“Since You Went Away,” “Dragon Seed” (Movie Reviews-7/21/44)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 7/21/44 | Bosley Crowther, P.P.K.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles and the occasional radio broadcast delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

“Since You Went Away” clips

“Dragon Seed” movie poster

“Since You Went Away” movie poster

“Dragon Seed” clips

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Both of these movies are available from Netflix on DVD, although “Since You Went Away” carried a “very long wait” warning as of 7/1/14.

I see “Since You Went Away” as the most important American home front movie made during the war. Sort of an American “Mrs. Miniver.” It has an impressive cast and garnered a lot of Academy Award nominations. (“Going My War” was the big winner for 1944.)

“Dragon Seed” may have historical value as a reflection of the American attitude toward China, but fails as entertainment. This one is definitely not required viewing. Mrs. Homer and I gave it a try but could only take it for 32 minutes before switching to a selection from the Alfred Hitchcock television season of 1955. If you do decide to watch “Dragon Seed” stay with it at least long enough to see Katherine Hepburn playing a headstrong Chinese woman. It is ghastly, yet fascinating. All the major characters are Chinese people portrayed by Caucasian actors. Reviewer P.P.K. criticizes the varying accents they use, but it seems not to occur to anyone concerned that English-speaking Chinese actors might have been a better choice for this production. I guess the American audience wasn’t ready for that – HJS.

“Since You Went Away” opening

“Dragon Seed” original trailer

[Tax-chick]

... the heavy speech of Akim Tamiroff falls upon the ear as resonantly as the sound of a gefilte fish banged against a temple gong.

A line of which P.J. O'Rourke would be proud.

[iowamark]

(“Going My War” was the big winner for 1944.)

Going My War?

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Okay, WAY

[GeronL]

Well, if Johnny Depp can be Tonto... then Hepburn can be Chinese!

[llmc1]

“Since You Went Away” never fails to bring a tear at the end.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Well, if Johnny Depp can be Tonto... then Hepburn can be Chinese!

Very good!

(They should have picked Elizabeth Warren for Tonto. Better type-casting.)

[GeronL]

lolz!

[GeronL]

Maybe Hollywood can pick some white guy, say Tom Cruz, and make him the last Sumarai too, while they are at it!

[GeronL]

Port of Chicago blowed up and they are already rebuilding it? How long do you think it would take to rebuilt it these days? Months, years?

They decided to let the Democrats use “Don’t change horses” after banning it because it might be used in a political way. Did they somehow decide it doesn’t?

Interesting how both of the reviews are pretty negative, especially the second one. Yet, “Since you went away” was breaking records at the Capitol theater. Meanwhile it’s director already signed a deal for a new film “The Affairs of Susan”.

Also interesting how each film only seems to be showing at one big theater. I guess these are owned by the film production companies who want it exclusively for a while?

Warners’ Strand and Warners’ Hollywood theaters... I guess the city was big enough for 2!

Also interesting that you can see “Democrat national convention” at one of the theaters! Trans-Lux, which is “air cooled”!

Apparently “Song of Bernadette” was playing at several theaters and stars Jennifer Jones who also had a big part in “Since You Went Away”. She was a busy young woman!

Looks like 2 different Disney movies playing at different theaters. How old were they? Surely “Fantasia” and “Snow White” weren’t released at the same time?