Random Harvest
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Random Harvest is a 1942 film based on the James Hilton novel of the same name, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Claudine West, George Froeschel and Arthur Wimperis adapted the novel for the screen, and received an Academy Award nomination for their work. The film departed from the novel in several significant ways, as it proved nearly impossible to translate to film otherwise. Ronald Colman and Greer Garson starred as an amnesiac World War I soldier, and his patient love interest.
The historical fiction novel was published in 1941. Though set immediately after World War I, the novel featured the timely subjects of CRS, or "shellshock." World War II, which was being fought at that time, provided many case studies for the condition.
It was an instant critical and commercial success. Its seven Academy Award nominations included nods for Ronald Colman, supporting actress Susan Peters, director Melvyn LeRoy, and the Best Picture. Greer Garson, whose performance was well-received, was ineligible for the Academy Award for Best Actress, as she was already nominated that year for her role in Mrs. Miniver.
Despite a loyal following, the film was unavailable on VHS and DVD formats until the 2005 Warner Home Video release of the restored and remastered version of the film.
Film summary
The film opens during the closing days of World War I. "John Smith" (Ronald Colman) is a soldier who was gassed and shellshocked in the trenches and is confined to an asylum because he has lost his memory. When the war ends, jubilation reigns in the nearby town of Melbridge and the gatekeepers abandon their posts to join the celebration. With no one to stop him, Smith simply wanders off.In town, he is befriended by Paula (Greer Garson), a kindly showgirl, who takes him under her wing. After she discovers he has left the hospital, but is perfectly fine except for his memory loss, she arranges for him to join her traveling theatrical group. After an incident that could result in his being discovered and returned to the hospital, Paula takes Smith away to a secluded country village where they marry and are blissfully happy.
"Smithy", as Paula calls him, discovers a literary talent and tries writing to earn a living. He gets an offer from a newspaper in Liverpool to come for an interview and he leaves Paula and their newborn baby for an overnight trip into the city. On his way to the interview, he is struck by a taxi. He awakens in a chemist's shop (drug store), his memory restored, but his life with Paula now forgotten. He is Charles Rainier, son of a wealthy businessman.
He returns home to learn of his father's recent death. His siblings are amazed, and some not all that pleased, since he inherits a large portion of his late father's estate. One of those who welcome him home is Kitty, step-daughter of one of Charles' siblings. She becomes infatuated with her "uncle".
Charles yearns for a life of scholarship, but the family's mismanaged business needs him and he puts off his own desires to rescue the family fortune and the many workers who depend on him for employment.
Meanwhile, Paula has been searching for her Smithy. Losing their son in infancy, Paula returns to work as a secretary. One day she sees a photo in a newspaper, touting the accomplishments of Charles Rainier, the "Industrial Prince of England". A doctor she consults warns her not to reveal her identity. She manages to obtain a position as his assistant, hoping he will recognize her, but he doesn't.
Charles and Kitty (Susan Peters) become engaged. Paula, now calling herself "Margaret," ("Paula" having been her stage name), has her marriage dissolved so Charles can marry Kitty without any legal problems. While settling some details for their upcoming wedding, a hymn that he and Kitty are considering triggers a vague memory and Kitty realizes that Charles still loves someone else. Heartbroken, she breaks off the engagement and goes away.
When she hears Charles is in Liverpool, trying one last time to piece together his lost years, Margaret rushes to join him. Her hopes are dashed when the attempt fails and Charles finally abandons all hope. He is then approached to stand for Parliament. After his triumphant election, in which Margaret provided invaluable assistance, he feels the need for a wife in his new role. He proposes to Margaret, more as a business proposition than a romantic one. She accepts.
Charles and Margaret become an ideal couple, at least to all outward appearance. She is the perfect wife and society hostess. They sometimes discuss his lost past, since it is obvious that he still feels emptiness inside. At one point, she tells him of her own lost love, without disclosing that it is him. Charles hopes their life together can fill the void they both feel. Mentally exhausted and desperately unhappy, Margaret decides to take an extended vacation abroad by herself. With time to spare before her liner sails, she revisits the hamlet where she and Smithy lived.
While Margaret is remembering happier times, Charles is called upon to mediate a strike at the Melbridge Cable Works. He succeeds. Afterwards, the familiar surroundings begin to unlock his lost memories. This eventually leads him to the cottage he and Paula shared in the country. Margaret, about to leave for the boat train, makes a casual remark to the current innkeeper about her predecessor, whom she knew when she and Smithy honeymooned in the inn. She is told someone else had just that morning asked about the same woman. Praying it was Charles, she runs to the cottage and sees him outside. She calls "Smithy!". He turns, memories flooding back; he cries out "Paula!" and they embrace.
The major difference between the film and the novel versions is that the reader does not realize that "Mrs. Rainier" and "Paula" is the same woman until the very last page of the book. Of course it could not have been filmed that way, since the actress playing Paula would have to be seen as Mrs. Rainier as well.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Ronald Colman | Charles Rainier |
| Greer Garson | Paula Ridgeway |
| Philip Dorn | Dr. Jonathan Benet |
| Susan Peters | Kitty Chilcet |
| Henry Travers | Dr. Sims |
| Reginald Owen | Biffer |
| Bramwell Fletcher | Harrison |
| Rhys Williams | Sam |
| Una O'Connor | Tobacco Shopkeeper |
| Aubrey Mather | Sheldon |
| Margaret Wycherly | Mrs. Deventer |
| Arthur Margetson | Chetwynd Rainier |
| Melville Cooper | George Rainier |
| Alan Napier | Julian Rainier |
| Jill Esmond | Lydia Rainier |
Nominated
- Best Picture
- Best Director (Melvyn LeRoy)
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Ronald Colman)
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Susan Peters)
- Best Writing, Screenplay (Claudine West, George Froeschel and Arthur Wimperis)
- Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Herbert Stothart)
- Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White (Cedric Gibbons, art direction; Edwin B. Willis, sets)
External links
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