Since You Went Away (1944)

With her husband away to fight in World War II, a housewife struggles to care for their two daughters - and a pair of lodgers who have moved in - alone.

Directors:

John Cromwell, Edward F. Cline (uncredited)

Writers:

Margaret Buell Wilder (based on an adaptation of her book), David O. Selznick (screen play: by the producer)

Stars:

Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claudette Colbert	...	Anne Hilton
Jennifer Jones	...	Jane Hilton
Joseph Cotten	...	Lt. Tony Willett
Shirley Temple	...	Brig Hilton
Monty Woolley	...	Col. William G. Smollett
Lionel Barrymore	...	Clergyman
Robert Walker	...	Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd
Hattie McDaniel	...	Fidelia
Agnes Moorehead	...	Emily Hawkins
Alla Nazimova	...	Zofia Koslowska (as Nazimova)
Albert Bassermann	...	Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden
Gordon Oliver	...	Marine Officer Seeking Room
Keenan Wynn	...	Lt. Solomon
Guy Madison	...	Hal Smith
Craig Stevens	...	Danny Williams

Storyline

While husband Tim is away during World War II, Anne Hilton copes with problems on the homefront. Taking in a lodger, Colonel Smollett, to help make ends meet and dealing with shortages and rationing are minor inconveniences compared to the love affair daughter Jane and the Colonel's grandson conduct.

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Plot Keywords:

homefront | lodger | rationing | praying | bedtime prayer | 

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Taglines:

David O. Selznick's first production since "Gone With the Wind" and "Rebecca"

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

At 1 hour, 15 minutes, and 38 seconds, Jennifer Jones's performance in this movie is the longest ever nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

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Goofs

Colonel William G. Smollett introduces himself as such when he responds to the advertisement for an officer boarder, but is called 'Colonel Smollie' by Bridget whilst tending the victory garden, and again at his birthday party with his cake having 'Colonel Smollie' written on it. Although Bridget and the other family members know his correct surname and, at the beginning, address him by it, they later, clearly address him as 'Smollie' as an affectionate family nickname.

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Quotes

Anne Hilton: [as she passes by Colonel Smollett, who is fussing with a bunch of shoes] Having difficulties, Colonel?
Colonel William G. Smollett: Oh, hello, Mrs. Hilton. Do you by any chance know where I might get some shoe polish that isn't made of old sausages?
Anne Hilton: [Chuckles] I wish I could get some sausage that isn't made of old shoe polish!

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Crazy Credits

The on-screen screenplay credit reads "Screen Play by the Producer."

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Alternate Versions

The DVD release from MGM restores the film's original entr'acte music, and uses a series of different still photos as the backdrop for both the overture and entr'acte. Previous video and laserdisc releases from CBS/Fox repeated the overture as the intermission music, and used the same still photo (the fireplace shown in the opening credits) for both overture and entr'acte. (In original theatrical showings overture and entr'acte music played over a black screen - the visual montages were added for the home video releases.)

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Jennifer Jones: Portrait of a Lady (2001)

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Soundtracks

The Farmer in the Dell
(uncredited)
Traditional children's song
Sung a cappella by Robert Walker

User Reviews

The premier Sunday afternoon experience.

I saw this yesterday on TCM. Yes, it is sentimental, patriotic, and a bit syrupy in the dialog. But it was released in 1944 (filmed right in the middle of the war), so the sentiment and especially the times are aptly reflected. More than anything else, the film's virtues are the performances. Claudette Colbert reminds me very much of Norma Shearer's matriarch in 'The Women:' warm, intelligent, and very likable, but surrounded by the constrictions and circumstances of the time. (It's interesting to hear her tell Joseph Cotten two hours into the film that she feels useless and is not contributing to the war effort when in fact she's been contributing all along.) Cotten is wonderful as her surrogate mate (still carrying a torch after all these years) and daughters Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple are quite good. The standout scene, of course is Jones and real-life husband Robert Walker parting at the train station. The Steiner score (echoing the chugging of the train) and especially Jones' tearful run as the train departs are especially heartbreaking. (Does she sense her soldier's fate? There's something almost psychic in her face as she reads the engraving on the watch.) Good performances also from Agnes Moorehead and Selznick veteran Hattie McDaniel. Nominated for a ton of Oscars, and deservedly so.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Yiddish

Release Date:

20 July 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Since You Went Away

Filming Locations:

Richmond, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,257,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selznick International Pictures, Vanguard Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min (1949 re-release) 177 min (DVD) 172 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1