrack continues to play in the background.
The clergyman played by the regal Lionel Barrymore gives a sermon in a moving monologue representing America's Ideals of preserving liberty. Barrymore is a legend and this short speech in the film affirms this legendary status.
Personally, my favourite character is the irascible Colonel Smollet (Monty Woolly) as his character is the type one never sees anymore, old-worldly, traditional, strong, and a man of principles.
For some of us living in the 21st century this film may appear too sentimental and possibly `corny', but it represents America's high values: the importance of family and strength of character during war time. Values that continue to be important today as our boy's continue to leave their homes and families to fight (in most cases) senseless wars.
We forget that those left behind, particularly the women, fought hard to even survive and supported their respective families and the war effort in ways that should be acknowledged more than it currently is or in the past.
I like this film because the themes and values it represents are very important and should never be forgotten.
A certain 5 stars...
Movie Review: Inspiring Drama Set On The Homefront During WWII
Summary: 5 Stars
Eight of the most famous stars of the day, a warm and tender story, and an uplifting message make this 1944 film a true classic. David O. Selznick, still riding a crest of popularity after his stunning "Gone With The Wind," borrowed several ideas from that masterpiece. A long and stirring overture, an intermission in this lengthy three-hour show, and the introduction of a stunning beauty (Jennifer Jones, whom he would later marry) would copy but never equal his previous success, yet this is a magnificent film in its own right as it tells an inspiring story of patriotism, loss, and true love.
Claudette Colbert is Anne Hilton. In the opening scene, she has just taken husband Tim to the train station where he has left to fight in World War II. Her daughters are Jane (Jennifer Jones) and Bridget (Shirley Temple) and along with their live-in maid and dear friend Fidelia (Hattie McDaniel) they give an impressive view of how the women left behind survived not only the loneliness but also the rationing and social pressures of WWII.
Monty Woolley is Col Smollett, the curmudgeon of a boarder they are forced to take in to make ends meet, and Robert Walker, Jr. is Bill, his estranged grandson who falls in love with Jane. (Interesting trivia: Walker and Jones were married in real life but in the process of divorcing during this movie since she and Selznick were in love and would later marry.) Joseph Cotten is Lt. Tony Willett who has a deep affection for Anne and Agnes Moorehead is her embittered friend Emily Hawkins. Look for Lionel Barrymore as the clergyman and Guy Madison (who would later achieve fame as TV's Wild Bill Hickok) as the lonely sailor in bit parts.
Anne must keep her family together and never let their spirits sag as they acutely feel the absence of Tim. Daughter Jane will survive a great tragedy and their ornery boarder will have his own epiphany. Keep your hankies handy as you wonder along with the characters if life will ever be the same.
Nominated for nine Academy awards (best picture, best actress, best supporting actress, best supporting actor, cinematography, art direction, editing, music score, and special effects) this is one classic movie lovers will not want to miss.
Movie Review: Touching War Portrait
Summary: 5 Stars
"Since You Went Away" was released in 1944 and shows a different side of war - families coping with life stateside. The peerless Claudette Colbert stars as Anne Hilton, and the picture picks up with her entering her empty home after her husband has been deployed. She struggles to put on a happy face for her teen daughters, played by Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple. All three of them make sacrifices and experience tragedies as they bravely endure war which impinges on their previously ideal middle-class life. Into their lives come an abrasive, retired Colonel (Monty Woolley), the Colonel's timid son (Robert Walker, who was married to Jennifer Jones at the time), and a charming family friend who is stationed nearby (Joseph Cotton).
Producer David O. Selznick wanted the movie to be as superior as his earlier "Gone with the Wind." That comparison is a bit lofty, but "Since You Went Away" is extremely good - a top-notch Hollywood film in every way. The casting and acting are superlative, particularly Colbert; Temple is also quite good in one of her few young adult roles. The direction by John Cromwell (father of actor James) is stunning, with a multitude of intimate scenes interspersed with some incredible set-pieces, such as the USO cantina dance. Perhaps the most famous scene takes place in a train station, with Jennifer Jones tearfully biding goodbye to her boyfriend as she runs alongside his train. The scene was even parodied in "Airplane!"
Although the film teeters toward melodrama at times and the movie is undeniably glossy, but the script is so pitch-perfect and warm that it manages to be tremendously effective. The film may sound like an American retread of 1942's "Mrs. Miniver," but the plot is quite different and even funny at times. The film received a number of Oscar nominations: Picture, Actress (Colbert), Supporting Actor (Woolley), Supporting Actress (Jones); it won for best score. "Since You Went Away" is one of the finest war movies of the 1940s; however, perhaps because of its rather genteel tone, it's been somewhat forgotten, which is really a shame. Most highly recommended.
Movie Review: An antique jewel
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, it's of its time, which means dated. The black and white cinematography (ignore the color on the box it comes in) is excellent.
I understand that Claudette Colbert at first objected to playing a woman with two teenage daughters; the script manages to work in that her soldier husband is only about 40 (though he looks older than that in his photo) so I guess we're meant to think that Claudette was a child bride. The adults in this film played almost-believable real grownups, given the film conventions of its time. Joseph Cotten is a handsome rake on the make, Claudette does let the pressures get to her frome time to time, Agnes Moorehead plays a bitchy divorcee (was there any other kind?) Hattie McDaniel was unfortunately relegated again to a stereotypical black housekeeper who mangles the English language to everyone's amusement, but she as always also projects wisdom and humanity despite her sometimes silly dialogue. Monty Wooley plays the martinet colonel with the heart of gold, but he doesn't melt too much so as to become sappy.
Jennifer Jones was a overage to play a high school senior, but she really did a lovely job with this, portraying both young first love, and
maturing victim of war's tragedy. This film is 3 hours long, and Selznick made it into an "epic" with an overture and entre'acte (presumably so film goers could go to the bathroom). There is a lot of sentimentality here, and these characters aren't just individuals, but supposed to represent all the roles that people play in war (I mean really, can you imagine Claudette Colbert working as a riveter in a shipyard), but like "Mrs Miniver", you love these people in spite of the melodrama. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Sentimental but great!
Summary: 5 Stars
I must confess that this is one of my favorite movies from the WW2 genre. However, as corny as it seems it is relevant to some today. My husband is currently deployed-again and each time I enter the house after dropping him off at the airport or Schofield or any other post we have been to in the 6 years of our marriage I feel like "Anne Hilton" when I return home and see his chair sitting empty where he had just sat in it hours before.
Jennifer Jones (who filed divorce papers from then husband Robert Walker the day after their final scene was filmed) showed the depth of her craft. Even though they were going their separate ways both played like two young people falling in love.
Agnes Moorehead is perfect as the stuck up woman who feels that hosting tea dances is all she needs to do to support the troops and can't understand why a young lady such as Jones would want to volunteer in a VA hospital. Hattie McDaniel gives her usual stellar performance although in a minimal role. Monty Woolery is typecast to be a cranky old man but softens when he spends time with the Hilton family and realizes that perhaps he was too harsh with his now dead grandson (Walker). Jospeh Cotten is the typical Naval Officer playboy who seems to have a number of girls in port.
While the movie is long it is worth watching. It should serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by every family who sends a loved one off to war--no matter what war it is.