I first read Our Town when I was in high school and found it deeply meaningful. Since then, I've seen several productions of it, but never got to see the 1940 film until recently. The actors are fine (especially William Holden and Martha Scott, both as teen-agers and as adults); the sets are good (even though Our Town is not supposed to have any); and the musical score by Aaron Copland is wonderful.
But they ruined the third act by making unnecessary changes. I think it destroys what the play is really about. Just the same, I'm happy to have a video of this version (which I have watched twice so far), but I'm ordering videos of other versions (1977 and 1989). Wish I could see the musical version ("Producers Showcase," 1955) with Frank Sinatra as the Stage Manager, but it seems not to be available anywhere.
But they ruined the third act by making unnecessary changes. I think it destroys what the play is really about. Just the same, I'm happy to have a video of this version (which I have watched twice so far), but I'm ordering videos of other versions (1977 and 1989). Wish I could see the musical version ("Producers Showcase," 1955) with Frank Sinatra as the Stage Manager, but it seems not to be available anywhere.