ON VALENTINE'S DAY

US, 1986, 106 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Broderick, William Converse- Roberts, Hallie Foote, Richard Jenkins, Irma G. Hall.
Directed by Ken Harrison.

On Valentine's Day is based on a play by Horton Foote (writer of the screenplay for To Kill a Mocking Bird, Baby the Rain Must Fall as well as Tender Mercies, The Trip to Bountiful). This film was made after 1918, but, is in fact, a prequel. They were both made for public television and sometimes screened together as the picture of a marriage. The film has the same cast and director as 1918 and shows the marriage between Horace and Elizabeth, her parents' reluctance, Bessie's visits, Bob the alcoholic in the boarding house and the lady who cares for him but is afraid, cousin George whose mind is deteriorating, Bessie who comes to chat. The film is obviously set around the Texas town. The characters are drawn with great care and the interactions credible. The film is gentle and genteel, very literate. Halley Foote, the director's daughter, portrays Elizabeth and Horton Foote Junior portrays Steven, the son of cousin George. Matthew Broderick is the only name star (as in 1918) and he once again portrays Brother. A genteel piece of Americana, an interesting portrait of a period.

1. Interesting and entertaining film? Piece of Americana? Texas background? the period of World War I?

2. The film as a companion piece to 1913? The effect of the two films together in the portrait of the marriage and the town in the context of the War?

3. The Texas town, its atmosphere, the homes, shops, the streets, the river bed? Authentic atmosphere? Period costumes and decor? The period songs? Musical score? the film stage bound but, at times, effectively opened up for locations?

4. The title, the atmosphere of love, Elizabeth and Horace and their elopement, their marriage on Valentine's Day? The anniversary coming round in 1918 and what had happened during the previous year?

5. The focus on Elizabeth? A genteel woman? Her relationship to her parents, concern about her brother? Subservience to her strong-minded father, in love with Horace, their disapproval, her decision to elope and to marry? The flashbacks inserted into the story of Elizabeth? At home, discussions about Horace, her love for him, elopement, her emotions at the wedding, the wedding ring? Their return to the town, unaccepted by their parents, living in the boarding house? Making do with one room? Elizabeth pregnant? Her discussions and kindness to Bessie (and the insertion of the flashbacks?) Her concern about Bob? About Ruth and her friendship? Her concern about Horace and his sensitivities, not being liked by her parents? Concern about cousin George? The preparations for Christmas, the gifts, Horace's parents not sending gifts? Her sending them? The phone call from her Mother? The preparations for Christmas, the arrival of her parents and brother, the exchange of gifts, the reconciliation? nobles behaviour? Bessie? Cousin George and the gift of $1000 (and the honourable giving back of the money to Stephen)? The celebration of Christmas, the happiness? Hope for the future, the gifts for the baby,? Her father's visits and their discussions? The offering of the house, discussion with Horace, the ownership of the house, the design of the house? Bob's return? Ruth's concern? The doctor coming? Cousin George and his death? Elizabeth's anxiety? The preparation for the birth? Portrait of a young woman of the period?

6. Horace, an honourable young man, his prospects, work in the shop? Love for Elizabeth - the eloping, the marriage? Wanting to provide her with a house, saving money? The tension with Elizabeth's father? His own dead father, his Mother not writing or sending gifts, his step-father? Caution with Elizabeth's father, the reconciliation, the gifts helping with Bobby, the visits of Cousin George and going to see him, discussing with Cousin Stephen? Christmas and the celebration? The house, accepting it? The preparation for the birth? Cousin George, in the river, with the Sheriff, trying to persuade him to come out? His death? Grief?

7. Elizabeth's parents, wealthy, self-made, hardworking? Their home? Their concern about brother? At college, poor marks, drinking and betting? Their visit, the Christmas reconciliation? The father speaking his mind? His continued visits, feeling at home? Helping Bob? The reconciliation with Horace and the direct talk? The mother and her delight in the reconciliation?

8. Brother, his opportunities and wealth, the gambling, college, the gambling friends? The bet with Bobby for the forty dollars? And his being wrong? The drinking? The visits and the gifts? Irresponsibility ~ hope for the future?

9. Cousin George, his mind going, the headaches? The sadness of his wife, the concern of his son? Walking around the town, brief statements to people, not knowing his way?. The giving of the money to Horace? To the black man? Stephen, trying to retrieve the money? His story of his love for Mary, wanting to Visit her, her death? His regrets? Going to the river about Mary? Getting the knife, killing himself in the street? The pathos of his collapse? The concern of his son?

10. Bobby, his drinking, irresponsibility, collapsing, visiting the family? Going with his mother, the return? Ruth and her concern, getting the doctor? Ruth and her singing, being present at the wedding? A cross section of town's people? The talking about the man who got dressed up in woman's clothes? the gentility of talking about failures?

11. A portrait of a town, the atmosphere of the war, America's about to join in, a period of transition from the 19th century to the modern period.