Happy Land (1943)

In a typical American Midwestern city, Hartfield, Iowa, Lew Marsh (Don Ameche) is the owner of a drugstore. Everyone knows Lew and knew his grandfather, old "Gramp" Marsh (Harry Carey), who... See full summary »

Director:

Irving Pichel

Writers:

Kathryn Scola (screenplay), Julien Josephson (screenplay)

Stars:

Don Ameche, Frances Dee, Harry Carey

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Don Ameche	...	Lew Marsh
Frances Dee	...	Agnes Marsh
Harry Carey	...	Gramp
Ann Rutherford	...	Lenore Prentiss
Cara Williams	...	Gretchen Barry
Richard Crane	...	Russell 'Rusty' Marsh
Harry Morgan	...	Anton 'Tony' Cavrek (as Henry Morgan)
Minor Watson	...	Judge Colvin
Dickie Moore	...	Peter Orcutt
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
June Preston	...	Mrs. Prentiss daughter

Storyline

In a typical American Midwestern city, Hartfield, Iowa, Lew Marsh (Don Ameche) is the owner of a drugstore. Everyone knows Lew and knew his grandfather, old "Gramp" Marsh (Harry Carey), who had passed on. One evening, Lew and his wife, Agnes (Frances Dee), reminisce lovingly about their son, "Rusty" (Richard Crane), when a telegram arrives from the Navy Department informing them that "Rusty" had been killed in action. Lew becomes bitter, avoids people, refuses to go near the family drugstore. "Gramp" appears before Lew and takes him in hand and together, they revisit the past: Lew's childhood; "Gramp" as a Civil War veteran; Lew's courtship of Agnes; the birth of "Rusty"; Lew as a WWI soldier; Rusty's boyhood days and into his attempt to decide between Lenore Prentiss and Gretchen Barry, and how Lenore becomes his girl just before he joins the Navy. This excursion into the past takes away Lew's bitterness and he now sees what America means.

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Plot Keywords:

drugstore | telegram | killed in action | iowa | western union | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cara Williams and Harry Morgan both had supporting roles as friends of Rusty but never shared screen time. Both would go on 17 years later as the leads in Pete and Gladys (1960) for 2 seasons.

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Goofs

Right before Rusty's shipmate, Tony, arrives at Mr. Marsh's Pharmacy, it is near closing time, and dark outside. When Mr. Marsh takes Tony home to meet Mrs. Marsh, she says she was just getting ready to fix lunch, although it is night time.

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Quotes

Gramp: You know, Lew, that's one thing God intended in America forever - kids have got to play Indian. Bows and arrows, war clubs, Daniel Boone, Sittin' Bull... nobody must be allowed to make them stop.

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Connections

Version of The 20th Century-Fox Hour: In Times Like These (1956)

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Soundtracks

Smiles
(uncredited)
Music by Lee S. Roberts
Played when Lew goes back to the shop to work

User Reviews

Happy Land is a great look at life of an old time druggist.

Years ago (1980's) I happened on this film just as it was beginning on AMC. At that time I was a newly licensed pharmacist (less than 5 years experience.) I couldn't stop watching it. There on the screen was the story of a druggist like I'd always thought it should be--respected in his community, devoted to his fellow citizens' health, and always available night and day. This was the life I'd thought I was supposed to have before the reality of modern health insurance had fully settled on me. Don Ameche played the role perfectly. Harry Carry as the ghost of 'Gramps', Ameche's grandpa and druggist mentor, could not have been better cast. The central role of the Marsh drugstore was also perfectly set. This was like being in the era. Even a non-pharmacist would find this to be a charming look at an older generations' simpler life. Even with a world-war raging, the drugstore with its soda fountain and variety of dry goods was always there. People met their future spouses at the soda fountain, were able to find just the right remedy for what ailed and could get there favorite bath oils,etc. This is a must-see film for any pharmacist or anyone else who longs for the good-old-days. Anyone would find the story moving and even though most scenes take place in the drugstore, there is plenty of story to keep your attention. This film should be released on DVD. I know every pharmacist would want a copy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

Happy Land

Filming Locations:

Healdsburg, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

73 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1