A Man to Remember (1938)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Garson Kanin

Writers:

Dalton Trumbo (screenplay)
Katharine Havilland-Taylor (story)

Release Date:

14 October 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | Foster Child | Father Son Relationship | Medical College | Gunfire

Cast

Anne Shirley	...	Jean Johnson
Edward Ellis	...	Dr. John Abbott
Lee Bowman	...	Dick Abbott
William Henry	...	Howard Sykes
John Wray	...	Tom Johnson
Granville Bates	...	George Sykes
Harlan Briggs	...	Homer Ramsey
Frank M. Thomas	...	Jode Harkness
Dickie Jones	...	Dick Abbott - Age 8-12
Carole Leete	...	Jean Johnson - Age 4
Gilbert Emery	...	Dr. Robinson
Joe De Stefani	...	Jorgensen

Runtime:

79 min (copyright length)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #4558) | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

Since the credits in the Netherlands Filmmuseum print are not original, the IMDb listings are taken from the AFI Catalogue of Feature Films (1931-1940), which were confirmed from a cutting continuity deposited with the copyright records. Note that the film editing credit for Jack Hively is not in the Netherlands Filmmuseum print.

Movie Connections:

Version of One Man's Journey (1933)

Soundtrack:

Funeral March (Marche Funèbre)

A Man and Film to Remember

Opening at the funeral of John Abbott, doctor of the small town, three men that Abbott owed money to are eager to wait for Abbott's assets to be distributed so they can reclaim their money. Abbott's effects however are a series of notes each with their own story to tell, such as a remittance for a doctor's fee for the birth of a baby girl, Jean, whom Abbott adopts, paid bills where the doctor provided everything he could for sacks of potatoes or a couple of dollars, as well as other memories of Abbott helping the town get their hospital, stopping a polio epidemic, sacrificing an advanced career in a more prosperous city, watching his son, Dick, following in his dad's footsteps, eventually taking over his practice, and more which make the men think that Dr. Abbott has paid his debts many times over. The film is a great slice of small town Americana that is very moving and brilliantly presented (by first time director Kanin). Edward Ellis in probably his only leading role is perfect even surpassing Lionel Barrymore's understated performance in an earlier version, One Man's Journey. Shirley and Bowman also lend fine support and a great mix of character actors play up the sentimentality of the film. Sad thing is the only surviving print is a Dutch subtitled version, but it is in good quality and it is a rare treat to watch. Rating, 9