Smilin' Through (1932)

The adoptive father of a young woman is horrified to learn she plans to marry the son of the man who accidentally killed her aunt years before.

Director:

Sidney Franklin

Writers:

Jane Cowl (play), Jane Murfin (play)

Stars:

Norma Shearer, Fredric March, Leslie Howard

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Norma Shearer	...	Kathleen / Moonyeen Clare
Fredric March	...	Kenneth Wayne / Jeremy Wayne
Leslie Howard	...	Sir John Carteret
O.P. Heggie	...	Dr. Owen
Ralph Forbes	...	Willie Ainley
Beryl Mercer	...	Mrs. Crouch
Margaret Seddon	...	Ellen
Forrester Harvey	...	Orderly

Storyline

John has led a solitary life for thirty years since the death of Moonyeen Clare. But now Owens, a close friend, insists that he care for his niece, Kathleen, orphaned when her parents were lost at sea. Kathleen is five, but the years pass and now she is a young woman who is the image of Moonyeen. Willy wants Kathleen for his wife, but Sparks fly when she meets Kenneth Wayne one dark and stormy night. John is horrified for it was Wayne's father who shot Moonyeen dead on her wedding day and John has never found him or forgiven the family. When Ken goes off to war, John forbids any marriage and Ken agrees, while Kathleen does not. When Ken returns four years later when the war is over, he is crippled. He conceals his condition and makes plans to leave for America.

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Plot Keywords:

romantic rivalry | tragic death | unrequited love | ghost | world war one | 

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Taglines:

Exquisite romance!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 17, 1939 with Norma Shearer reprising her film role.

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Goofs

The bulk of the story takes place during the WWI era, 1915-1919, but all of Norma Shearer's clothes, hats, and hairstyles are strictly in the 1932 mode, the year the film was made, a typical practice of the era.

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Quotes

Kenneth Wayne: Oh, darling, I love you so.
Kathleen: Is that all?
Kenneth Wayne: All?
Kathleen: Don't you want me, too? I want you. I'm not ashamed to say it. I'm yours. You're mine. I want that to be true, before you go.

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Crazy Credits

As M-G-M would later do with "The Wizard of Oz", no mention at all is made of any of the actors having dual roles. Thus, the characters "Moonyeen" and "Jeremy Wayne" are not even mentioned in the credits, although the characters are drastically important to the story.

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Connections

Version of Smilin' Through (1922)

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Soundtracks

O Perfect Love
(uncredited)
Music by Joseph Barnby
Lyrics by Dorothy B. Gurney

User Reviews

A beautiful romance, one of the best movies ever made

One of the most wonderful romances to have come from Hollywood in the 30s, Smilin Through stars three legendary actors- Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard and the gorgeous and talented Fredric March- with and without moustache! Also wearing uniform!! If that doesn't make you want to run out and buy all available copies of Smilin Through, you may want to check your pulse. You'll love it, as long as you aren't a cold-hearted beast. Its the cat's mieow. So put on the kettle for some mighty good tea, settle back with Mrs Crouch's sinkers and dumplings and maybe a slender cookie or two, and watch this fabulous romantic movie right now. 100 out of 10!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Smilin' Through

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$851,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1