![]() ![]() While the reality of WWII is far removed from ours in 2019, I think the romance of RANDOM HARVEST plays a role in why the film remains so beloved today. Miniver, Troyan shared excerpts from a letter a Navy Officer wrote Garson lauding the picture and her performance for epitomizing “the sailor’s dream: a happy home, a family, and a good wife.” That brand of stoic devotion, loyalty and optimism was not only highly relatable to wartime audiences, millions of whom were filled with the same emotions awaiting the return of their loved ones fighting overseas, but it also hit a chord with those protecting the country, too. In RANDOM HARVEST, Garson portrayed a woman that WWII-era viewers had come to know her as: a composed, valiant presence, privately suffering yet steadfast in her faith-in this case, faith that Smithy’s memory comes back. But like the characters onscreen, viewers had to keep pushing forward during tough times. In Ten Movies at a Time, John DiLeo called RANDOM HARVEST an “essential piece of escapism for the home-front audience.” Just as Smithy and Paula experienced personal tragedies as a result of war, so many in America did as well. “One of the truly fine motion pictures of this or any year is ‘Random Harvest,’ an emotional experience of rare quality,” The Hollywood Reporter commented, further praising the “great, enduring love story it stirringly brings to life.”īut what accounted for the film’s massive success? A superior production, of course, and romantic idol Colman and Garson at the zenith of her popularity didn’t hurt either. Garson and Colman’s delicate, compassionate performances along with the warmth and refinement imbued in the script and Mervyn LeRoy’s sensitive direction won the movie mostly rave reviews. One New York exhibitor even expressed regret that they weren’t able to extend the film’s run, calling it “a great audience picture, which made its own way into the hearts of the people.” ![]() MINIVER, another Garson vehicle.) RANDOM HARVEST went on to earn over $8 million, making it the third highest grossing movie of the year. (The picture broke the 10-week record set earlier in 1942 by MRS. ![]() The Hollywood Reporter predicted it would break box-office records, and that it did, in particular a big one: RANDOM HARVEST ran for 11 weeks at Radio City Music Hall, screening as many as seven times a day, starting as early as 7:45am. But fate works in mysterious ways, especially as engineered by faithful Paula, who takes a job as Charles’ secretary in hopes that he’ll remember her.īased upon James Hilton’s 1941 best-selling novel, RANDOM HARVEST had ‘hit’ written all over it. As the wealthy Charles Rainier, he returns to his family and their business. Soon thereafter, a freak accident Smithy suffers restores the memory he previously lost and wipes all recollection of Paula and their life together. During the revelries, he meets dance hall girl Paula (Garson), and they fall in love, marry and have a child. RANDOM HARVEST begins with amnesiac WWI vet Smithy (Colman) fleeing the asylum he’s been recuperating in when peace is declared. “I know I am prejudiced, but I think it is one of the half dozen greatest love stories,” she said in an interview quoted in Michael Troyan’s biography A Rose for Mrs. Upon filming the last scene of the film, star Ronald Colman commented to director Mervyn LeRoy: “This is one picture I hate to finish!” Even fellow star Greer Garson called it her favorite of all her movies – the “happiest” one she ever made. Actor Gene Wilder considered it one of the most romantic movies of all time. Classic film fans who are also wise enough to follow Carl Reiner on Twitter may have noticed that he extols the virtues of RANDOM HARVEST (‘42), his favorite film, on a regular basis. ![]()
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