Classic film series looks at WWII impact on family
How does a family stay together when World War II starts? How does love endure during the hardships of September, 1939 when England declares war on Germany?
The answers to these questions will play out on screen in the 1942 film, “Mrs. Miniver” that is scheduled to play 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 18 as part of the Classic Film Series at The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown.
Clem Miniver (Walter Pidgeon, “Forbidden Planet” and “How Green Was My Valley”) and Kay Miniver (Greer Garson, “Goodbye Mr. Chips” and “Random Harvest”) live an idyllic, middle class life in a quiet English village.
The couple’s son, Vincent (Richard Ney, “Premature Burial” and “Midnight Lace”) falls head over heals for Carol Beldon (Teresa Wright, “Shadow of a Doubt” and “Guiding Light”), the granddaughter of Lady Beldon.
But, when the war breaks out and Vincent becomes part of the RAF and the Minivers have to endure the additional hardships of blackouts, air raids and an escaped German flyer, the family must draw on their strength to survive.
“Mrs. Miniver” was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and received five including Best Actress in a Leading Role; Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Director; Best Writing, Screenplay; and Best Cinematography, Black-and-White.
Critics weren’t the only ones to embrace the film.
Winston Churchill said that the film had done more for the war effort than “a flotilla of destroyers.”
Director William Wyler has said that he made “Mrs. Miniver” as a form of propaganda to show the typical American civilian what British citizens were going through in hopes of proving that America’s policy of isolationism would be damaging.
Bosley Crowther, a reviewer for The New York Times, wrote in his June 5, 1942 review, “It is hard to believe that a picture could be made within the heat of present strife which would clearly, but without a cry for vengeance, crystallize the cruel effect of total war upon a civilized people.
“Yet that is what has been magnificently done in Metro’s ‘Mrs. Miniver,’ which came to the Music Hall yesterday. Perhaps it is too soon to call this one of the greatest motion pictures ever made; perhaps its tremendous impact is too largely conditioned by one’s own immediate association of one’s torn heart with the people so heroically involved.
“But certainly it is the finest film yet made about the present war, and a most exalting tribute to the British, who have taken it gallantly.”
The classic film series is supported by the Herald-Standard Be Local program and sponsored by 84 Lumber, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa and the Hardy and Magerko families, along with the State Theatre, to create an event around each of the two viewings of the monthly movie.
Admission to the film is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children.
Coming soon
The 2016-17 Classic Film Series will also include “A Christmas Story” (Dec. 16); “The Wild Bunch” (Jan. 27); “Barefoot in the Park” (Feb. 17); “Clue” (March 10); “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (April 7); “A Hard Day’s Night” (May 12); “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (June 23); “Ghostbusters” (July 21); and “Taxi Driver” (Aug. 18).