![]() He does not remember her, and she does not tell him of her true identity. Under the name of Margaret, she goes to work as his secretary, hoping to jog his memory. By this time Paula has lost her son, and having searched for Smitty for many years, she finds his picture in the newspaper as Charles Rainier. He returns to his original life and family, and becomes a successful businessman named Charles Rainier, taking over the family company. He is hit by a taxi on the way and the shock reverses him back to his old self–his life with Paula is completely erased from his memory. Smitty’s condition improves and he finds work, and after Paula gives birth to their child, a boy, he goes off to an interview. Paula and Smitty become great friends, ultimately falling in love and getting married. The man calls himself “John Smith” or “Smitty,” though he knows that is not his real name. One of the greatest screen romances and nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1942, this is one of my all-time favorite movies.Ī brief speed-through of the (rather complicated) plot: The story is of Paula (Greer Garson), a chorus girl who befriends a shell-shocked army veteran (Ronald Coleman) who has lost his memory. Sims), Reginald Owen (‘Biffer’), Bramwell Fletcher (Harrison), Rhys Williams (Sam), Una O’Connor (Tobacconist) and Aubrey Mather (Sheldon).Today being Ronald Colman day on TCM’s Summer Under the Stars schedule, I was so pleased to see that Random Harvest had been scheduled for the primetime slot. Jonathan Benet), Susan Peters (Kitty), Henry Travers (Dr. Starring Ronald Colman (Charles Rainier), Greer Garson (Paula), Philip Dorn (Dr. Kress music by Herbert Stothart produced by Sidney Franklin released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He’s still likable and Garson’s great so Harvest works.ĭirected by Mervyn LeRoy screenplay by Claudine West, George Froeschel and Arthur Wimperis, based on the novel by James Hilton director of photography, Joseph Ruttenberg edited by Harold F. With his memory back, Colman loses a character and gets a backstory. Peters inexplicably disappears from the film too, along with the entire supporting cast. She causes Garson–who comes back in a contrived, but inventive plot twist (and Garson excels in the second half of the film)–some consternation. ![]() Peters is actually rather good, but her role doesn’t really affect the narrative. Random Harvest moves through phases, some small as the focus switches between Colman and Garson, but also bigger ones, like when Colman’s memory returns and seven years pass in less minutes and he’s all of a sudden romancing Susan Peters. Colman’s good as the amnesiac and Garson’s rather likable in her role–her dedication is convenient (none of the three screenwriters–Claudine West, George Froeschel, Arthur Wimperis–manage any subtlety), but Garson manages to sell it as much as possible.īut then Colman’s memory comes back and it turns out he’s the utter bore, not the film. ![]() He’s an amnesiac World War I veteran, she’s on the stage–a combination of song and comedy–and she’s his savior. Almost the entire first hour (of two and a nickel), the film chronicles the blissful romance of Greer Garson and Ronald Colman. It’s hard to imagine a more supreme melodrama than Random Harvest. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |