A Man to Remember (1938) User Reviews

Excellent performance by Ellis

[moorich · 7/10 · 11 April 2007]

This melodrama creaks with age but the best performance by far was given by one of the oldest actors--Edward Ellis. Many actors who came to movies late in their careers are quite mannered and stagy. Some actors--Charles Middleton comes to mind--turned this stiffness into a virtue but more often, it simply dates the movie. I was very surprised at the subtlety of Ellis' performance as he managed to display a variety of emotions with underplayed touches. It reminded me of the best performances of Marie Dressler, a high compliment.

It is a shameless tearjerker about a small town doctor trying to warn his community about a potential polio epidemic which angers town leaders because it will mean canceling the local fair in which they are all invested. A tearjerker but then Marie Dressler jerked a few tears in her day.

One funny sight is poor, young Lee Bowman with the waistline of his pants resting closer to his armpits than his waist.

Richard Moore

The Country Doctor

[johno-21 · 7/10 · 5 September 2009]

I recently saw this on TCM and it was the first time I had seen this film. The only surviving print of this film was discovered in a vault in the Netherlands and was preserved by the Netherlands Film Museum so it is in it's original English language form but with Dutch subtitles. the credits are in Dutch also as are notes and letters shown in the film and the credits and notes and letters appear to be of the same age of the film so it appears that the studio added them themselves for Dutch distribution when the film first was released in 1938. There are no subtitles in English however for the notes and letters pertaining to the story that appear frequently during the film that the preservationists would have needed to add for English-speaking audiences. This is based on the Katherine Havilland-Taylor story "Failure" that was made into the the 1933 film "One Man's journey" with Lionell Barrymore in the lead role. In this version for it's Dutch audience it is translated as The Country Doctor. Garson Kanin who enjoyed a long career as a writer and director and was nominated three times for an Oscar for his screenplays makes his debut as director here. Although best-known for his screenplays, he didn't adapt this story for film. Instead, Dalton Trumbo who became one of the blacklisted "Hollywood 10" along with Kanin's brother Michael, turned in the screenplay. Proliffic B-Movie cinematographer J. Roy Hunt did a great job photographing this film. It has an all-B-Movie cast with Edward Ellis as Dr. John Abbot, Lee Bowman as his son Dick Abbott and Anne Shirley as Dr. Abbott's adopted daughter Jean in the principal roles. Dr. Abbott is a small town doctor whose patients are poor farmers, factory workers the the indigent and in his life he gets little respect from the more respected medical community and wealthier townspeople until late in his career when he saves the towns children from an infantile polio epidemic the would soon sweep the neighboring counties. It's a sentimental story and kind of sappy at times but it has its charm and Ellis is wonderful in the title role. A mildly disturbing sub story to the film is a developing romantic relationship between Dr. Abbott's son Dick who himself has gone on to become a doctor and Dick's adopted sister Jean that really doesn't seem to be necessary or even make sense to the film. It's strange and only seems to imply that they may have had a relationship back before they became adults. It's a fairly good film however and a slice of small town Americana of the 30's and worth a look. I would give it a 7.0 out of 10.

Remake of "One Man's Journey"

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 22 July 2015]

This is a lovely film with a beautiful performance by Edward Ellis as John Abbott, a doctor who practices among the poor and down in their luck in his home town. The film has an interesting pedigree. It's directed by Garson Kanin and written by Dalton Trumbo. It was made in 15 days for $84,000, in less time than scheduled and under its $100,000 budget.

The only print of this that could be found was in the Netherlands, so the subtitles are in Dutch, as are any handwritten notes.

Abbott is a widower with a young son, Dick. They settle in Westport, Connecticut. There is no hospital there, and Abbott works sometimes for pigs, potatoes, whatever he can get.

After he delivers a baby girl to a man whose wife dies while giving birth, he finds that baby on his doorstep. He names her Jean. She grows up to be Anne Shirley, and Dick grows up to be Lee Bowman. And the two become romantically involved. Times have changed - even though they're not related, you'd never see that in a movie today.

One night, Jean's date, Howard Sykes, accidentally shoots her in the arm. It's not serious, but since his father George (Granville Bates) is the richest man in town, Abbott blackmails him into building the hospital. Sykes, in retaliation, makes sure he can't practice there.

Edward Ellis was on Broadway and also was a actor and producer there in the early part of the century; he started in films in 1917 and worked into his seventies. In this movie, he was 68 years old.

A Man to Remember is sentimental and I have to admit I cried, being a sap. It's about a man who, despite disappointments and resistance to his ideas, contributes a great deal to the world and doesn't let anything get him down. We can all take a lesson from a life well lived.

An early cinematic masterpiece and character study.

[Phil-221 · 25 June 1999]

This is one of the great unheralded films...called movies in those days...of the century. I saw it the age of 10 and it remained clearly in my mind for 50 years. Now that IMDB has refreshed my memory with the names of the director (Garson Kanin) and screenwriter (Dalton Trumbo), I understand why it remains one of my favorites in the entire history of the cinema.

Sentimental yarn traces the life of a country doctor...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 11 April 2007]

Dalton Trumbo wrote the screenplay for this sentimental tale of an unselfish country doctor who cared for rich and poor alike. EDWARD ELLIS is Dr. John Abbott and little DICKIE JONES is his son. Jones was the little boy who supplied the voice for Disney's PINOCCHIO. When an orphan girl is left on Ellis' doorstep, the orphan girl grows up to be ANNE SHIRLEY and LEE BOWMAN is the grown-up Dickie Jones.

It's a leisurely tale that moves slowly without the usual melodramatics one might expect in a story of a country doctor--with the only dramatic touch coming well past the midway point with a possible epidemic of infantile paralysis causing the doctor to advise the townspeople to cancel the upcoming country fair. His theory meets with resistance until the feared outbreak occurs and then the townspeople can't thank him enough for all his work.

There's a Frank Capra feel to this kind of story, but director Garson Kanin keeps it pretty well in command and prevents the sentimentality from becoming too thick.

Summing up: Good, but not quite the inspiring yarn it was intended to be thanks to below level production values and rather routine performances.

A remake that offered few improvements on the original

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 12 April 2007]

RKO, Warner Brothers and several other studios remade many films during the 1930s--often less than a decade later. As a result, when watching one of these films, it's common to have a strong sense of déjà vu--realizing after a few minutes that you'd seen this before, but with different actors. As for me, I almost always score the remakes lower as they rarely improved upon the original idea and lack originality.

This film is a remake of ONE MAN'S JOURNEY--which was also made by RKO just a few years earlier in 1933. I scored the original film a 7 on IMDb, as it was an exceptional film with fine acting by Lionel Barrymore and May Robson in the leads. This remake, while good, wasn't all that different and starred the relatively unknown actor, Edward Ellis. While Ellis was very good and seemed like a real doctor, he was hamstrung by the fact that Lionel Barrymore was such a wonderful and exceptional performer in the original--it just wasn't possible for him to outdo Barrymore. The biggest names in the film are Anne Shirley and Lee Bowman--neither which were exactly household names! They all did a competent job, but once again you can't help but compare them to the originals.

There were a few plot changes, though nothing major. Ms. Shirley's role was expanded in this film and she did NOT return to live with her biological father like in the original and May Robson's wonderful part was eliminated (this was a BIG mistake). Additionally, Garson Kanin and Dalton Trumbo gave the film a strong Populist and anti-big business slant that was NOT in the original film. In the original, ALL the people of the small town tended to take the poor old doctor for granted, whereas here the average common man DID but the evil business men did not. Considering that both director Kanin and writer Trumbo were both later blacklisted in the 1950s for their leftist sentiments, this isn't all that surprising that they'd give this slant. This isn't criticism of their politics--just how flavored this screenplay. This slant didn't hurt the film much at all, but it did tend to portray the rich in a rather one-dimensional manner. On one hand, this made the film more important as a political and social statement, but on the other it totally changed the meaning behind the original film and lacked the sentimentality as well. Still, all in all, this is an entertaining little B-movie that is well worth your time. BUT, if you only want to see one version, I do recommend you see ONE MAN'S JOURNEY--it's just a bit better.

A couple final notes. First, the only known surviving copy of the film was in a Dutch archive and has Dutch language subtitles. This isn't usually a problem and you soon don't notice this--except when letters are shown on the screen--they are in Dutch and TCM did NOT provide an interpretation of the writing! Second, a very odd and kind of creepy aspect of this film I didn't mention above is the relationship between Bowman and Shirley. They are step-brother and sister and late in the film, they seem VERY attracted towards each other. While this isn't technically incest, some might be creeped out by this!

old fashion heartwarmers

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 24 September 2020]

A crowd has gathered to pay respect to the funeral procession of Dr. John Abbott. The movie flashbacks to the moment when Abbott arrives with his young son Dick. Over the years, he treats both the poor and the rich. Money is never the issue. He even adopts a baby left on his doorstep.

The Dutch subtitle is a little weird. The major problem there is that any letter or note gets translated into Dutch. It's not impossible. One gets the essentials of those notes. There is the shooting and hospital plot. I wish it's not a shooting. The horse trading is a bit unseemly. The epidemic story is as timely as ever but it does end up with the audience being forced to root for childhood paralysis. I would also push back on the sibling romance. Other than all that, it is old fashion but it is in line with a long tradition of these old fashion movie about people of duty and service. It's Mr. Holland's Opus. It's It's a Wonderful Life. The basic structure is set for those tearjerkers but it needs some adjustments.

A Man and Film to Remember

[Mike-764 · 9/10 · 27 February 2007]

Opening at the funeral of John Abbott, doctor of the small town, three men that Abbott owed money to are eager to wait for Abbott's assets to be distributed so they can reclaim their money. Abbott's effects however are a series of notes each with their own story to tell, such as a remittance for a doctor's fee for the birth of a baby girl, Jean, whom Abbott adopts, paid bills where the doctor provided everything he could for sacks of potatoes or a couple of dollars, as well as other memories of Abbott helping the town get their hospital, stopping a polio epidemic, sacrificing an advanced career in a more prosperous city, watching his son, Dick, following in his dad's footsteps, eventually taking over his practice, and more which make the men think that Dr. Abbott has paid his debts many times over. The film is a great slice of small town Americana that is very moving and brilliantly presented (by first time director Kanin). Edward Ellis in probably his only leading role is perfect even surpassing Lionel Barrymore's understated performance in an earlier version, One Man's Journey. Shirley and Bowman also lend fine support and a great mix of character actors play up the sentimentality of the film. Sad thing is the only surviving print is a Dutch subtitled version, but it is in good quality and it is a rare treat to watch. Rating, 9

Delightful, inspiring story

[mkelly54 · 9/10 · 21 July 2011]

To use the cliché, "they don't make them like this anymore," is perfect for this classic. I could write volumes about the power of a generous human spirit overcoming the surge of economic indecency, but I'll leave that for someone else.

One technique I really enjoy in this film is the use of the doctor's notes, bills and other bits of information to introduce the different chapters of the film. It's a great literary vehicle and was used often in silent films. It also reminded me of some of the chapter introductions used in R.F. Delderfield's work.

The one thing I will state: if the devils on Wall Street and the banking community maintained half the community spirit as the old doctor in this story, we would all be much better for it.

Ethics and a purity of heart, what a wonderful concept. This is a great film for a Church Popcorn theology class, high school students considering a medical career or anyone questioning their community spirit.

Agree fully

[goller2001 · 8/10 · 23 December 2007]

I just saw this film last night on TCM (Sunday morning at 2am - couldn't sleep). My only complaint is that I missed the first 30 minutes, and wish I had seen the entire film. What a great film that has been missed apparently by most movie lovers. I never heard of it before, and it's quite charming, and the message is clear. This isn't your average big budget film. In fact in a way it's a rather low budget film, that still delivers a simple and clear message perfectly, and in a way that is charming and meaningful. An interesting article in Time Magazine can be found by typing A Man to Remember 1938 in google. It's a good read for sure.

It has a few touching moments

[Handlinghandel · 5/10 · 7 March 2008]

The movie of which this is a remake didn't impress me much. The remake is about even with the original, though maybe slightly better. We feel for the title character. He is a doctor who's down on his luck and tries to go home again. He gets home but the citizens toss him scraps. He becomes an essentially unpaid, under-appreciated doctor to the poor.

The acting is pretty good. It held my attention. (Though, I must say, the Dutch titles, subtitles, and translations of every sign and letter were bizarre.) OK, now I wasn't there: However, Garson Kanin? Direxcting rural melodrama? I guess every director has to get a start. But this is light years away from his Hepburn and Tracy movies and from what he and wife Ruth Gordon wrote.

The actor playing the doctor is kind of blank. I prefer his approach to the original film's actor's (naming no names.) But could a less congenial director have possibly been found than that bon vivant, Gason Kanin?

A film with values that seem to be lost in our culture

[camille-05424 · 8/10 · 6 November 2017]

This film shows through entertainment values that still should be in our culture today. Sadly, the value of things that give only temporary happiness are seen in our society. This film shows man's humanity as well as its failures. Edward Ellis did a splendid piece of acting under a novice director at that time showing the character with his strength and weaknesses. The views of this film with its script demonstrate the fullness of a man both for the father and his family as well. A film that should not be missed.

Okay Remake

[Michael_Elliott · 27 February 2008]

Man to Remember, A (1938)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Remake of One Man's Journey, which I watched a few days ago. This time Edward Ellis plays a country doctor who grows old and poor because of his kind heart, which won't allow him to turn away sick people even if they don't have the money to pay him. Garson Kanin directed the screenplay by Dalton Trumbo and it's pretty faithful to the original movie. The fact that it's too faithful is the only real problem with the picture because if you've seen the original then you know everything that's going to happen here. Other than that I'd say this version is somewhat better as the story is better laid out and there's a new opening and closing, which suits the story very well. Ellis is terrific in his role and brings a lot of class and warmth to his character.

A gloss of sentimentality over deeper stuff

[jacksflicks · 9/10 · 3 April 2015]

This movie is so good that it transcends the sentimentality of the era and the distraction of Dutch subtitles and substitute graphics (you can figure them out) on the only extant print.

Three things struck me:

First, we know Edward Ellis as the title character (Winant) from The Thin Man. He was compelling, but of course got bumped off early. It was a pleasure to see Ellis in almost every scene of this movie.

Second, Anne Shirley was just as sweet and lovely as an ingénue here as she'd been, playing a little girl, in Anne of Green Gables.

Third, the movie did not succumb to Hollywood's conventional insistence on redemption. Most characters were greedy, parsimonious ingrates, from beginning to end. I think the social conscience of Garson Kanin and Dalton Trumbo had something to do with it.

Here is a forgotten gem, whose preservation fans of American cinema should be grateful for.

A great story that is so much in line with the time of the movie

[jdchan-149-9938 · 10/10 · 2 November 2014]

This is a great story that unfortunately many have not seen or even aware of its existence. When you view this movie remember it was made in 1938 in the middle of the great depression. how a person is willing to sacrifice for others and not expect much if anything in return. It is not so reflective of our modern times and thinking. The script is not unusual but the acting in my opinion is so honest. It is sad that the only version is a copy from the Netherlands. I do not see this movie listed in any rating for 1938. Is this because it was lost or am I just wrong. If you get a chance please watch and enjoy this great story of compassion.

Hauntingly Timely

[rhmacl · 9/10 · 18 September 2020]

Early drama of a physician practicing during less formal times, yet confronted with public health issues that could have been ripped from today's headlines.

Touching, heartfelt, soulful reminder of how integrity, science and medicine persevere in the face ignorance, greed and indifference...sound familiar?

Some gave all

[dbdumonteil · 15 March 2012]

A remake of "one man's journey" (1933)," a man to remember" has no big names such as Lionel Barrymore and Joel McCrea (not still the western star he would become) but it has Dalton Trumbo's writing,which is a good asset.

The two screenplays roughly follow the same pattern:a doctor devotes his whole life to heal the poor,and helps his son to make a brilliant career when he stays an obscure physician.

The film goes full circle:it begins with Abott's funeral and ends with the letter signed by the whole town which falls from his hand ;the scene of the people coming to thank their dear doctor is more moving than the reception of the first version in which a leading light of the medical world praises him to the skies ;the names were changed:Watt became Abott,Letty -adopted since she was born in the two movies- became Jean (who this time marries Dick,the doctor's son).

The plot is less melodramatic (Jean's romance is much less "serious" that in Robertson's work and the part of the prodigal father is simplified );it has also more humor ,notably in the scene of the notary and the three vultures ;I would recommend this version ;the other one seems muddled by comparison.

Wonderful film with a title difficult to remember

[xenaspikes · 10/10 · 3 April 2011]

It was about a year ago that I saw most of this movie on AMC. I was very much taken by it. Recently, I have been searching and searching for the title. Using keywords like "epidemic", "polio", "infantile paralysis", and "The Man Who" in my searches were NOT successful. It was a pure fluke that trying to remember the title prompted me to look for "Remember" in the title. Yay! I am not certain just how close to a true story this is because I never bothered to look up the main character's name to check out the real person. But with an old 1938 movie, I am inclined to believe it is a true story because frankly, the world was more honest back then. Like some of the other reviewers, I agree that this movie stays with you for a long time. It reaches into your heart and gives it a tug that will last forever. I am ready to see this film again.