This was released after Mrs Miniver. Based on James Hilton's novel, and screenwritten by Claudine West, George Froeschel and Arthur Wimperis, it's something of a romantic tall tale, in which amnesiac Ronald Coleman (particularly good) falls for helpful Greer Garson (also good). They marry, but then he is injured and regains his memory - but also loses the last few years. The massive plot twist - that when his secretary is revealed it's Garson, and he has no idea who she is - is fabulous, but it's exceedingly unlikely... though of huge delight to the audience. It was of course a massive hit for MGM. we loved it - hadn't see it in years.
We were enjoying the way Harold Kress dissolves from one scene to another. (He's the Man Who Made Margaret Booth Cry. See here.) It's very splendidly photographed by Joseph Ruttenberg. Also thought the cottage set very sweet, designed by Cedric Gibbons:
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| You can almost hear the gasps of the 1940s audience |
With Philip Dorn (doctor), Susan Peters, Henry Travers, Reginald Owen (boxer publican), Bramwell Fletcher, Rhys Williams, Una O'Connor, Aubrey Mather.
Here's what she looks like in colour:
She was of Scottish descent which I guess explains her Scottish number in music hall scene.
Loved the use of sound when he revisits the village from the opening and we hear the music that was playing then.
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