My Foolish Heart (1949)

After being visited by an old friend, a woman recalls her true love, the man she met and lost years ago.

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screen play), Philip G. Epstein (screen play)

Stars:

Dana Andrews, Susan Hayward, Kent Smith

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dana Andrews	...	Walt Dreiser
Susan Hayward	...	Eloise Winters
Kent Smith	...	Lew Wengler
Lois Wheeler	...	Mary Jane
Jessie Royce Landis	...	Martha Winters
Robert Keith	...	Henry Winters
Gigi Perreau	...	Ramona
Karin Booth	...	Miriam Ball
Todd Karns	...	Her escort (as Tod Karns)
Phillip Pine	...	Sgt. Lucey (as Philip Pine)
Martha Mears	...	Night Club Singer
Edna Holland	...	Dean Whiting
Jerry Paris	...	Usher
Marietta Canty	...	Grace
Barbara Wooddell	...	Red Cross receptionist (as Barbara Woodell)

Storyline

After a long absence, Mary Jane visits her schoolfriend Eloise, and Eloise's daughter Ramona. Eloise drinks too much and is unhappily married to Lew Wengler. Eloise falls asleep and remembers her time with her true love, Walt Dreiser, at the beginning of the Second World War. She recalls the events that led up to her split with Mary Jane, and how Lew married Eloise rather than Mary Jane.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut

Filming Locations:

Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mark Robson was the editor of Cat People starring this movie's co-star Kent Smith. Robson then directed Youth Run Wild, both for Val Lewton, that also featured Kent Smith.

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Goofs

After the December 7, 1941 football game at the Polo Grounds, Eloise is climbing the stairs to the train platform, and the ends of her head scarf are out.. In the next shot, the ends of her scarf are tucked inside her coat. (A double was probably used at the Polo Grounds as Eloise's face is not seen climbing the stairs, and Susan Hayward was used in the next shots done at the studio.)

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Quotes

Walt Dreiser: [to Eloise] May I kiss you the way I would a rich and loathsome aunt?

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Connections

Referenced in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show: Gracie's Checking Account (1950)

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Soundtracks

My Foolish Heart
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Ned Washington
Performed by Martha Mears (uncredited)

User Reviews

Unforgettable Romance

Susan Hayward and Dana Andrews will take you to the heights of joy and deepest despair as two lovers who are forced to live a lifetime in a few weeks as America enters World War II. As the film begins, the war is over and Eloise Winters (Hayward) is married to college sweetheart Lou Wengler (Kent Smith). A visit from college roommate Mary Jane (Lois Wheeler) prompts Hayward to relive the wartime memory of her true love, Walt Dreiser (Andrews). You will be enchanted by Andrews and Hayward's first meeting when sparks fly and an extremely handsome, charming Andrews sweeps Hayward off her feet to the tune of Victor Young's heart stirring theme. I dare say no man looked better on the 1940s screen than the sophisticated, yet easy-going Dana Andrews in this film. Nominated for an Academy Award, Hayward is exceptional in her ability to wear her emotions as a woman deeply in love. Don't miss whimsical moments with outstanding characters actors Robert Keith and Jessie Royce Landis as Hayward's parents. Based on a story by J.D. Salinger, "My Foolish Heart" is a fine film to curl up with on a rainy Sunday afternoon to relive the first blush of your one true love.