Predictably, because the first MRS. MINIVER film directed by William Wyler was such an overwhelming success, MGM thought it was time to bring the Minivers back in a post-war tale that would also bring in the customers since it would also star GREER GARSON and WALTER PIDGEON.
Wrong. H.C. Potter is no substitute for William Wyler and the script is a sentimental sudser with Garson harboring a deep secret she wants to nobly hide until the last moment. Eldest son Vin (played in the original by Richard Ney, soon to become Garson's real-life hubby) is nowhere in sight in this sequel. Instead we have Toby (JAMES FOX in his film debut as Toby Miniver) and CATHY O'DONNELL as his sister, Judy.
With a cast that also includes British star LEO GENN, JOHN HODIAK and REGINALD OWEN, this was an attempt to give the post-war years of the family a meaningful treatment so that fans would rush to the box-office for a sequel to the famous World War II film. Again, wrong.
Garson and Pidgeon do respectable acting jobs as the couple with on screen chemistry, but the script is a tedious thing and certainly not up to the standards of the original film. If you have fond memories of MRS. MINIVER, I'd advise you to skip this one.
Wrong. H.C. Potter is no substitute for William Wyler and the script is a sentimental sudser with Garson harboring a deep secret she wants to nobly hide until the last moment. Eldest son Vin (played in the original by Richard Ney, soon to become Garson's real-life hubby) is nowhere in sight in this sequel. Instead we have Toby (JAMES FOX in his film debut as Toby Miniver) and CATHY O'DONNELL as his sister, Judy.
With a cast that also includes British star LEO GENN, JOHN HODIAK and REGINALD OWEN, this was an attempt to give the post-war years of the family a meaningful treatment so that fans would rush to the box-office for a sequel to the famous World War II film. Again, wrong.
Garson and Pidgeon do respectable acting jobs as the couple with on screen chemistry, but the script is a tedious thing and certainly not up to the standards of the original film. If you have fond memories of MRS. MINIVER, I'd advise you to skip this one.