Sombras de tormenta

I have loved this movie since I saw it in 1958 when I was 12. I have a video copy taped from WGN in Chicago. The movie was shot around Danvers and Marblehead and Boston, Massachusetts. I grew up here and actually worked at Danvers State Hospital where the opening of the film was shot.

Jean Simmons' performance is a masterpiece! It has the feeling of real life in its depiction of depression and mental disorientation. It also points out how important one friend who believes in you can be for the emotionally wrought person. This character, Jacob Diamond, was portrayed by Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. in another overlooked fine performance. His character shows that a little kindness and understanding can go a long way.

I disagree that the film is lumbering. If someone is looking for a car chase, this is the wrong film. If one is looking for great acting and wonderful character development, this film will provide it.

Even the more minor roles are played perfectly. Rhonda Fleming is great as Charlotte's (Simmons) sister subtly wooing Dan O'Herlihy from his wife's affections.

I have seen this film many times, and each time, like a great piece of music, I see more in it.

I have never been able to find it on video. I have my copy thanks to over the air broadcasts. I taped it twice, one station inserting material that is often edited out, and dubbed it into one complete version.

I would love to hear anyone's comments, pro or con, on this film as I am fascinated by people's differing reactions to it.

Sincerely,

Peter3120

This cross between 'a women's picture' and a semi-serious study of mental illness isn't as well known as it ought to be. Maybe if it had been made ten or fifteen years earlier it might have been something of a classic since we're firmly in Bette Davis/Miriam Hopkins territory here. Jean Simmons, (wonderful, but then she was always wonderful), is the woman who comes home after a year in a mental hospital. Home is where she lives with hubbie Dan O'Herlihy, step-sister Rhonda Fleming, step-mother Mabel Albertson and handsome lodger Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and it isn't too long before the reason for her initial breakdown becomes all too clear.

At two and a quarter hours it's a little on the long side but director Mervyn LeRoy certainly demonstrates just why he was considered a consumate jobbing director in his handling of old-hat material and all the performances are first-rate, (Simmons was robbed of a Best Actress Oscar nomination), and its small-town New England setting is at least unusual. However, by 1958 this was a very old-fashioned film and no amount of professionalism in front of or behind the camera was going to turn this into box-office gold. A pity, as it's really rather good.

I was amused while watching this suspenseful film to notice that whole passages of the music used were lifted straight from Warner's great Bette Davis film, "Now Voyager". Since it was a Warner's film I suppose they had the right. I noticed that Max Steiner, the composer from the Davis film, was given no credit for the music that was used in this film. Seems a shame, but I suppose that's Hollywood. Still, this is a good film with a fine cast of stars and familiar character actors. I enjoyed the location photography and the chilled atmosphere of the film is enhanced by the obvious dead of winter scenery. I mainly just wanted to comment on the music, however, it just surprised me to hear such a familiar score used over again in this film.

I can certainly sympathize with those who have commented about the lack of a video release of this title, and their disappointment at its apparent abandonment in the archives of TV broadcasters. I saw it during its initial theatrical release, when some very positive critical notices told me I'd be in for a much-better-than-average viewing experience. Not only was I impressed with its quality but, even though I've never seen it since, I can still quite easily recall several of its key sequences and the excellent performances by everyone in the cast.

After quite a run at Twentieth-Century Fox in a long string of their CinemaScope costumers, Jean Simmons must have truly enjoyed exercising her considerable talents as an actress with the lead role in "Home Before Dark," under the steady hand of Hollywood veteran, Mervyn LeRoy. He was one director who always seemed to get the best out of his casts and had a special gift, it seems to me, of eliciting surprisingly good performances from those lovely ladies, such as Rhonda Fleming in this one, who were usually thought of merely as "glamor girls."

When this film was released I was a relatively new resident of southern California, so its effective use of Boston and other Massachusetts locations, where I'd been born and raised until almost entering my teens, may be the reason that the memory of this film is still quite vivid. Those of us who would like to see a video release might nurture a wisp of hope, what with so many more films now enjoying an entry onto the video catalogues. It's certainly worthy of a place along some of Hollywood's better psychological dramas.

I have seen many Jean Simmons' movies, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

I saw it as a young teenager on TV in Memphis, Tennessee, and it made quite an impression on me at the time. I haven't seen it since, but I still remember so many images from the movie. Not only was the acting excellent, I felt that I almost knew the characters personally. Jean Simmons was tremendous, as always. I have ordered other movies of hers, and have taped the ones from TV that I could.

The tone of the movie was also an important part of the story. As I recall, it was cold, winter, and filmed in Black and White, which gave it more of an impact. It's just occurred to me that since I saw it in b&w, I don't know if it was made in b&w, or if it was in color, since I was viewing it on a b&w TV. I think the starkness of the b&w made it very effective. I continue to look for it on TV and would LOVE to have a copy of this movie, if it ever becomes available! Donchu