My Foolish Heart (1949)

Sept. 4-5, 2011

72. My Foolish Heart (1949) 

Starring Dana Andrews, Susan Hayward, Kent Smith, Lois Wheeler, Jessie Royce Landis

Directed by Mark Robson

**REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**

Plot: “After a long absence, Mary Jane visits her schoolfriend Eloise, and Eloise's daughter Ramona. Eloise drinks too much and is unhappily married to Lew Wengler. Eloise falls asleep and remembers her time with her true love, Walt Dreiser, at the beginning of the Second World War. She recalls the events that lead up to her split with Mary Jane, and how Lew married Eloise rather than Mary Jane.” (from IMDb)

I really didn’t care for this one at all. Originally based on a story by J.D. Salinger which was published in The New Yorker, this film is a 98 minute soap opera tear-jerker.

I guess my main problem with this is that I couldn’t relate to the characters: I didn’t understand what Eloise saw in Walt. I thought it was irresponsible of the father to send his young daughter back alone to New York. I thought Walt was a jerk who really only wanted one thing from Eloise. Elle’s father and Walt were also rather chauvinistic in dealing with her expulsion. It bothered me that they treated the whole thing in this *wink*wink* manner. Didn’t they care about her future? She was just expelled! I also disliked Eloise for falling so cheaply and then marrying the wrong man on a rebound. Ugh! It was just frustrating, and honestly it all made me feel a little sick. I just found the characters’ motivations frustrating and unconvincing. Add to that the fact that the film is painfully predictable, and it’s not a winner in my book. 

I used to like Dana Andrews quite a bit, but I didn’t like his character at all in this. He really came across as insincere, haughty, and demeaning to Eloise (Susan Hayward). But maybe that was just me…?

Sorry for the grainy quality of these screencaps; the copy I viewed was rather poor.

Edith Head designed Hayward’s wardrobe.

I know this is supposed to be oh-so-romantic, but I really did not like the storyline at all. The two leads were supposed to be madly in love, but I did not feel much chemistry between them.

At first I felt like Susan Hayward was not that great in this, but I thought she got better—to the point of being quite excellent—as the film went on. She does a commendable job of showing the progression and emotion of her character. Especially near the the end of the film, I was really captivated by her ability to make me feel what Eloise was going through. Even though I thought her character made some stupid choices, it was still really sad.

Susan was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for this role.

If you enjoy this type of weepy flash-back-to-first-love film, you might enjoy this. As you already know, I didn’t. But I could’ve just been in the wrong mood to watch a super sad film like this. It was kind of depressing!

With a Song in My Heart (1952)

Aug. 13-14, 2011

69. With a Song in My Heart (1952)

Starring Susan Hayward, Rory Calhoun, David Wayne, Thelma Ritter, Robert Wagner, Helen Westcott, Una Merkel

Directed by Walter Lang

Plot **CONTAINS SPOILERS**: “Jane Froman (Susan Hayward), an aspiring songstress, lands a job in radio with help from pianist Don Ross (David Wayne), whom she later marries. Jane's popularity soars, and she leaves on a European tour... but her plane crashes in Lisbon, and she is partially crippled. Unable to walk without crutches, Jane nevertheless goes on to entertain the Allied troops in World War II.” (from IMDb)

This film definitely has some good things going for it (which I talk more about below) but I thought the story itself was a bit sad—the plane crash, how her marriage fell apart, etc. Nevertheless, it’s still an interesting true story that combines music, patriotism, and drama.

Jane Froman (Hayward) singing radio commercials near the beginning of her career.

David Wayne’s character is kind of annoying and fickle, but I think he’s supposed to be.

According to IMDb, Marilyn Monroe later wore this exact same costume (pictured above) in 1956’s Bus Stop.

Susan Hayward lip-synced to recordings of the real Jane Froman’s singing. That gives the movie an interesting touch because we are listening to the real singer. Speaking of Froman, I'm quite enthralled with her talent. She has such an amazing voice! You can listen to one of her songs—and learn more about her—by going to her website (it'll play automatically if you have your volume turned on). I can’t believe I’d never heard of her before!

Rory Calhoun.

The fateful plane journey.

This movie has a lot of songs in it, but I honestly didn’t notice that it was more than usual because they are so good! The soundtrack on this really could not be better. In fact, Alfred Newman won an Oscar for his musical scoring of the film.

