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
Martha Mears	...	Night Club Singer
Edna Holland	...	Dean Whiting
Jerry Paris	...	Usher
Marietta Canty	...	Grace
Barbara Woodell	...	Red Cross receptionist

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:

Angst vor der Schande

Filming Locations:

Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, 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

Teresa Wright was originally cast as Eloise Winters, but after a dispute with producer Samuel Goldwyn, she was replaced at the last minute by Susan Hayward. Hayward went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance, but lost to Olivia de Havilland for her performance in The Heiress (1949).

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Quotes

Henry Winters: Don't worry about Mrs. Winters. We have a large house with 5 bathrooms.

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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

A heart-wrenching love story.

Brooklyn born Susan Hayward had a 30 year career playing tough broads who hid a heart of gold underneath a steel exterior. "My Foolish Heart" is a wartime drama in which Hayward tells her story in flashback after admitting that she was once a nice girl. We then see her meeting soldier Dana Andrews, a handsome young man she falls head over heels in love with. War breaks out, and the two are torn apart. To say more would reveal plot twists best kept for a first viewing. However, what I will say is that don't let Hayward's hardness at the beginning of the film fool you: she is a truly vulnerable character capable of loving. The writers have created a very believable leading heroine, plus some wonderful supporting characters. Especially good is Robert Keith as her lovable dad who has a whiny wife (Jessie Royce Landis) to contend with. The scenes between Hayward and her parents are very well written, and almost as good as the love story itself. Andrews, although somewhat of a wooden actor, instills his character with warmth and charm that make the viewer understand why Hayward would fall so desperately in love. This is a top grade romantic drama for which Hayward was deservedly nominated for an Oscar. Its a shame that Keith was overlooked. There are some private scenes between Keith and Hayward that are truly riveting. Highly recommended!