H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941)

54% of users liked it
(56 ratings)

MGM was doing so well in 1941 that it could afford the occasional "prestige" film with little box-office appeal. Based on the novel by J.P. Marquand, H.M. Pulham, Esq., stars Robert Young as a successful but stuffy Boston businessman. The glimmer of sadness in Young's eyes indicates that his… More MGM was doing so well in 1941 that it could afford the occasional "prestige" film with little box-office appeal. Based on the novel by J.P. Marquand, H.M. Pulham, Esq., stars Robert Young as a successful but stuffy Boston businessman. The glimmer of sadness in Young's eyes indicates that his ascension to the top was not without its cost. In flashbacks, we see how Young considered changing the track his life was on in order to marry Hedy Lamarr. After marrying his wife, however, the man never strays. The film utilizes the Strange Interlude approach of interior monologues heard on the soundtrack, and anticipates Citizen Kane (which hadn't yet been released when Pulham was filmed) by building its entire narrative on the flashback structure. H.M. Pulham, Esq. contains what may well be Robert Young's best performance, though few filmgoers in 1941 were interested enough to see it. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: King Vidor
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Romance

In Theaters: Dec 18, 1941 Wide
Studio: Unknown

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An MGM prestige film that was poison at the box office.

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Cast

            Hedy Lamarr as Marvin Myles

            Robert Young as Harry Pulham

            Ruth Hussey as Kay Motford Pulham

            Charles Coburn as Mr. Pulham Sr.

            Van Heflin as Bill King

            Fay Holden as Mrs. Pulham

            Bonita Granville as Mary Pulham

            Douglas Wood as Mr. Bullard

            Charles Halton as Walter Kaufman

            Phil Brown as Joe Bingham

            David Clyde as Hugh the Butler

            Sara Haden as Miss Rollo

            Harry Crocker as Bob Ridge

            Leif Erickson as Rodney "Bo-Jo" Brown

            Frank Faylen as Sergeant

            Byron Foulger as Curtis Cole

            Arno Frey as German Officer

            Ava Gardner as Girl

            Connie Gilchrist as Tillie

            Walter Kingsford as Skipper

            Ottola Nesmith as Mrs. Prindle

            John Raitt as Soldier

            Anne Revere as Miss Redfern

            Sid Saylor as Preacher

            Bob Cooper as Harry as a Boy

            Grant Withers as Harvard Coach

            Earle Dewey as Chris Evans

            Douglass Newland as Sam Green

            Harry Brown as Charley Roberts

            Bonita Gransville
            
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