NR | 1h 57m | Comedy, Drama, Family | 1943
For those actors who remained on the home front, opportunities arose to step into roles left vacant by big-name stars who had gone off to war. These fill-in roles allowed them to contribute to the war effort by keeping the entertainment industry alive and providing much-needed boosts of morale to the public.
One notable example occurred during the production of the 1943 comedy-drama, “The Human Comedy,” directed by Clarence Brown, who had served as a fighter pilot in World War I.
MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, seeking a temporary replacement for Clark Gable (who was serving overseas in the U.S. Army Air Forces), hired James Craig, an actor who bore a close resemblance to Gable. While Gable was fulfilling his military duties, Craig stepped in to fill the leading man’s role, a decision that allowed him a brief moment in the Hollywood spotlight.
Small Town Charm
Homer’s youngest brother Ulysses (Jackie Jenkins) is still a child, and his eldest brother Marcus (Van Johnson) serves in the Army. With the family’s breadwinner gone, Homer takes a job as a telegram messenger. Homer works at a local telegram office managed by his kind-hearted boss, Tom Spangler (James Craig), and the elderly wire chief, Willie Grogan (Frank Morgan).
Homer’s innocence and idealism are deeply affected by the telegrams he delivers, such as one containing the heart-wrenching news that a mother in humble circumstances has lost her son in action overseas.
Fortunately, the tragic realities of life are tempered by the positive influences of Spangler and Grogan, who support Homer as he faces the painful messages that come across the telegraph wire. Through their guidance, Homer learns to accept these harsh realities.
A Simpler Time
Although billed as a comedy-drama, this movie is filled with many aspects and emotions—naiveté, sadness, hope, tragedy, compassion, loads of humor, and even some singing.
One of the more humorous scenes involves a conversation between Homer and Grogan, where the elder man instructs the youngster on how to revive him when he becomes inebriated. Grogan tells Homer to first splash water on his face if gentle nudging doesn’t wake him, and then, once Grogan is awake, to fetch him some black coffee from the local café.
This evocative portrayal of life in 1940s America, directed by Clarence Brown, captures the feel of small-town life through Homer’s family.
Interestingly, Armenian American writer William Saroyan originally penned a massive 240-page script for the film, which MGM found too lengthy. Although Mayer initially considered Saroyan to direct the project, his complete lack of directorial experience led to his replacement by Brown. Saroyan adapted his script into a bestselling novel, and ultimately won an Academy Award for Best Story following the film’s release.
The acting is solid across the board, with Fay Bainter standing out as the resilient widow of the Macauley family. Van Johnson delivers a strong performance as Homer’s Army Private brother, Marcus, while Donna Reed portrays his charming sister, Bess.
This evocative portrayal of life in 1940s America through Homer’s family captures the essence of small-town life. As Homer navigates his coming-of-age challenges, his younger brother, Ulysses (Jack Jenkin), roams the carefree streets of their idyllic town, symbolizing the child-like freedom and simpler times of mid-20th century America.
“The Human Comedy” stands as a timeless portrayal that is both heartwarming and poignant, providing an insightful and inspiring window into the lives of ordinary Americans who navigated the challenges of World War II on the home front.
