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A post WWII feel good movie!

I got this movie as I thought that it must be a spectacular one since it won 1 Oscar and was nominated for another 8 including Best Picture in 1945. The world is a stage and we (the audience) are the fools taken for a royal ride. It is quite apparent how turns of events of the time determine jury sentiments. It was the end of World War II. A film on the effect of war on the family left behind by the soldiers and how their partners cope with challenges back home just had to win to give a pat to all those who contributed directly and indirectly to success of the War and helped to put USA to the rank of the superpower of the world.
Frankly, there is nothing to shout about in this movie. It just reminded me of those Disney feature length movies where everybody is courteous and apologizes profusely even when he loses his temper for a fraction of a second.
I was quite excited to see Joseph Cotton (who gave sterling performances in many movies in the 40s including Hitchcock's) and Shirley Temple (the child prodigy) cast in lead roles. The effort however, did not really change my overall perception of the movie.
Mrs. Anne Hilton (Claudette Colbert) has to take charge of the Hilton home after his marketing executive husband leave home to serve his country, sacrificing his pay-check and leaving a 17 year old daughter, Jane and a pre-teen daughter, Brig [Jennifer Jones (who eventually married the producer David O. Selznick) and Shirley Temple respectively.] To make end meet, Anne rents out a room to a grumpy old Colonel.
Joseph Cotton is Mr. Hilton's best friend, an unmarried lieutenant who drops in to give moral support. I suspected some hanky-panky to happen there but nothing happened. The Colonel's grandson with whom the old man does not have a good relationship drops in. Jane fall for this boy, Bill, who is a corporal. Bill is Jane's real life husband.  He later is shipped out for war. They acted in an emotional railway station scene which is immortalized in the history of Hollywood. Unfortunately, the rocky marriage that they were trying to smoothen out around the time of the film crumbled and she married the producer.
There is also an ugly looking bulldog who gives a sterling performance as a comic relief. The story progresses with the Hiltons receiving news that the head of the family goes missing in action in war. The corporal also dies in combat, much to devastation of little Jane. The relationship of the Hiltons with the Colonel improves and the film ends with a happy note with Mrs. Hilton joining the workforce to provide for the Army and Mr. Hilton is found!
The film does not head anywhere. Basically, it is a patriotic movie for the masses at that time....
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  1. Anonymous22 February 2012 at 11:16

    Maybe at that time 1945 is was a great movie with 1 oscar (without advance technology) with a simple storyline .

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