Since You Went Away (1944)

While husband Tim is away during World War II, Anne Hilton copes with problems on the homefront. Taking in a lodger, Colonel Smollett, to help make ends meet and dealing with shortages and ... See full summary »

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Margaret Buell Wilder (book), Margaret Buell Wilder (adaptation),

Stars:

Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claudette Colbert	...	Mrs. Anne Hilton
Jennifer Jones	...	Jane Deborah Hilton
Joseph Cotten	...	Lt. Tony Willett
Shirley Temple	...	Bridget 'Brig' Hilton
Monty Woolley	...	Col. William G. Smollett
Lionel Barrymore	...	Clergyman
Robert Walker	...	Cpl. William G. 'Bill' Smollett II
Hattie McDaniel	...	Fidelia
Agnes Moorehead	...	Mrs. Emily Hawkins
Alla Nazimova	...	Zofia Koslowska (as Nazimova)
Albert Bassermann	...	Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden
Gordon Oliver	...	Marine Officer Seeking Room
Keenan Wynn	...	Lt. Solomon
Guy Madison	...	Sailor Harold E. Smith
Craig Stevens	...	Danny Williams

Storyline

While husband Tim is away during World War II, Anne Hilton copes with problems on the homefront. Taking in a lodger, Colonel Smollett, to help make ends meet and dealing with shortages and rationing are minor inconveniences compared to the love affair daughter Jane and the Colonel's grandson conduct.

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Plot Keywords:

love | homefront | lodger | rationing | self sacrifice | 

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Taglines:

Great! . . . A Story So Warm . . . So Human . . . So Real . . . you'll wish it might never end! With seven great stars who were never greater!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Yiddish

Release Date:

20 July 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Als du Abschied nahmst

Filming Locations:

Church of the Angels - 1100 Avenue 64, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vanguard Films (III), Selznick International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

177 min 130 min (1949 re-release) 177 min (DVD) 172 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jennifer Jones and Robert Walker play young lovers. In real life, they were at the end of a failed marriage and divorced shortly after. She later married David O. Selznick, the producer of this film.

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Quotes

Major Sam Atkins: Hello, Tony. I didn't know you were in town.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Hello, Sam. It's quite a dance you fellows are putting on here. What's the matter? You look upset.
Major Sam Atkins: Just got some bad news. Good evening, Mrs. Hilton.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Good evening, Major.
Major Sam Atkins: Plane crash. Don't say anything about it now, it might spoil the fun.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: That's too bad. Where'd it happen?
Major Sam Atkins: Right outside town. Lost one of my best boys.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: What was his name?
Major Sam Atkins: Mahoney. He hit some wires.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Oh, not Johnny!
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The on-screen screenplay credit reads "screenplay by the producer."

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Jennifer Jones: Portrait of a Lady (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)"
(1850) (uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Music by Richard Wagner
In the score during the opening scenes (wedding trip plaque shown)

User Reviews

One of the best movies about life on the 'homefront' during war

Subtle and nuanced in most places, a bit obvious in others, Since you went away may be the best war movie ever made that doesn't have a war scene. It follows the life of a family in the early days of America's entry into World War II. The coming of age thrust upon young men and women is splendidly captured, but central is the silent pain and worry of those who with loved ones in harm's way. Watch for the scene when Mr. Mahoney leaves the movie theater. There is no dialog, and there need not be.

This movie is often shown near the Holidays because of a great Christmas scene,it's general warmth, and its theme of Country, God, and Family.

One of Jennifer Jones' best performances, with strong work by Claudette Colbert, Shirly Temple, Joseph Cotten, Robert Walker, Hattie McDaniel and Monty Woolley. Agnes Moorehead foreshadows her role years later in the series 'Bewtiched', playing the town 'witch'.