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 (book), Margaret Buell Wilder (adaptation)

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

lodger | homefront | rationing | praying | bedtime prayer | 

---

Taglines:

Great! . . . A Story So Warm . . . So Human . . . So Real . . . you'll wish it might never end! With seven great stars who were never greater!

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Yiddish

Release Date:

20 July 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desde que te fuiste

Filming Locations:

Church of the Angels - 1100 Avenue 64, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,400,000 (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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tay Garnett directed part of the film uncredited; Edward F. Cline, a specialist in comedies, was brought in to direct the comedy sequences; producer David O. Selznick filled in as director for four days when director John Cromwell was not available.

---

Goofs

Joseph Cotten's navy uniform has one military ribbon in a few scenes and at the dance his uniform has pilot's wings and no ribbon.

---

Quotes

Emily Hawkins: Good evening, Lieutenant Willett. I didn't know you were back in town.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Oh, yes. I've learned a new trick. The Navy thought I ought to bring it home. You know, for purposes of moral.
Emily Hawkins: I thought you already knew all the tricks, Lieutenant.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Touché, as we used to say in Minneapolis.

---

Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: This is a story of the Unconquerable Fortress: the American Home . . . 1943

---

Connections

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

---

Soundtracks

Adeste Fidelis (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
(circa 1743) (uncredited)
Music attributed to John Reading
Played in the score at the end

User Reviews

This one holds up well

Saw it last evening on TCM. Excellent performances by a stellar cast, filmed at a time when Hollywood and American movie audiences were fully experiencing World War 2 on the "home-front". This film has somehow managed to avoid becoming "dated" and remains entertaining, appealing and instructive to a contemporary audience. The story is primarily about a middle class family and its attempts to deal with problems caused by the war. The characters are decent people confronted by issues that test their faith and ability to carry on with life in a normal way. I particularly enjoyed the performances of Claudette Colbert and Monty Woolley, although the entire cast did excellent jobs. The music was appealing and appropriate and helped create the mood intended. TCM played the opening "Overture" which added to the production quality. Three hours is a long sitting but this one is worth it.