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The Impatient Years (1944)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 September 1944 (USA) moreTagline:
They found the answer to WAR-TIME MARRIAGES in the middle of a KISS!Plot:
Standing before a divorce court judge (Edgar Buchanan) are Sergeant Andy Anderson (Lee Bowman) and Janie... more | add synopsisUser Comments:
Jean Arthur and The Stranger She Married moreCast
(Credited cast)| Jean Arthur | ... | Janie Anderson | |
| Lee Bowman | ... | Andy Anderson | |
| Charles Coburn | ... | William Smith | |
| Edgar Buchanan | ... | Judge | |
| Charley Grapewin | ... | Benjamin L. Pidgeon, Bellboy | |
| Phil Brown | ... | Henry Fairchild | |
| Harry Davenport | ... | Minister | |
| Jane Darwell | ... | Minister's Wife | |
| Grant Mitchell | ... | Hotel Clerk | |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Bob Stanton | ... | Singer (as Bob Haymes) | |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
91 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This movie was originally set to reunite the trio of stars of The More the Merrier (1943) (Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea and Charles Coburn). Only Arthur and Coburn are in it. McCrea backed out before shooting started and was replaced by Lee Bowman. moreSoundtrack:
Who Said Dreams Don't Come True? moreFAQ
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Legendary star Jean Arthur ended her Columbia contract with THE IMPATIENT YEARS in 1944 and walked away from her screen career to return to the movies only twice within the next eight years. This mildly entertaining light drama was not a particularly memorable ending to the golden era of her career but it is an acceptable one. Jean married solider Lee Bowman in a whirlwind courtship before he left for duty, now that he's back they find they have nothing in common except for the baby she gave birth to while he was away. A bad first day back home has the duo headed to divorce court where judge Edgar Buchanan agrees with Jean's dad (Charles Coburn) suggestion that they be forced to relive their whirlwind courtship again for a few days to see if they really don't have anything in common before a divorce will be granted.
This is essentially a drama with a few comic touches. Jean Arthur is always good and looks remarkably youthful at 43 (although publicized at the time as 38) completely believable as a young girl who has become completely domesticated without a husband (or really wanting one). Lee Bowman was one of several rather colorless actors promoted to leading man during the war years while many major stars were away serving in the military. He's OK here but not much more than that and is saddled with a character that has a rather unpleasant edge. Certainly the "second courtship" of Arthur and Bowman doesn't ring true in it's resolution.
Phil Brown plays Jean's bookish boarder who is half in love with her and has been playing surrogate, platonic husband while Bowman has been away. Brown doesn't make a particularly strong impression on screen but he went on to have a very long if minor career reaching his apex with a small role in 1977 in STAR WARS. He passed away just last year, 2006.
Charles Coburn is wasted here but a few other character actors shine in their small roles, notably Charley Grapewin as an elderly bellhop and Harry Davenport and Jane Darwell as the justice of the peace and his wife.
THE IMPATIENT YEARS proves at least that Jean Arthur could handle drama as well as her more acclaimed talent for comedy. The star was one of a kind but the film alas is run of the mill.