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Reviews
Once Upon a Time (1944)
"Beautiful philosophy of faith" in 1944
My dad saw this film at Fort Ord in May, 1944, just before shipping overseas. Pop wrote this in a letter to Mom: "At last, I'll attempt to tell you the story of the show I saw the other night. The name of it was "Once upon a Time" starring Cary Grant, Janet Blair, a little boy of nine, and a caterpillar. It was pure fantasy, but it was as realistic as any boy could know in his world of make-believe. Cary Grant was an unsuccessful owner of a big theater who was about to lose his theater if he didn't pay off a $100,000 debt within a week. He chanced upon two small boys in the street with a box in their hands. When the one boy played "She's my baby now," the caterpillar would raise up to its tail and dance, but would remain motionless to any other tune. Grant immediately spotted the possibilities of saving his theater by exploiting this caterpillar. Grant and the boy go into partnership, numerous events arise which prevent the $100,000 coming to Grant throughout the week. This is as much as I should tell you, for I want you to see the picture. It is moving, sentimental, and the sudden disappearance of "Curly" the caterpillar, brings the show to an abrupt climax. You'll love the boy; he is an example of childhood as I love to see it. Throughout, there is a beautiful philosophy of faith."
Seven Days Ashore (1944)
Quite amusing with big laughs in 1944
My Dad saw this film with other American soldiers of the US Third Army in a town in newly liberated France on September 20, 1944. He wrote this in a letter to my Mom on the same day: "At twelve-thirty, a truckload of fellows went into a nearby small town to see a picture show. Today's was the first show I've seen in France. It was Seven Days Ashore, and I found it quite amusing. You may have seen it weeks or months ago. It was the involved plot of boy and girl in-out-and-in love, but of course everything turned out as beautifully as we've known it for five years plus, without the "out" -- just "in"-in-in love. The show was in a large barn; men were crammed in every nook, cranny, and corner. It was quite some sight, and I really enjoyed sharing in the big laughs."