None but the Lonely Heart (film)

None But the Lonely Heart is an American movie from 1944 with Cary Grant and Ethel Barrymore, directed by Clifford Odets. The screenplay is based on a novel by Richard Llewellyn. Ethel Barrymore won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. The National Board of Review chose None But the Lonely Heart for best film of the year 1944.

Action

Ernie Mott is a restless young man who goes through life without goals. He tries in vain to make career as a musician and has an affair with the married Aggie Hunter. The influence of the cellist Ada Brant Line gives him hope of changing his life. Ernie helps his seriously ill mother, the small retail shop to continue operating. Through the chain of unfortunate circumstances, his mother ends up in prison, where she dies lonely. The relationship with Ada goes to pieces. Ernie is left without hope.

Background

The novel None But the Lonely Heart by Richard Llewellyn tells the tale of a 19 -year-old boy trying to escape the terrible circumstances of his existence. As Cary Grant, who at the time was almost 40, expressed interest in the lead role, writer and director Clifford Odets had to make many changes to adjust the course of events at the advanced age of the protagonist.

The first choice for the appointment of Ernie's terminally ill mother was Laurette Taylor, formerly a famous stage actress who just play The Glass Menagerie experienced by her role of mother in Tennessee Williams a comeback. She made trial recording was rejected with regard to their corpulence ( other sources mention Taylor's alcoholism as the true reason for the cancellation ).

The choice was then to Ethel Barrymore, who played with great success on Broadway starring in The corn is green at the time. To oblige Barrymore, had to take over all expenses and costs, which were obtained for the two-week duration of the interruption of the theater performance due to the absence of Barrymore producers.

Criticism

The reviews were full of praise.

Bosley Crowther was extremely impressed in the New York Times:

" To find a film full of moving and desperate mood Verlanges, full of people trying incessantly inner peace in a shabby and opressiven London district. [ ..] The movie is so sensitive, full of human warmth and poetic force told the same, that you wonder to see such a thing on the screen. [ ... ] For it is, in free, an unusual film. And he will certainly catch the audience cold, who are more accustomed to light, escapist movies. [ ... ] It is likely that this film is not very good cut at the box office, but over the years one will remember him when the current hits of today will be forgotten long ago. "

Awards

Oscar

The film started with four nominations in the Academy Awards in 1945 and won one of the trophies:

  • Best Supporting Actress: Ethel Barrymore - won

National Board of Review

  • Best Film of 1944
1944 in film RKO Pictures Film score George Barnes (cinematographer) Dan Duryea Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Broadway theatre 17th Academy Awards
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