Close to My Heart

Uncommonly beautiful California housewife Gene Tierney (as Midge) is devastated. Doctors have told Ms. Tierney she will not be able to bear children. Being a "stay at home mom" is out of the question, so "Post" newspaper columnist husband Ray Milland (as Brad Sheridan) buys Tierney a puppy. The dog is precious, but it's not the same as having a baby. "Life is more than just babies," explains Mr. Milland, "we can be footloose." But Tierney is still teary-eyed. Milland suggests the couple adopt a child, and Tierney beams. Alas, the waiting time could take two years. Their luck changes, however, when abandoned baby John Winslow (as Danny) is mysteriously left on a police station doorstep...

Even before she sees him, Tierney is immediately attached to the baby. But Milland wants to know more about the child. His desire to investigate baby Danny's possibly unstable background puts a strain on the Sheridan relationship. Adoption specialist Fay Bainter (as Mrs. Morrow) wonders if Milland displays the proper level of fatherly love. "Close to My Heart" is a good looking production, much like a soap opera with one storyline. Director William Keighley gives it a classic look. The intriguing part of the story involves Milland pondering the "nature vs nurture" question. He hopes "bad blood" is not inherited. The resolution is satisfying and baby "Danny" delivers a cute, natural performance.

****** Close to My Heart (1951-10-10) William Keighley ~ Ray Milland, Gene Tierney, Fay Bainter, John Winslow

Ray Milland and Gene Tierney star in a near remake of Penny Serenade. They can't have children and explore the avenue of adoption. In the Beulah Bondi role of the agency inspector, Fay Bainter takes over. If you've seen her in Journey for Margaret, you know she can come across as concerned for children very well. This one has a couple of differences, mostly to do with Gene's character versus Irene Dunne's original version. Irene is sweet and deep-feeling, but Gene seems incredibly insincere and impulsive.

Everything out of Ray's mouth is hilarious and witty, adding a refreshing comic element to the story. I happened to agree with his side of the argument about adoption, but unfortunately, Hollywood took Gene's side. She's made out to be a natural mother who can't resist the baby in question, but I didn't believe her for a second. As is the case with many couples who have a great relationship, once child-rearing enters into the mix, fights and incompatibilities float to the surface. Ray and Gene were happy at the start of the movie, but when she becomes obsessed with the idea of adopting this particular baby, it strains their marriage. This movie also tackles the nature vs. Nurture debate that has stumped experts through the ages. If you have a strong opinion one way or the other, you might not like the message of the film. And while it's not as good as the original version, if you like the cast, you might want to give it a shot.

This is a pretty good little film about a couple adopting a baby. It works best when it is looking at the couple at home dealing with the new child, or when they adopt a puppy as a substitute. This is all quite charming and although Gene Tierney is a little cloyingly sweet at times (and I might add ravishingly beautiful), Ray Milland is very good. Where the film is less successful is when it traces Milland's search for the baby's real parents - this all becomes a tad melodramatic. And Fay Bainter's oh-so-well-meaning adoption agency supervisor comes over as so mean and heartless in her treatment of Tierney that the film becomes unbelievable. She tortures the poor woman! Milland's final impassioned monologue to Bainter is impossible for any actor to play but Milland has a good stab at it. Overall very entertaining.

"Close to My Heart" is not necessarily an easy film to watch. It deals with infertility issues and is a very good film, but it might be very tough for folks struggling with this to watch the movie. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Ray Milland plays Brad Sheridan and Gene Tierney his wife, Midge. After being married for several years, they need to face facts--she is infertile and cannot have a child. She is interested in adopting, though it's obvious Brad isn't thrilled by the idea. He goes along with it but he never seems excited by the prospect.

The wait list for adopting a baby is quite long, but an opportunity arises to POSSIBLY get a baby sooner. Danny was abandoned at a local police station and no one know about his parents. Midge is thrilled to adopt the lovely boy but once again Brad just seems uncertain...mostly because he is worried about the sort of biological parents the child might have. Being a reporter, Brad starts investigating leads...trying, for his own peace of mind, to find out more about the baby. All during this time, the baby is living with the Sheridans and Midge is in love with the little bundle of joy. Brad still has cold feet...and this worries the woman from the adoption agency. She's ready to recommend to the court that the adoption NOT go through due to Brad's apparent ambivalence. What's next in this film? Give it a look and find out for yourself.

I like this film for several reasons. The biggest is that it's unique and I cannot recall ever seeing another film like it (except, in an odd way "Bedtime for Bonzo" with its similar nature versus nurture theme). I also really liked Tierney's acting. She was really convincing and I admired her ability to do such a film considering her history of severe depression and her own issues with having a severely disabled child. I kept wondering how hard all this must have been....but she sure was great and pulled it off well. It is a bit schmaltzy, but I loved it. Overall, a surprisingly good film--one that will grab you and rip at your heart repeatedly. In fact, you might just want to watch this one with some Kleenex nearby.

By the way, if you DO watch it, watch the very final scene...that child's expression is priceless!

Please help me to purchase this movie, if it is available. Ray Milland and Gene Tierney were excellent and the plot was played very well. I checked once to purchase the movie but was told it wasn't available for some reason or another. It has been 30 years since I saw it, I have always wanted to see it again. I have told my wife and kids about ti as well, and they too want to see it. I hope someone will be able to let me in on whether or not and where I can buy the VHS or DVD copy. This movie was based on a reporter and his wife's challenge to adopt a baby. When someone mentions to the reporter, Ray Milland, that he needed to be careful as to not get a bad seed, he almost ruins the happy moment.

Thanks