A Kind Act: Random Acts of Kindness in Classic Films

Publicity still for the film “Harvey” (1950). MovieStillsDB

Commentary

Have you ever noticed how people are suspicious of someone who does something kind for another person? People aren’t used to others doing something kind without an agenda. In times past, the average person wouldn’t think it was sinister if a neighbor stopped by to bring some homemade baked goods or if a co-worker gave his friend a birthday gift. Nowadays, many people are very uncomfortable if you do something kind for them; they think there are strings attached. They feel indebted to you even if that isn’t your intention.

Some Classic Examples

In old movies, you see many examples of very nice characters who do kind things for their fellow men. In “Harvey” (1950), Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) is constantly doing nice things for everyone he meets, whether old friends or total strangers. Many people in his community consider him a crackpot because he likes to do generous things for others, while the medical personnel are trying to institutionalize a man who is saner than they are.

In “People Will Talk” (1951), Dr. Praetorius (Cary Grant) is truly trying to aid in the relief of human suffering. He runs his own clinic for the benefit of the patients, not the convenience of the staff, and he treats them with consideration instead of like inmates. Professor Elwell (Hume Cronyn), his colleague and bitter rival, tries to get him thrown out of the university where they both teach because of petty jealousy.

In “You Can’t Take It with You” (1938), Grandpa Vanderhof (Lionel Barrymore) encourages people to quit jobs they hate and come and live at his house to pursue whatever their hearts desire without worrying about financial stability. He invites a nervous accountant (Donald Meek) who loves making children’s toys to come and “be a lily of the field.” After his boss pushes him one time too many, he quits and rushes after Mr. Vanderhof. When he arrives at Grandpa’s house, he is introduced to an interesting group of people who are busy doing exactly what they want to do in life. His daughter (Spring Byington) writes plays, his son-in-law (Samuel S. Hinds) is an inventor, his granddaughter (Ann Miller) dances ballet, and his grandson-in-law (Dub Taylor) composes and plays the marimba. Grandpa is always helping his neighbors, and he is the best friend of everyone on the block. When he gets in trouble with the law, the whole neighborhood shows up in court, and everyone chips in to pay his fine.

A publicity still for the film “The Voice of the Turtle” (1947). MovieStillsDB

Helping Others

In “The Voice of the Turtle” (1947), Sally (Eleanor Parker) lets Bill, a serviceman on leave (Ronald Reagan) sleep on the sofa in her apartment because there are no rooms available at any of the hotels in New York. When she tells a casting director that she has a soldier staying with her, he obviously infers that there is something untoward about the situation. He assumes that she is a loose woman instead of a sympathetic person who just felt sorry for a soldier who needed a place to stay out of the rain. She offers to cook Bill breakfast in the morning because she likes to do things for other people. She is a very sweet, loving young lady who just wants to find someone to love who will love her in a pure way.

In “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939), Jeff (James Stewart) wants to create a national camp for all the boys of American to enjoy while they come together, get to know each other, and learn to make what makes our country great. He has no hopes of earning fame or money for himself. He fights for lost causes just like his father, a brave newspaperman, did before getting shot in the back. Through his ordeals in Washington, he learns the full truth of his father’s assertion that “lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.” It takes a lot of courage, perseverance, and determination to not give up in the face of persecution, but he perseveres because he truly cares about the boys who have grown to believe in him.

In “Night Song” (1948), a very wealthy young woman named Cathy (Merle Oberon) takes an interest in a blind pianist named Dan (Dana Andrews) when she hears him playing at a jazz club. His friend and fellow musician Chick (Hoagy Carmichael) also wants to help Dan stop being mad at the world because he lost his vision in a freak accident after returning from World War II. Cathy convinces Dan that she is also blind so that he won’t feel like she’s pitying him by becoming his friend and sweetheart. He needs $5000 for a surgery which could restore his sight, but Cathy knows that he won’t accept charity from her or anyone else. She uses her significant wealth to set up a music contest, which she encourages him to enter with one of his original pieces. He legitimately wins enough money to travel to New York for his surgery.

Publicity still from the 1939 film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." MovieStillsDB

Kindness in Action

I know of a ballet dancer who would always give flowers to his dancing partners. He continued this practice with a partner who had had some difficulties with him during the production. Instead of receiving the flowers in the manner in which they were given, the young woman purposely left them in the dressing room to wilt. She didn’t even have the good manners to take them home with her, even to throw them away, so that he would not be hurt. Sadly, that was the last time he has ever given any of his partners flowers!

I have also observed people who enjoyed giving gifts simply for the gift of giving, only to have their generosity met with hesitation and suspicion. People should not be afraid to show someone that they value them, their friendship, or their hard work. What ever happened to giving someone the “warm fuzzies” just out of pure kindness?

I challenge everyone to try and put the kindness illustrated in these wonderful film clips to practice. You could make a person’s life better just by doing something special for someone in your life. Don’t be afraid that people might think you’re a crackpot! Being a nice person is never crazy.

They say that nice guys finish last. That may be true in this world, but just remember: Your reward will be in heaven.