If this had been done as a multi-episode television mini-series (I know, t.v. was not really around back in 1947), it would have worked perfectly. Because this film seemed to me more like a series of mostly great vignettes that didn't quite come together perfectly.
The story takes place in the 1840s, in England, where 2 sisters (played by Donna Reed and Lana Turner) compete for the same man. They are the daughters of the wealthy Edmund Gwenn and Gladys Cooper. The man they both love goes into the navy, but on a drunken night is rolled, misses his ship, and is now AWOL. Rather than be imprisoned, he heads for New Zealand (which looks remarkably like the forests of the United States). He writes a letter proposing to Donna Reed, but drunk once again, mistakenly writes the name of Lana Turner. So Lana heads to New Zealand and marries, but has a marriage that is not bad, but less than blissful. Meanwhile, Donna Reed -- after the death of both parents (was there a suicide involved?) -- decides to become a nun, just as Lana and her husband return to England.
Lana Turner is really good here. She was one of my 2 favorite actresses when I was growing up (the other being Sophia Loren; clearly I knew what a really fine woman was, even at age 12). Imagine my disappointment years later when I saw her in an extended television interview and she didn't seem any too bright. But, she was still a wonderful actress. BTW, she's a brunette here.
Van Heflin, who wanted to be a suitor to Lana, is first to get to New Zealand, and becomes involved in the timber industry. What an odd coincidence that the 3 main characters all end up all the way from England to New Zealand at about the same time. Heflin is okay here.
Donna Reed is wonderful, and I wish the film would have spent more time with her story.
Richard Hart is the husband/suitor. I wasn't familiar with him. Turns out he died at age 35 from heart issues and had a short career. I really didn't care for him much here.
Frank Morgan has a great role here as the father of Richard Hart, but alas he passes away not far into the film.
Edmund Gwenn and Gladys Cooper (as husband and wife) are terrific, as they almost always were.
Dame May Witty plays the Mother Superior at the convent. We see little of her, but she pops up throughout the film at opportune moments. Limited, though good performance.
The special effects during the earthquake and tidal wave scenes are quite remarkable for 1947.
A very good film which could have been great. Worth watching.
The story takes place in the 1840s, in England, where 2 sisters (played by Donna Reed and Lana Turner) compete for the same man. They are the daughters of the wealthy Edmund Gwenn and Gladys Cooper. The man they both love goes into the navy, but on a drunken night is rolled, misses his ship, and is now AWOL. Rather than be imprisoned, he heads for New Zealand (which looks remarkably like the forests of the United States). He writes a letter proposing to Donna Reed, but drunk once again, mistakenly writes the name of Lana Turner. So Lana heads to New Zealand and marries, but has a marriage that is not bad, but less than blissful. Meanwhile, Donna Reed -- after the death of both parents (was there a suicide involved?) -- decides to become a nun, just as Lana and her husband return to England.
Lana Turner is really good here. She was one of my 2 favorite actresses when I was growing up (the other being Sophia Loren; clearly I knew what a really fine woman was, even at age 12). Imagine my disappointment years later when I saw her in an extended television interview and she didn't seem any too bright. But, she was still a wonderful actress. BTW, she's a brunette here.
Van Heflin, who wanted to be a suitor to Lana, is first to get to New Zealand, and becomes involved in the timber industry. What an odd coincidence that the 3 main characters all end up all the way from England to New Zealand at about the same time. Heflin is okay here.
Donna Reed is wonderful, and I wish the film would have spent more time with her story.
Richard Hart is the husband/suitor. I wasn't familiar with him. Turns out he died at age 35 from heart issues and had a short career. I really didn't care for him much here.
Frank Morgan has a great role here as the father of Richard Hart, but alas he passes away not far into the film.
Edmund Gwenn and Gladys Cooper (as husband and wife) are terrific, as they almost always were.
Dame May Witty plays the Mother Superior at the convent. We see little of her, but she pops up throughout the film at opportune moments. Limited, though good performance.
The special effects during the earthquake and tidal wave scenes are quite remarkable for 1947.
A very good film which could have been great. Worth watching.