Sunday Dinner for a Soldier

I first saw Sunday Dinner for a Soldier in 1945 or 1946 when I was about 8 and it has stuck with me all these years. The last scene, when John Hodiak's plane is dipping its wings as they are leaving to go overseas caused me to choke up when I first saw and it still affects me the same way. The scene in which John Hodiak and Anne Baxter are dancing in the unfinished night club is very moving and projects the feelings between them much better then the bedroom scenes of today's movies. Sunday Dinner for a Soldier is a very enjoyable movie especially for people who lived through that era. I wish it would be released on DVD and I agree with one of the other comments about so many trashy movies having been released on DVD.

Sunday Dinner for a Soldier is a class act. From first scene to last it will tug on your heartstrings and make you long for a time in America when people took pride in their country, in their families, in being responsible, without always thinking of themselves first. It was a time when home was where the heart was, since so many young men were in Europe or Asia fighting to liberate the world from fascism.

The story is about a poor family living in a ram-shackled houseboat, who have to scrounge for a living, but who have big hearts. They want to share their gifts of love, friendship and food with a US soldier, whom they have been told will be delivered to their house on a Sunday by an aid society. There is a mix up and it looks like he won't show up when all of a sudden God - it had to be God! - brings one to their home by chance. It turns out he is a man from a broken family (John Hodiak) and he quickly warms to the old grandpa of the house, the little children, and the eldest daughter (Anne Baxter, who never looked lovelier than in this film). They quickly become his surrogate family.

Exceptional performances by everyone, particularly Anne and John, who fell in love while making this picture and got married and had a child together. You can sense there was a real attraction there, it wasn't just acting. I loved the scene where they danced together in the unfinished dance hall by the sea. Oh my gosh, how romantic! Of the children it's Connie Marshall whom you'll remember the most. What a delightful child actress she was; she doesn't deserve to be forgotten. I actually sought this film out just to see another film she was in, after seeing her give another luminous performance in Sentimental Journey, with Maureen O'Hara. She didn't disappoint! This film needs to be seen by more people. How can they continue to ignore gems like Sunday Dinner for a Soldier and put out total junk on DVD every day? It's beyond me. Here's hoping some saner heads will prevail and we'll one day see an official release of this unforgettable film.

Sunday DINNER FOR A SOLDIER has a well-chosen cast. It brings a simple, yet extraordinary war-time story about love and hope to the screen, courtesy of 20th Century Fox. The movie pairs, for the first time, Anne Baxter with John Hodiak as the young romantic leads. For those that do not know, Baxter would become Mrs. Hodiak a short time later. The rest of the players are seasoned professionals— Charles Winninger as Baxter's father; Anne Revere as a townswoman trying to get Winninger to the altar; and Jane Darwell as another townswoman trying her best to provide accommodations for visiting servicemen. Bobby Driscoll is also seen as one of the youngsters involved in the goings-on. The film has all the typical feel-good elements a family picture made during the war would be expected to have. Take a seat at this cinematic table and help yourself to a serving of sweet corn.

It's only when the movie is over you 'll realize how deeply moving this very simple story is.A propaganda movie,it certainly is ,but a good propaganda movie which speaks to the heart .In those WW2 trouble times , a poor family is preparing a Sunday dinner for a guest : a soldier on furlough who will be back to the front after these fleeting moments of happiness.It's just a joy to see this family give all they have (and it is not much) to treat their guest like a member of their family ,with a little help from their neighbor.Ann Baxter and John Hodiak are a good romantic couple and their meeting when she's dancing alone is a good moment .

Like this? try this....

"Babettes Gaestebud" (Babette's feast),Gabriel Axel,1987

This should be out on Criterion DVD, and sadly, it has never even been released on ANY format. Unless you are lucky enough to catch it on AMC, you won't see it. Which is sad. The only thing I can add to what has already been said here in other comments and in the summary is that it is easily one of the 100 best movies of all time, and a MUST if you are a fan of this era!!!!!!