The Vanishing Virginian

This is a warm, humorous and sentimental film, based on Rebecca Yancy Williams' memoir of her family in small-town Virginia, circa 1905-1929. The essence of the story is centered on her father, Colonel Bob, and his life long public service. The film also lightly and humorously delves into the issues of the time, i.e. prohibition and women's suffrage. What makes this film a winner for me, is the fine acting of Frank Morgan as Colonel Robert Yancy, and Spring Byington as his wife. Well directed by Frank Borzage, and with MGM topnotch production values, it's worth a look, if sentimental films appeal to you.

I was always fascinated by Frank Morgan as a kid and am sorry that so little data is registered for him in the biography section. So many film stars of that era are given so little acclaim when they were truly greats to the film industry. They lived their lives, made their marks in history and we are truly privileged to have the archives of those movies to re-live that era.

"This is the story of a vanishing era when simple men so loved their country, their families that America became a better place to live." The setting is 1913 Lynchburg, Virginia. There, popular prosecuting attorney Frank Morgan (as Robert "Cap'n Bob" Yancey) resides with his large family. Likewise "old-fashioned" wife Spring Byington (as Rosa) is the mother. The couple have five children, led by high-pitched Kathryn Grayson (as Rebecca) and lawyer-like Natalie Thompson (as Margaret). The "girls" are ready to choose mates and careers, which gets to the film's intended sub-textual theme - the changing role of women in the 20th century...

There is a story here, but not the one you're expecting...

The possibility one of the daughters may become an attorney is addressed, although marrying a lawyer is preferable. Women do drive motor vehicles, without hysterics (transportation brackets the decades spanning film artfully); most significantly, a minor female character is portrayed as a relatively positive divorcée. Now contrast the "hints" of freedom permitted women with those afforded ex-slaves and you've got a more interesting film. Beloved family retainers "Aunt" Louise Beavers (as Emmeline) and "Uncle" Leigh Whipper (as Josh) know their place is happily slaving away their lives away for the white master. It's insightfully racist.

****** The Vanishing Virginian (1/23/42) Frank Borzage ~ Frank Morgan, Spring Byington, Kathryn Grayson, Louise Beavers

Others here have very ably and fondly described the movie's storyline, characters, and acting; however, there has not been attention paid to the music in this film, especially to Kathryn Grayson's talents

Miss Grayson's talents are well displayed, both as a singer and as an actress, and her amazing voice is put to good use here without seeming overly contrived, even to modern ears; the songs were appropriate to the scene, such as when Miss Grayson's character was entertaining two little girls by singing to them playfully, or when an impromptu ensemble joined on the home's front porch one evening, singing and laughing, which was not at all unusual in the days before air conditioning, televisions, and computers.

Individually and in ensembles, many of the cast contributed their vocal and instrumental talents, with two moments standing out as particularly touching: the congregation singing at the funeral (with Miss Grayson having a prominent role), and the town's men singing a heartfelt "Auld Lang Syne" at the film's closing scene.

No, this is not a musical, but like many films of that era and of this genre, there is music in it. It is not music that is merely incidental or music that underscores on-screen action, but music integral to the story and which is itself part of the dialogue -- part of the story.

"The Vanishing Virginian" is a gentle reminder of how the masters of a bygone era told their stories. Sometimes it seems we are missing a lot in more modern movies.

I recently watched this movie on TCM (recorded from a few months ago). I became engrossed in the culture of Southern Virginia at turn of 20th century. This is a great movie (it does have a few foibles--such as making sure Kathryn Grayson gets to sing a lot). I have not seen many movies starring Frank Morgan, but he's great in this one (better than his performance in Wizard of Oz). So is Spring Byington--the two of them carry this story, with assistance from the rest of cast which is very good. I highly recommend this movie if you want a view into the life of an upper middle class family in this era, in Southern VA.