Themes: Fathers and Sons, Religious Zealotry, Mothers and Sons
Main Cast: Walter Huston, James Stewart, Beulah Bondi, Guy Kibbee, Charles Coburn
Release Year: 1938
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
Plot
Clarence Brown directed this heart-tugging piece of Americana, set during the Civil War era. Walter Huston plays a stern family patriarch, a preacher who thrusts his family into poverty in order to set an example for his parishioners. As a result, his son (James Stewart) grows up to resent him. He looks to travel East and go to medical school, but his father's iron-fisted vow of poverty holds him back from education. Defying the father, his mother (Beulah Bondi) sells off part of her dowry to finance her son's education. The young man travels East and becomes so embroiled in his studies he neglects to stay in contact with his family, returning only when he receives news of his father's death. After father's passing, he goes off to war as a doctor, leaving his mother abandoned back home. Having heard nothing from her son since his departure for the Civil War, mother thinks he may have died and contacts President Lincoln (John Carradine) to investigate his whereabouts. Surprisingly, Lincoln responds to the mother's pleas and seeks to find out about the status of her son. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
Review
It's difficult for a movie to wear its heart on its sleeve without coming across as falsely sentimental and/or manipulative; Of Human Hearts manages to indulge its sentimentality honestly, and while some may find its approach a bit too naïve, it's undeniably heartfelt and powerful. True, there are some elements that are simply over the top, most notably the idea that an American president would not only take the time out to personally follow up on the request of a single, non-influential citizen -- but would also track down a son and personally reprimand him for the error of his ways! But director Clarence Brown doesn't let reality bother him; he understands this is about essence and spirit and treats it accordingly. Indeed, it's Brown's strong hand that gives the film its impact; he is firmly committed to the ideals presented herein, and his belief in humanity shines through in every frame. He's aided enormously by his actors, all of whom turn in pitch-perfect performances. James Stewart and Walter Huston shine, of course, but they are matched by Beulah Bondi, in what is possibly her finest performance, as well as John Carradine, whose Lincoln is wonderfully convincing. Throw in a stirring Herbert Stothart score and you get a lovely, touching, and beautiful film. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Cedric Gibbons - Art Director, Harry Oliver - Art Director, Edwin B. Willis - Art Director, Charles E. Whittaker - Consultant/advisor, Dolly Tree - Costume Designer, Clarence Brown - Director, Frank E. Hull - Editor, Herbert Stothart - Composer (Music Score), Clyde de Vinna - Cinematographer, John W. Considine, Jr. - Producer, Slavko Vorkapich - Special Effects, Bradbury Foote - Screenwriter, Honore Morrow - Short Story Author
