The Human Comedy (film)
The Human Comedy | |
---|---|
Directed by | Clarence Brown |
Screenplay by | Howard Estabrook |
Based on | The Human Comedy 1943 novel by William Saroyan |
Produced by | Clarence Brown |
Starring | Mickey Rooney Frank Morgan |
Cinematography | Harry Stradling |
Edited by | Conrad A. Nervig |
Music by | Herbert Stothart |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Loew's, Inc |
Release date |
|
Running time | 118 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.0 million[1][2] |
Box office | $3.9 million[1][2] |
The Human Comedy is a 1943 American
Plot
The film is the story of a teenaged Homer Macauley in high school, working part-time as a
Cast
- Mickey Rooney as Homer Macauley
- Frank Morgan as Willie Grogan
- James Craig as Tom Spangler
- Marsha Hunt as Diana Steed
- Fay Bainter as Mrs. Macauley
- Ray Collins as Mr. Macauley
- Van Johnson as Marcus Macauley
- Donna Reed as Bess Macauley
- Jackie Jenkinsas Ulysses Macauley
- Dorothy Morris as Mary Arena
- John Craven as Tobey George
- Ann Ayars as Mrs. Sandoval
- Mary Nash as Miss Hicks
- Henry O'Neill as Charles Steed
- Katharine Alexander as Mrs. Steed
- Alan Baxter as Brad Stickman
- Darryl Hickman as Lionel
- Barry Nelsonas Fat
- Rita Quigley as Helen Elliot
- Clem Bevans as Henderson
- Adeline De Walt Reynolds as Librarian
The AFI catalog lists 75 actors, including the 21 principals given credit on screen.[5]
Production
Saroyan wrote a film treatment and a screenplay that he expected to direct. He left the project when his 240-page script proved to be too long—approximately 4 hours long—and he was removed as director.[6][7] Saroyan went home and turned his original script into a novel, which was published just before the film was released and became an instant best-seller.[4]
Saroyan was not at all happy with the film as completed by Brown. Among the noticeable differences between the film and the novel are a more vivid characterization of the four-year-old Ulysses, stronger social criticism and far fewer sentimental scenes than were incorporated into the film by Estabrook and Brown.[citation needed]
Modern sources indicate that MGM chief Louis B. Mayer said that this was his favorite film.[7]
According to the
Reception
The New York Times critic Bosley Crowther praised the film's performances, especially Rooney's, saying that "There is a tenderness and restraint in his characterization." But he chided the film for excessive sentimentality, saying it featured "some most charming bits of fine motion-picture expression and some most maudlin gobs of cinematic goo."[4]
Variety commented that Saroyan's "initial original screenplay is a brilliant sketch of the basic fundamentals of the American way of life, transferred to the screen with exceptional fidelity."[6]
According to TCM's Notes on the production, the reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "the best picture this reviewer has ever seen," Daily Variety predicted it would be "one of the screen's immortals.” The Motion Picture Research Bureau gave it the best audience ratings. The Canadian Department of National Defence named it the best film of 1943.[7]
The film made $2.8 million in the US and Canada and $1.0 million elsewhere resulting in a profit of $1.5 million.[1][2][8]
Leonard Maltin gives the picture 3 1/2 out of 4 stars, describing it as: “Memorable Americana, faithfully adapted... Unfolds like a novel, with many lovely vignettes, and one of Rooney's best performances...”[9]
In 2010, Dennis Schwartz wrote that the film: "outdoes Capra in cornball melodrama, but does it well...(It) gets the close-knit community mood right of small town America during World War II, and keeps it from becoming bloated with sentimentality (though it’s unquestionably sugary) ... (reminding) Americans of an innocent time when they believed they were warm-hearted decent people who cared about their country, community and others ... where one could advance by getting a good public education and the people in the country felt they could safely leave their house doors unlocked. It’s an America that probably no longer exists, which makes this film relic a memorable look back."[10]
Rotten Tomatoes rates it 80 percent fresh.[11]
Awards
It won the Oscar for Best Story and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Mickey Rooney), Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Director and Best Picture.[12]
References
- ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^ a b c Scott Eyman, Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer, Robson, 2005 p 349
- ^ "The Human Comedy". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c Crowther, Bosley (2007). "Movie Review: The Human Comedy". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
- ^ a b "The Human Comedy - Credits". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ a b "The Human Comedy". Variety. January 1, 1943. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ a b c "The Human Comedy (1943) - Notes - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "Top Grossers of the Season", Variety, 5 January 1944 p 54
- ^ "The Human Comedy (1943) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "HUMAN COMEDY, THE – Dennis Schwartz Reviews". Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ The Human Comedy (1943), retrieved June 4, 2020
- ^ "The 16th Academy Awards (1944) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.