Vicky

This was the sort of film my parents could confidently send me off to see, knowing that there would be nothing scandalous about it. I saw it just after we'd moved to a southern California suburb from a town near Boston, Massachusetts, and I recall being envious of young Donna Corcoran (who was also billed as Noreen, and whose sibling, Kevin, aka: "Moochie," also enjoyed a career as a child actor, mostly at Disney) getting to emote with such charming people as the leads, Greer Garson and Walter Pigeon, one of M-G-M's favorite pairings, once again playing a loving married couple. (By the way, no matter how I try, IMDb keeps deleting the "d" in Walter's last name in this comment when I try to post it. What's going on?!?)

I haven't seen it since but I do remember that I was aware then that it was an example of Hollywood's backlot artistry, something which, were it to be remade today for TV, for example, might benefit from some location shooting in the actual locale of the story. It's a gentle film made with the care one would expect from the professionals listed in its credits, one of those relics unlikely to be made available on video, and that's really a loss that many of us do regret, however mildly. Turner Classic Movies unearths it from their treasure trove occasionally. Worth keeping an eye out for.

It doesn't get more juvenile than the plethora of 1940s Hollywood movies that depict Caucasians and their conflicts with syrupy sweetness. Don't get me wrong; I'm a sucker for Our Vines Have Tender Grapes and, of course, Pollyanna. But the only thing that really saves this kissy-kissy is director Negulesco.

I recommend this one only for extremely diehard fans of Garson. Her cohort Walter is so-so but effective. Unsurprisingly, the children in the cast propel the storyline.

It's important to consider that the biggest conflict presented is protestant vs. Catholic. And that's not a spoiler. Might seem more than tame now, but it was notable then.

Book yourself a dentist appointment before you watch Scandal at Scourie, because it'll most likely give you a cavity. This Disney-esque family flick is very corny, but if you like movies like Our Vines Have Tender Grapes, you might like it. It's the last of the eight movies Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon made together, so it might be worth a viewing just to support the lovely couple.

They're a childless couple who enjoy a prominent position in a small Canadian town. When a group of orphans arrive by train, the nuns in charge try to pawn them off - sorry, find the children homes. Greer falls in love with a sweet little girl, Donna Corcoran, and against Pidge's wishes, she brings Donna home and arranges adoption proceedings. It was a very tricky move on her part, but her husband's reluctance is the least of her worries. Donna is a Catholic, and nearly the entire town (including Greer and Pidge) are Protestants. As part of the adoption, Greer vows to honor Donna's religion and raise her as a Catholic. All of a sudden, she's serving fish for Friday dinner, and she's walking into the wrong church on Sunday! That certainly is a scandal.

Personally, I like Blossoms in the Dust. But that's a very heavy drama, and it's not one you can watch on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy yourself. If you like the idea of Greer and Pidge helping orphans, but you'd rather skip the tragedy, you can try this "knock-off". But call your dentist.

Made in 1953, Scandal At Scourie is a pleasant attempt by a major studio to make the sort of film that ten or fifteen years earlier was commonplace. Alas, this movie came out at about the same time as From Here To Eternity and The Wild One, and it was an anachronism even in its day. Anachronisms, however, have their virtues, and this movie has kindness and wisdom to spare. The story concerns the problems faced by a straitlaced middle-aged Irish-Protestant Canadian couple when they decide to take a little girl into their home who just happens to be of the Roman Catholic faith. That their village is overwhelmingly Protestant complicates matters; nor does it help that the husband also happens to be a minister. The conflicts in the film are genuine and credibly presented, and the various characters behave realistically but always with great civility, which in turn gives urgency to the child's plight, as one is forced to ponder the issues that the film puts forth, chief among them the problem of how to deal with unwanted children who are rejected by others in tones so courteous as to make the slightest objection seem like a major offense.

One of the many films with greer garson and walter pidgeon. Pidgeon was always an authority figure, with his louder than loud, stilted booming voice, like a minister preaching to his flock. Garson was usually the sweet, understanding wife or mother, trying to convince someone of the right thing to do. Here, when the protestant couple adopts a catholic child in canada, it's a big deal. So many misunderstandings. Threats. Maybe ruined careers. A very plain and simple story. Doing the right thing in spite of the odds and challenges. Almost a children's story. But of course, the lessons apply to adults as well. It's pretty good. I've always liked greer and pidgeon, in spite of their predictable performances. Directed by jean negulesco. He was nominatd for johnny belinda. He also directed some pretty well known films... three coins, humoresque. But the best one was probably how to marry a millionaire!