Smartorhypo
Highly Overrated But Still Good
Sexyloutak
Absolutely the worst movie.
Clarissa Mora
The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.
JohnHowardReid
Producer: Harriet Parsons. Executive producer: Jack J. Gross. Copyright 9 March 1945 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Astor: 27 April 1945. U.S. release: 15 February 1945. U.K. release: 23 July 1945. Australian release: 20 September 1945. 8,472 feet. 94 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Homely girl and disfigured veteran fall in love.NOTES: Remake of the 1924 film starring Richard Barthelmess, May McAvoy and Florence Short (in the roles now played by Young, McGuire and Byington), directed by John S. Robertson for Inspiration Pictures. For this new version, Roy Webb's beautiful music score was nominated for Hollywood's most prestigious award in this category, but lost out to Miklos Rozsa's Spellbound. COMMENT: A charming, moving and entrancing motion picture with just one important drawback: Dorothy McGuire is just too pretty a girl to ever convince this viewer that she's an ugly duckling. True, Dorothy gives the role a good college try, but her own innate beauty defeats her attempts. Ted Tetzlaff's flatteringly glossy photography doesn't help either. But who cares? Robert Young, assisted by clever make-up, is very credible, and the rest of the players are likewise excellent. John Cromwell's stylish direction takes care to avoid any mawkish elements and as a result the old-fashioned drama comes across with surprising effectiveness, despite its awkward updating from 1922 to 1943. Roy Webb's romantic music score provides another big plus.
robert-259-28954
Watching this film was a reminder why I love B&W films so much. They're a time capsule of a different time, similar to ours, but very much different at the same time. This film epitomized this feeling so well. Utilizing the talents of one of the most handsome leading men of the time, Robert Young, and pretty leading ladies, Dorothy McGuire, the producers had the wisdom of using these two actors in totally unconventional roles—as ugly people. Without this juxtaposition, however, the film wouldn't have had it's visual impact. Today, even the subject might be considered "politically incorrect," but happily that term hadn't been invented yet. It's a simple film, and that's the charm of it. I've watched it twice,and it's had the same emotional impact both times. It's a tender, old-fashioned, overly-sentimental movie, and perhaps wouldn't make a dime today... wherein lies it's true beauty.
vincentlynch-moonoi
I'm very pleased to see that this film gets a good strong rating, even though it is not well known. It is a favorite movie of mine.There is one thing I must criticize -- the outdoor sets are so fake looking...but then again, most of the action takes place inside.As the film begins, we meet a blind man (Herbert Marshall) out walking with his grandson. They come across Laura Pennington (Dorothy McGuire), who is about to visit Mrs. Minnett (Mildred Natwick). Natwick owns a cottage that is used only for newlyweds, and McGuire is going to work for her. McGuire is very, very plain looking...perhaps homely...which is interestingly done primarily through harsh shadows and unkempt hair.Soon, Oliver Bradford (Robert Young) and his fiancée (Hillary Brooke) come to look at the cottage, but Natwick senses that their upcoming marriage will be interrupted by WWII, in which Young will be a flyer. Indeed, Young crashes before the marriage and is disfigured with a scar and a lower lip that looks as it might if one had a stroke (quite well done). Young goes to the cottage, but without his fiancée, and he refuses to communicate with his relatives. McGuire interrupts him as he is about to commit suicide. Of course, over time they fall in love and marry.And, as their love deepens, they become handsome/beautiful again. And then, Young's mother and second husband come to visit, and Young and McGuire learn that they are still homely and disfigured. But, Herbert Marshall counsels them and they realize all they need is their love.Robert Young is excellent here...undoubtedly his best screen effort. Indeed, he once said this was the finest love story of all time, and named one of his homes "The Enchanted Cottage". Young may have been more ingratiating in "Father Knows Best", but this is a very fine screen performance.Dorothy McGuire is also excellent. She is a much underrated actress, and this may very well be her finest role, as well.This may have been the first role in which I really took note of Herbert Marshall. He's excellent here...as he almost always was...and he is very convincing as a blind man (with the help of some special contact lenses).Mildred Natwick has one especially fine scene here.I usually give an "8" only to occasional "big" movies, and this is not a "big" movie. But it is truly enchanting. It's on my DVD shelf, and it gets a solid "8".
Raflet60
I remember this movie as a child when local channels used to show B/W movies during the day and at night. I never really understood it until I watched it as an adult and I fell in love with the whole idea of people that can see through others physical imperfections and see the true beauty that we can offer. Over time I also became a huge fan of Dorothy Mcguire. She was a natural beauty who always brought a unique warmth and realness to every role she ever played. As for Robert Young, I was surprised at how many good movies he made considering I first knew of him as Marcus Welby on TV. The Hollywood of old is full of great films that tell real stories such as this one does. I personally have a difficult time finding movies today that make me want to see them more than once. I think much of this has to do with the stars of the golden age. I'm not saying there aren't good actors today but the stars of yesteryear have such an appeal you find yourself watching these movies over and over. If you like Dorothy Mcguire, I highly recommend watching her in "I Want You" (1951), "Invitation" (1952) and of course "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" (1945). I think she was highly underrated and excelled in every role she played.
