THE ROMANCE OF ROSY RIDGE

US, 1947, 103 minutes, Black and white.
Van Johnson, Thomas Mitchell, Janet Leigh, Selena Royle, Marshall Thompson, Dean Stockwell.
Directed by Roy Rowland.

The Romance of Rosy Ridge introduced a 20-year-old Janet Leigh. She stars with Van Johnson, a genial teacher who returns from the Civil War to a family in Missouri. Thomas Mitchell and Selena Royle are sturdy as the parents. Dean Stockwell is the young brother.

The film creates the atmosphere of the Civil War, its aftermath of hostility and the United States trying to get on its feet again. Romantic, humorous, piece of Americana with sentiment.

Direction is by veteran Roy Rowland; dances choreographed by Jack Donohue. Van Johnson sings songs composed for the film as well as many traditional American songs.

1. Human drama? Aftermath of the Civil War? Rural America in the 19th century?

2. MGM production values, black and white photography, the cast? Traditional songs?

3. The title and its tone?

4. The picture of the aftermath of war, continuing hostilities, the burners, prejudice? The hopes for reconciliation?

5. The portrait of the family, the strong relationships? The news about Ben? The family at work, on the land? Their hopes? The burning of the barn, the rebuilding of the barn? Henry's arrival, the welcome, his staying? The various reactions?

6. The work, the harvest, the threatening storm, getting in the hay? The delighted laughter? The arguments? Love?

7. Baggett and his wife, the arguments? Hopes, the grain for the barns? The idea of the party? The questions about both sides coming? The party not starting, mother dancing? The joy? The picking of the fight? Henry having to take sides? Their going home?

8. Henry, his playing the mouth organ, arrival? At home with the family? Singing? Work, saving the harvest? The idea of the party and reconciliation? Starting the school? In love with Lissy Ann? His having to make a choice? His being vindicated in discovering the burners? The chase and the shoot-out? The flashbacks, his meeting Ben, friendship, fighting together, bringing home the letter?

9. Lissy Ann, young and attractive, her hopes, falling in love with Henry, work, the dance, being hurt by his decision? Her own decision to leave, the support of her mother?

10. The sketch of the parents, their strength? The mother and her support? The father and his southern prejudice? Hopes for Ben's return? Young Andrew and his being part of the family, his verve, fishing with his father, the square dancing? Ben and the picture of him in the flashbacks? His death?

11. The father and his sons and their hostility, the burners? Picking the fight at the dance?

12. The portrait of the people of Missouri, the experience of the war, neighbour not talking to neighbour, divided families? The land? The need for life to start again? A piece of Americana?