The Human Comedy (1943)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(305 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 by… 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Clarence Brown
Written By: Howard Estabrook
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Classics

In Theaters: Mar 2, 1943 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Outdoes Capra in cornball melodrama, but does it well.
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
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.

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Cast

            Mickey Rooney as Homer Macauley

            Frank Morgan as Willie Grogan

            Fay Bainter as Mrs. Macauley

            James Craig as Tom Spangler

            Ray Collins as Mr. Macauley

            Marsha Hunt as Diana Steed

            Van Johnson as Marcus Macauley

            Donna Reed as Bess Macauley

            Dorothy Morris as Mary Arena

            Ann Ayars as Mrs. Sandoval

            Mary Nash as Miss Hicks

            Henry O'Neill as Charles Steed

            Katherine Alexander as Mrs. Steed

            Alan Baxter as Brad Stickman

            Darryl Hickman as Lionel

            Barry Nelson as Fat

            Rita Quigley as Helen Elliott

            Clem Bevans as Henderson

            Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as Augie

            Morris Ankrum as Mr. Beaufrere

            Lynne Carver as Daughter

            Wally Cassell as Flirt

            Hobart Cavanaugh
            
            Wallis Clark as Principal

            John Craven as Tobey George

            Mark Daniels as 1st Soldier

            Don DeFore as Texas

            Byron Foulger as Blenton

            Howard Freeman as Rev. Holly

            Connie Gilchrist as Dolly

            Gibson Gowland as Leonine Type Man

            David Holt as Hubert Ackley

            Butch Jenkins
            
            Frank Jenks as Larry

            Robert Mitchum as Horse

            Robert E. O'Connor as Bartender

            Emory Parnell as Policeman

            Adeline de Walt Reynolds as Librarian

            S.Z. Sakall as Mr. Ara

            Mary Servoss as Mrs. Beaufrere

            Jay Ward as Felix

            Ernest Whitman as Black

            Frank Craven
            
            William Roberts as 2nd Soldier

            Don Taylor as Soldier
See full cast

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