Since You Went Away (1944)
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83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(1,235 ratings)
David O. Selznick's first production since 1940's Rebecca, Since You Went Away, based on Margaret Buell Wilder's bestselling novel, is a long but rewarding paean to the World War 2 "home front". Claudette Colbert plays the wife of a businessman who, though well past draft age,… More David O. Selznick's first production since 1940's Rebecca, Since You Went Away, based on Margaret Buell Wilder's bestselling novel, is a long but rewarding paean to the World War 2 "home front". Claudette Colbert plays the wife of a businessman who, though well past draft age, volunteered to serve his country as an officer (though the husband is never seen, he is "played"-via a photograph-by Neil Hamilton). Fighting back her own fears and anxieties, Colbert does her best to maintain a normal, stable household for the sake of her growing daughters Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple. She is offered moral support by cynical-but-kindly boarder Monty Woolley, by maid Hattie McDaniel (who willing foregoes her salary "for the duration") and by Navy man and friend-of-the-family Joseph Cotten, whose relationship with Claudette remains staunchly platonic. The harsh realities of war hit home several times throughout the film, first when it seems as though Colbert's husband is missing in action, and later when Jennifer's young boyfriend, GI Robert Walker, is killed in combat. From the vantage point of the 1990s, it is easy to see why Since You Went Away scored with its wartime audiences. Though the leading characters are slightly more financially secure than most of the moviegoers of 1944, the various vignettes presented throughout-complaints about rationing and priorities, shoulder-to-shoulder sacrifices, the weekly escape to the local movie house, tender partings, joyous reunions, the returning wounded, the dreaded wire from the war department-all had the ring of truth and topicality. Even today, the film's emotional highlights, particularly the much-imitated farewell scene at the railroad station, are sufficient to bring tears to the eyes of the most jaded viewer. Enhancing the film's heartstring tugging tenfold is Max Steiner's Oscar-winning musical score. If you can remain objective while watching Since You Went Away (it isn't easy), see if you can spot Ruth Roman, Guy Madison and John Derek, making their screen debuts in microscopic roles ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Cromwell
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jul 20, 1944 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Selznick's schmaltzy tale of the heroic behavior of one "typical" American family during WWII boasts noble political values, but it's devoid of many artistic merits.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
I cherished the film's three-hour running time because it gave me time to get to know these people, even love them a little.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Beautifully made wartime drama with stellar cast.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
World War II propaganda homefront schmaltz
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Cast
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Claudette Colbert
as Anne Hilton
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Jennifer Jones
as Jane Hilton
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Joseph Cotten
as Lt. Tony Willett
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Shirley Temple
as Bridget "Brig" Hilton
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Monty Woolley
as Col. Smollett
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Agnes Moorehead
as Emily Hawkins
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Lionel Barrymore
as The Clergyman
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Robert Walker
as Cpl. William G. Smollett II
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Hattie McDaniel
as Fidelia
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Jane Devlin
as Gladys Brown
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Lloyd Corrigan
as Mr. Mahoney
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Gordon Oliver
as Marine officer
- Robert Anderson
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Irving Bacon
as Bartender
- Aileen Pringle
- Charles Williams
- Wallis Clark
- Leo Mostovoy
- James Carlisle
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George Chandler
as Cabbie
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Ann Gillis
as Becky Anderson
- Grady Sutton
- Ruth Valmy
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Jackie Moran
as Johnny Mahoney
- Buddy Gorman
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Andrew V. McLaglen
as Former Plowboy
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Addison Richards
as Maj. Sam Atkins
- George Lloyd
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Barbara Pepper
as Pin girl
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Guy Madison
as Harold Smith
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Jill Warren
as Waitress
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Byron Foulger
as Principal
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Harry Hayden
as Conductor
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Edwin Maxwell
as Businessman
- Russell Hoyt
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Florence Bates
as Dowager
- Conrad Binyon
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Theodore von Eltz
as Desk clerk
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Adeline de Walt Reynolds
as Elderly woman
- Robert Cherry
- Kirk Barron
- Jack Gardner
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Doodles Weaver
as Convalescent
- Dorothy Adams
- James Westerfield
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Warren Hymer
as Patient at Finger Ladder
- Ralph Reed
- Peggy Maley
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Rob Johnson
as Black Officer
- Shelby Bacon
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Eddie Hall
as Salior On Phone In Train Station
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Eilene Janssen
as Little girl
- Harlan Miller
- Neyle Marx
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Johnny Bond
as AWOL
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Ruth Roman
as Bit Part
- Steve Wayne
- Marilyn Hare
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Jonathan Hale
as Conductor
- Walter S. Baldwin
- Eric Sinclair
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Craig Stevens
as Danny Williams
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Albert Basserman
as Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden
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Jimmy Clemons
as Boy Caroler
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Keenan Wynn
as Lt. Solomon
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Rhonda Fleming
as Bit Part
- Lela Bliss
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Dorothy Dandridge
as Black Officer's Wife
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William B. Davidson
as Taxpayer
- Jimmie Dodd
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Dorothy Garner
as Sugar
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Neil Hamilton
as Tim Hilton - photograph
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Alla Nazimova
as Woman Welder
- John Derek
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Terry Moore
as Refugee child
- Tom Dawson
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Janelle Johnson Dolenz
as Uncredited
