None But the Lonely Heart (1944)

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.

Director:

Clifford Odets

Writers:

Clifford Odets (written for the screen by), Richard Llewellyn (from the novel by)

Stars:

Cary Grant, Ethel Barrymore, Barry Fitzgerald

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited 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

Storyline

A sickly English woman runs a store by herself, while her irresponsible son travels aimlessly, refusing to contact her. When told that his mother has cancer, the young man comes home, reforms himself, and helps his mom run the shop. Soon however, each becomes involved in illegal activities.

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Plot Keywords:

cancer | unrequited love | automobile theft | slum | pawnbroker | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 October 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apenas um Coração Solitário

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an article in Hollywood Citizen-News, to secure the services of Ethel Barrymore, the studio had to pay all the expenses incurred by temporarily closing the play "The Corn Is Green", in which she was starring on Broadway.

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Quotes

Aggie Hunter: Don't worry for me. I'm here if you need me. I can't help my own nature. If I love you it's something I can't help, and something that I need. People are what they are and love what they love, and I don't see any sense in trying to be something else. I wouldn't trade it for a box at the opera, the thing I feel for you. And you can't change it or take it away from me. And there you are mister jack in the box.

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Connections

Featured in The 42nd Annual Academy Awards (1970)

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Soundtracks

"Romance No.6, Op.6 (None But the Lonely Heart)"
(1869) (uncredited)
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Played during the opening credits and often in the score
Played by Jane Wyatt on cello
Played by Cary Grant on piano

User Reviews

A solid, engaging drama with amazing performances from the whole cast. I dare say one of Grant's greatest performances.

I saw this movie by chance. Did not think I would be interested in seeing Cary Grant as a lower class good for nothing but was gradually riveted by the story and character development. The mother was amazing. Cary was amazing, in one of his most acting type acting jobs I've every seen. What I mean is, he's always playing the suave type and this was very different, much more serious and nuanced and he was very good at it. Also the dialog was really engaging, entertaining, full of little cockney(I guess it was cockney)sayings and rhymes. The watch maker/repair man was one of my favorite characters. All the actors in this were splendid and well directed. The ending bitter sweet and different. I was constantly thinking that I had guessed the outcome but was continually surprised with each little turn of the story. The two different women that have his romantic interest are both fascinating and diametrically opposed which creates a subtle suspense that underlies the other more dramatic events of the film. The dialog was really good. Some of the lines are so impacting, I think they'll stay with me for a long time. At one point,a friend informs Cary about his mother's illness and Cary asks him about it. The man replies: "Your mother is not a superficial woman." thus implying the illness is very serious.

Highly recommend this film. BUT it's not your typical funny or adventurous Cary Grant film. It's a serious and touching portrait of a man trying to do the right thing(and the unselfish thing) for the first time in his life. So be ready for a real drama(a bit more modern in feel next to other contemporary dramas). A well made drama.