The Very Thought of You (1944)

Sadly Over-hyped

Great Film overall

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I had very low expectations when I saw this yesterday. "Nothing else on" television was the excuse I made myself for watching it. I had no particular interest in the leads (though Eleanor Parker was good as the baroness in Sound of Music, I didn't really know her otherwise) and Morgan had generally left me flat (though I did like him in Christmas in Connecticut).And then I saw this quite realistic dialog about picking up two girls on a bus - and following them - and their reactions! And then a very strange bickering family - unlike any I expected to see in a World War II film - where families are almost always peaches and cream. And I thought, "well, this movie is different!" It got better and better and better - primarily because you really are brought to believe that despite despite overwhelming odds, these two - Parker and Morgan - really do fall in love. They're very modest, they've such limited hopes, and those hopes are so fragile - that you root for these two very gentle modest people so intently - as almost everyone they know - as well as all the worldwide events, conspire against them.It's a very simple movie plot that is told with such verve, such overwhelming conviction by the participants fully invested in the wonder of the tale, that you are simply swept away. With low expectations, I just love it - and looked to buy it when I next came to the computer.There are few movies that seem to bring people from another decade right into your home - real people with besetting problems and far from ideal surroundings - and whom you want to succeed so very badly.Thanks to all who participated in this movie! You won no awards but you certainly won my heart!

The greatest generation. This movie shows the struggle during WWII. The struggle for love and togetherness. Times were great, people were sincere and generous. Families stuck together during the threat of adversity. Eleanor Parker and Dennis Morgan are great examples of love and devotion. The excitement of meeting and enjoying our freedom in a time of war. Seeing children play our families enjoying a Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner. Our troops had to fight for our freedom and way of life. This B movie shows woman working in factories. In all this movie will give future generations how we struggled to enjoy the normal life of love and family. And how our veterans secured our freedom and our way of life today.

In some ways, this is a series of vignettes cobbled together. The main story involves Eleanor Parker and Dennis Morgan. She had been a soda jerk when he was a chemistry student in the nearby college. Now they are reunited by chance while he is on leave from the service.Her father is Henry Travers, very touching as a man viewed by many, himself most of all, as a failure. There is an implication that he's had emotional problems, as well. His wife, Parker's mother, is the absolutely always excellent Beulah Bondi. She looks tired, drawn, and grim when Parker first brings Morgan to the family Thanksgiving dinner but loosens up a bit once they've made her a grandmother.Then there is comic relief Dane Clark, Morgan's military buddy. Dane Clark's is not a name that springs readily to mind when one thinks comedy but he is good. Faye Emerson is excellent as the girl he falls for while he and Morgan are on leave.Then there is the always fascinating Andrea King, one of Parker's sisters. She has become jaded while her husband is off at sea. She has become a loose woman. When he reappears, as handsome William Prince, they somewhat improbably reconcile.The movie is the slightly cheery side of a film noir. It has all the elements of noir. The difference is that it has a happy ending. Under the happiness, though, is terrible sadness -- both at home and fighting for our country overseas.

I enjoyed this very romantic story once again. It is of particular note that one did not have to see any explicit sexual behavior to appreciate the love and confidence these two couples had for each other. Please Hollywood, try to garner some real wisdom and make movies of this calibre again.Thanks, Tony