while I think that might be going too far (a biased opinion), I will say that Ronald certainly does give Cary a run for his money.īeautiful and quite haunting in my opinion.Īs I was reading up on Ronald, I found out that he actually served in World War I, and was seriously wounded by a shrapnel to the ankle at the Battle of Messines. It is with this bit of information that makes me wonder if Ronald actually knew military men suffering from amnesia as his "Smith" character did, and if so, did he base Smith on them? I read a quote once saying that Coleman was the one person that could make Cary Grant look pedestrian. and what a leading man! I don't know much about Ronald Colman due to my lack of watching his films, but it is with this picture and doing a little research on him that I can safely say that he deserved to be a well-loved leading man in the 1930s through the 40s. With generally great reviews and a strong recommendation from TMP, Random Harvest is not one to be missed if you love sentimental dramas.Though this is technically my second Ronald Colman picture, it is my first where he is, quite irrevocably, the leading man. Variety referred to Greer Garson as “an important mainstay of the picture.” The review states that she “overshadows Colman,” but that the film on the whole “achieves much more than average importance.” Miniver has been challenged by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in a manner most likely to succeed,” he wrote, giving props to Random Harvest‘s poignant emotions and charming stars, but weaseling in one gripe about the fact that “they never seem real.” (I happen to disagree! While the situation they’re living in is perhaps quite far from ordinary, the performances sold it for me.) “The almost impossible problem of finding an equally popular role for the lovely and charming Greer Garson after her tour de force in Mrs. (Captured from /Media History Digital Library)Bosley Crowther of The New York Times even enjoyed the film. Chips “in interest and importance.” The mag also noted that preview screenings garnered rave reviews. Screenland featured the film in a two-page photo spread, declaring “Greer Garson proves she wasn’t born with a bustle!” A full review praised the film’s “exquisite” acting and said that Random Harvest matched Goodbye, Mr. Modern Screen, for one, did recommend the film, rating it four stars - meaning “very good,” and the highest possible rating of their “Movie Scoreboard” feature. When I watched Random Harvest for the first time in 2012, I found it equal measures heartbreaking and heart-warming - a sentimental but well-made film with a fantastic performance by its leading lady, Greer Garson.īut were the critics of the ’40s as touched by Random Harvest as I was? Ronald Colman plays the role of Smithy and Greer Garson is his devoted wife in 1942’s Random Harvest. But when Charles is struck with amnesia again, will their marriage survive? They build a life together, even having a child. He doesn’t remember his pre-war life at all, so he breaks free from the hospital where he’s being observed and starts anew, eventually marrying music hall actress Paula. (Image via )Charles “Smithy” Rainier is a veteran of the first World War, inflicted with a bout of amnesia. Recommended | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED | Must-See
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