The Human Comedy (1943)
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80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
68% of users liked it
(313 ratings)
Author William Saroyan's corn-shucking brand of sentimentality works wonders in this 1943 filmization of his novel. Narrator Ray Collins is dead before the film begins; thus he is able to provide an all-seeing overview of the tiny community of Ithaca, California. The principal character, played… More Author William Saroyan's corn-shucking brand of sentimentality works wonders in this 1943 filmization of his novel. Narrator Ray Collins is dead before the film begins; thus he is able to provide an all-seeing overview of the tiny community of Ithaca, California. The principal character, played by Mickey Rooney, is Collins' son; as the delivery boy for the local telegraph office, Rooney keeps in close contact with virtually every family in town, which results in several comic and poignant moments. Rooney's older brother Van Johnson is in uniform, off fighting World War II; his sister Marcia Hunt is the erstwhile sweetheart of telegraph-office supervisor James Craig. The "circle of life" concept that unifies the anecdotal plotline is best illustrated by the film's final image: after Johnson dies in battle, his best friend, parentless John Craven, is more or less adopted by Collins' family. Reportedly, The Human Comedy was MGM chief executive Louis B. Mayer's favorite film, an apotheosis of Mayer's devotion to "family values." Among the many small-part players populating Human Comedy are Barry Nelson, Robert Mitchum, Don DeFore, Jay Ward (later the producer of Rocky and His Friends) and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Clarence Brown
- Written By
- Howard Estabrook
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Mar 2, 1943 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Outdoes Capra in cornball melodrama, but does it well.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Since Mickey Rooney was then at the height of his popularity, many viewers saw it as just another episode of the Andy Hardy series, but it was actually a bittersweet small-town saga, in the vein of Capra, dealing with the inevitable loss of innocence
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Considerable talent in direction and acting, and if viewers are able to put their cynicism behind them, it is an enjoyable film.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Mickey Rooney
as Homer Macauley
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Frank Morgan
as Willie Grogan
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Fay Bainter
as Mrs. Macauley
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James Craig
as Tom Spangler
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Ray Collins
as Mr. Macauley
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Marsha Hunt
as Diana Steed
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Van Johnson
as Marcus Macauley
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Donna Reed
as Bess Macauley
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Dorothy Morris
as Mary Arena
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Ann Ayars
as Mrs. Sandoval
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Mary Nash
as Miss Hicks
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Henry O'Neill
as Charles Steed
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Katherine Alexander
as Mrs. Steed
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Alan Baxter
as Brad Stickman
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Darryl Hickman
as Lionel
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Barry Nelson
as Fat
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Rita Quigley
as Helen Elliott
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Clem Bevans
as Henderson
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Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
as Augie
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Morris Ankrum
as Mr. Beaufrere
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Lynne Carver
as Daughter
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Wally Cassell
as Flirt
- Hobart Cavanaugh
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Wallis Clark
as Principal
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John Craven
as Tobey George
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Mark Daniels
as 1st Soldier
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Don DeFore
as Texas
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Byron Foulger
as Blenton
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Howard Freeman
as Rev. Holly
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Connie Gilchrist
as Dolly
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Gibson Gowland
as Leonine Type Man
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David Holt
as Hubert Ackley
- Butch Jenkins
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Frank Jenks
as Larry
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Robert Mitchum
as Horse
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Robert E. O'Connor
as Bartender
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Emory Parnell
as Policeman
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Adeline de Walt Reynolds
as Librarian
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S.Z. Sakall
as Mr. Ara
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Mary Servoss
as Mrs. Beaufrere
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Jay Ward
as Felix
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Ernest Whitman
as Black
- Frank Craven
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William Roberts
as 2nd Soldier
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Don Taylor
as Soldier