I thought Hayward was great in this film. She really put her whole heart into the role. I’m eager to see more of her movies. For her performance in this film, she was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar.

If for nothing else, I recommend watching this film for Thelma Ritter. This is one of her best roles, in my opinion. She’s terrific!

The Academy nominated Thelma for Best Supporting actress. The film also garnered Oscar nominations in the areas of costume design and sound recording. 

 

A very young Robert Wagner appears twice in the film—once as an audience member at one of Jane’s shows (above) and later as a shell-shocked soldier (below).

I definitely recommend watching the extras on this film if you see it on DVD. The movie ends with quite a few things left undecided: what happens to her relationship with Burn, whether she ended up losing her leg, etc. The special features explain the real life story of Jane Froman and how they went about adapting it to screen. It helps to fill in some of the gaps of the film.

I’d Climb the Highest Mountain (1951)

 
July 7, 2011

61. I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951)

Starring Susan Hayward, William Lundigan, Rory Calhoun, Barbara Bates, Gene Lockhart

Directed by Henry King

Plot: "The simple told story, based on Corra Harris' biographical book, of a Methodist minister, called to a north-Georgia mountain-community in 1910 who, with his gently-bred new bride, meets the problems and crises of his circuit-riding congregation fearlessly and honestly." (From IMDb)

I originally saw this film when I was a kid, but for the longest time I couldn't recall the name of it. Then, one day I stumbled across this review that Laura had posted. That was it! I proceeded to immediately interloan it from my library system (thankfully they had it!). I'm really happy I found this film because it is quite a gem. At least I think it is—though my view could be altered a bit by nostalgia. I do think I view this film very differently as a twenty-year-old than I did at, say, age six or seven. If anything, I think that I am able to appreciate it more.

I can’t quite put my finger on what appeals to me about this movie. I think it is the honesty and simplicity of it. Despite having some sad moments, the film feels very calming. This tone is set with the voiceover of the older Mary that narrates the picture and strings together the different vignettes that comprise the story.

I also really like the two leads—William Lundigan and Susan Hayward—and I think their performances are what carries the film. I’m not even the type of girl who likes to go camping, but even I would consider moving to the backwoods and roughing it if it meant marrying someone as kind and nice (not to mention handsome) as William! In Laura’s review she mentioned that Jeanne Crain was originally slated to play Mary but backed out due to pregnancy. No offense to Miss Crain, but I am really glad that Susan Hayward got the role. I feel like she brings a lot of spunk to the part and keeps the character from being too bland and one-dimensional. It definitely makes me want to check out some more of her movies. Together, Lundigan and Hayward make a charming couple and their interaction feels very genuine.

As much as I enjoyed this movie, there is one part (where a tragic accident occurs) that really threw me. I did not remember it at all from my previous viewing and I wasn’t expecting it. But lest you think the film is all sadness, it’s really not. Mixed in with the more serious subject matter is a good deal of humor and fun. (Just watch out for that one part!)

In some ways, this movie is similar in subject matter to 1955’s A Man Called Peter, although that story is about a more famous minister and covers a longer amount of time. The setting also brings to mind films like The Music Man, Oklahoma!,  or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (though this isn’t a musical, and the time period is probably closer to Anne of Green Gables or Pollyanna). So that should give you an idea of the ‘feel’ of the movie.

I wish I could make some screencaps (I watched it on VHS) from this because the Technicolor scenery, sets, and costumes are really quite lovely (I especially loved Hayward’s clothes). The lobby cards and black and white promotional stills (click on image for source) don’t do the film justice. Unfortunately, this isn’t available on DVD. It would be great if this could be restored and released, but I’m not sure what the status is on 20th Century Fox’s old films. (Anyone know?)

One thing that I might change about this film is to make it a little longer. At 88 minutes it breezes by, and I for one was sorry to see it end.

Happy Independence Day!

Ava Gardner [source]

Claudette Colbert [source]

Susan Hayward and Virginia Dale, 1940. [source]

Debbie Reynolds, 1952. [source]

Anne Francis, 1955. [source]

Piper Laurie, 1950s. [source]

Vera-Ellen, 1950. [source]

Ann Miller, 1940s. [source]

Publicity still for the 1942 movie Yankee Doodle Dandy with Jeanne Cagney, James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, and Rosemary DeCamp. [source]

Joan Crawford. [source]

Gloria Shea, 1932. [source]

…and God Bless America!