None But the Lonely Heart (1944)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Clifford Odets

Writers:

Richard Llewellyn (novel)
Clifford Odets (written by)

Release Date:

17 October 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

When an itinerant reluctantly returns home to help his sickly mother run her shop, they're both tempted to turn to crime to help make ends meet.

Plot Keywords:

Cancer | Dog | Illness | Mother Son Relationship | Arcade

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Cary Grant	...	Ernie Mott
Ethel Barrymore	...	Ma Mott (as Miss Ethel Barrymore)
Barry Fitzgerald	...	Henry Twite
June Duprez	...	Ada Brantline
Jane Wyatt	...	Aggie Hunter
George Coulouris	...	Jim Mordinoy
Dan Duryea	...	Lew Tate
Roman Bohnen	...	Dad Pettyjohn
Konstantin Shayne	...	Ike Weber

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-7 (2004) | USA:Approved (PCA #10039) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:U | UK:A (original rating)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

According to a 1947 "New York Times" article, Lela E. Rogers, the mother of Ginger Rogers, denounced the script at a committee hearing of HUAC (House Committee on Un-American Activities) as a "perfect example of the propaganda that Communists like to inject" and accused Clifford Odets of being a Communist. Rogers cited the line spoken by "Ernie" to his mother, "You're not going to get me to work here and squeeze pennies out of little people who are poorer than I am," as an example of Communist propaganda. Hanns Eisler, who was nominated for an Academy Award for composing the film's score, was also interrogated by HUAC and was designated as an unfriendly witness for his refusal to cooperate.

Quotes:

Ernie Mott: They say money talks... all it's ever said to me is goodbye.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 42nd Annual Academy Awards (1970) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Romance No.6, Op.6 (None But the Lonely Heart)

The haunting music -None but the Lonely Heart, is a constant theme

This 1944 movie is a masterpiece of black and white photography by Director Clifford Odets. The subtilty of background lighting and the shadow effects in the street scenes are magic. There are moments of sheer brilliance with Cary Grant as the independent unorthodox Cockney son Ernie Mott, who comes home and decides to run the secondhand furniture shop and care for his sick mother, Ethel Barrymore. Jane Wyman, makes money playing the cello and patiently loves Ernie from across the street. Mott has 'perfect pitch' and can tune pianos and does odd jobs. Grant brings this quirky character to life and makes us love him. Ernie is a combination of dark brooding and sanguine pathos. All the actors are excellent and bring the poetic language of the script to life. June Duprez as Ernie's girlfriend Ada is riveting. Barry Fitzgerald as genial family friend Henry Twite is special. Even the Dog called Nipper stole every scene. As you can see I loved this movie, hope you do too....