OF HUMAN HEARTS

US, 1938, 100 minutes, Black and white.
Walter Huston, James Stewart, Beulah Bondi, Gene Reynolds, Charles Coburn, Guy Kibbee, John Carradne, Gene Lockhart, Ann Rutherford.
Directed by Clarence Brown.

Of Human Hearts is a piece of 19th century Americana: pioneers, religious minister and his family, the Civil War, human families, gratitude and ingratitude. The film is based on a story by Honore Morrow called Benefits Forgot - which is alluded to in the final sequences of the film.

The film has a fine re-creation of Ohio in the 1850s as well as excellent footage of clashes in the Civil War. Walter Huston is at his best as the stern and proud minister in the pioneer areas of the Ohio River and mountains. Beulah Bondi is also sympathetic as his wife. Gene Reynolds is the young Jason who grows up to be James Stewart. It was one of Stewart's early roles, a mixture of sympathy as well as audience reaction to his self-preoccupation. In the supporting cast are Guy Kibbee as the greedy salesman in the town, Charles Coburn as the alcoholic judge, Ann Rutherford as the neighbour.

The film was directed by Clarence Brown, director of many effective films of the '30s and '40s including many with Greta Garbo as well as The Yearling, National Velvet and Intruder in the Dust. John Carradine has a guest role - made up very strongly to resemble Abraham Lincoln. The film is strong in American atmosphere, American sentiment and values. A film of feeling from the '30s.

1. Entertaining American drama? American patriotism, pioneer spirit, dreams? The universal themes?

2. Black and white photography, Ohio and Baltimore in the 1850s, the Civil War sequences? The editing and pace? Musical score and traditional themes?

3. The title, the focus on the family and their relationships? The title of the original story - as quoted by Abraham Lincoln, for Jason to reflect on and understand what had happened in his life?

4. The background of the 1850s, the opening up of the frontiers, the rivers and the steamboats, the small towns, the stores, the farmers, the minister of religion and his dependence on the community for livelihood? Preaching and ministry in the mountains? The contrast with the cities, the medical schools? The Civil War and its effect?

5. Ethan Hawkins as a strong man, travelling with his family, the dependence on the congregation, his pride and not begging? His shrewdness and knowing horses? His love for his wife, sternness with his son, wanting good manners and truth, banning the magazines, hitting his son? The alienation between the two? His kindness to the people and their support of him? The years passing, the strained relationship with his son, taking him to the mountains, to Sister Clark? the confrontation because of the second-hand clothes, the frog in the food? His stern approach to being kind to people? The physical fight with his son? Jason's resentment, his departure? Ethan and his illness, letters to his son, his dying - and Jason's arriving and their clasping hands? Portrait of a stern religious man?

6. Mary, love for her husband and devotion to him? Care for her son? The humiliation of dependence on the townspeople? The meeting in the church, the second-hand clothes, the food, the deal with the salary? Her concern for Jason, protecting him from his father? The magazines, selling her cutlery for the Harper's magazine and Jason's rejection of the magazines for the medical book? Her devotion? The death of her husband, Jason's return? Her poverty, selling all her possessions, Jason's infrequent letters, her love and support for him? Selling the ring and the doctor giving it back? Selling Pilgrim? Thinking her son was dead, the letter to Lincoln? His return, asking for forgiveness, her happiness?

7. Jason, the young boy, ambitions, educated? The restrictions of his father, friendship with Anne? The magazines, the clash with the Ames boy? Giving him the magazines? Being hit by his father? The resentments? Going to visit Dr Shingle, asking him direct questions about his alcoholism, the book, the buying of Pilgrim, the wound and his sewing up the wound? Growing up, with Anne in the church? On the mission with his father, the food, the humiliation of the clothing, the physical fight, going to Baltimore to study? His approach to Dr Frumm, with Quid? Work, study? Continually asking his mother for money, not writing to her? The war, his excellent work, saving amputations? His uniform and pride? The money from his mother? Called by Lincoln, Lincoln praising him, the lecture from Lincoln about ingratitude and benefits forgot? Lincoln's command that he write? His conscience, realisation of his neglect of his mother (despite his being at his father's death)? The reconciliation with his mother?

8. Dr Shingle, the alcoholic, his background and skills, place in the town, threats to Ames and bleeding him, helping Jason with the book, with introductions? His getting the financial support for Wilkins? The reconciliation at the end?

9. Dr Crumm, Baltimore, amputations, Quid and his work with Jason? In the Civil War? Medical education at the time?

10. George Ames, greedy, the store, the people reacting at meetings against him, his being hard on his son? Being bled? Begrudging the minister his money? The double-deal with the poor horse?

11. The townspeople, the welcoming of the minister, hard times, the money deal of the salary, their gifts? Second-hand clothes, etc? Their change of heart after the family's devotion? Life in the town, the characters, the old man with the organ, the old men playing draughts? Sister Clark and her isolation in the mountains, the welcome visit, her hospitality?

12. A humane portrait of ordinary Americans in the pioneer areas of 19th century America?