My Son John (1952)

The Jeffersons are the ideal picture-perfect all-American family in a small town, but their eldest son John returns home after a long absence spouting views that cause them to worry he may be a Communist.

Director:

Leo McCarey

Writers:

Myles Connolly, John Lee Mahin (adaptation)

Stars:

Robert Walker, Helen Hayes, Van Heflin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Helen Hayes	...	Lucille Jefferson
Van Heflin	...	Stedman
Dean Jagger	...	Dan Jefferson
Robert Walker	...	John Jefferson
Minor Watson	...	Dr. Carver
Frank McHugh	...	Father O'Dowd
Richard Jaeckel	...	Chuck Jefferson
James Young	...	Ben Jefferson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lee Aaker	...	Boy (scenes deleted)
David Bond	...	College Professor (scenes deleted)
Gail Bonney	...	Jail Matron (scenes deleted)
Russ Conway	...	FBI Agent (scenes deleted)
Bill McLean	...	Parcel Post Man (scenes deleted)
Frances Morris	...	Secretary (scenes deleted)
Erskine Sanford	...	Professor (scenes deleted)

Storyline

John Jefferson comes home from a trip overseas a strangely changed man. His already nervous wreck of a mother is distraught by the way he seems to be feigning feelings for her and his father that he no longer has. Plus, his odd refusal to accompany the family to church on Sunday not only disturbs her but their priest as well. He also seems to be making fun of and smirking at his father's jubilant expressions of patriotism. His poor mother cannot imagine what could have caused such a change in her favorite son, who used to be loving and church-going and now seems remote from both. He also gets strange calls and goes off to strange "meetings" with no explanation. He is also being watched by an FBI agent who comes to the home and greatly disturbs John's mother with his odd questions about him. Eventually the horrible truth comes out: John is a Communist spy! No wonder he has no real feelings for his family and shuns the church he once loved!During a high-speed chase, John is killed, but ...

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Plot Keywords:

cold war | communist | father son relationship | mother son relationship | 1950s | 

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Taglines:

You'll be shocked by John's scandalous secret !

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite saying he believes in the Bible, Dan Jefferson (Dean Jagger) makes a couple of errors in referring to it. It is a big fish, not a whale that swallowed Jonah, and 'Honor thy father and mother' is the fifth commandment, not the fourth, as he says.

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Quotes

Dan Jefferson: John!
John Jefferson: Oh, Father, let's not go into it any more.
Dan Jefferson: Now I've, I've got another subject for you.
Dan Jefferson: As your father, you and I are going to have a talk, a good talk, away from your Mother. And it's about you, son.
John Jefferson: Well, if you'd enjoy it, Father...
Dan Jefferson: Well, I don't know whether you will. But as I told you, we're alert. And we ARE alert.
John Jefferson: You just said that.
Dan Jefferson: Yes, and you sound to me like, like one of those guys that we should be alert about.
John Jefferson: One of those guys?
Dan Jefferson: I just said that you sounded like one, I didn't say that...
[...]

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Connections

Edited from Strangers on a Train (1951)

User Reviews

What a weird movie

Somewhat paranoiac drama looking at the perceived communist threat in the 40s and 50s. Overwrought in both direction and performance-Helen Hayes in particular seems on the very verge throughout the film. Walker died suddenly during the making of the film and his performance was completed by cobbling together outtakes from Strangers on a Train and the use of a stand-in in some scenes, its easy to pick out most of the these and it cast an odd melancholy pall over the picture. More of an interesting artifact of a troubled time in US history than a good example of film making. McCarey could be an exceptional director who made many fine films and possessed a few Oscars but he is decidedly off his game here. A strange experience.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

My Son John

Filming Locations:

Manassas, Virginia, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rainbow Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1