The Stranger's Return

Miriam Hopkins couldn't get more likable than she is in The Stranger's Return. She's just delightful as a city girl who visits her grandfather's farm. Eighty-five-year-old Lionel Barrymore (only fifty-five at the time) is the head of the family, much to the chagrin of his children and in-laws. Beulah Bondi, Grant Mitchell, and Aileen Carlyle are all anxiously awaiting his demise so they can inherit the farm. When Miriam breezes in, they're wary of her, especially since she gets along so well with Lionel.

What I love about this movie is it's not the typical "city slicker" movie. It's funny but not silly, and it doesn't make fun of anyone. Yes, Stuart Erwin is the constantly drunk farm hand, but he doesn't harm anyone and only likes a good time. Yes, Beulah is mean-spirited, but she's not stereotypical. And Miriam truly learns to love her grandfather and his way of life. She's not looking for escapism or a brief thrill. She listens to his wisdom and applies it to her own life, taking the time to think about the consequences of her actions.

Which leads her to Franchot Tone. He owns the neighboring farm. He's handsome, kind, funny, intelligent enough to have been offered a teaching position, responsible enough to turn it down and run his family farm, and genuinely has a good heart. How can you help falling in love with a man like that? Oh, there is one more thing about Franchot: he's married. Chances are you've never heard of this movie, but if you can find a copy, watch it. It's very good. It's not stylized like some old flicks, and it's very true to life.

A delicate film, plenty of little marvellous details. I do not know why we cannot watch this film more times on television, because it is, in my opinion, the best film that King Vidor ever filmed. And I could watch it again and again.

A very quiet story in terms of action, but full of wonderful performances in material that could have been easily dull in the wrong hands. Miriam Hopkins is at her most beautiful in her prime. When she's on the screen,you simply can't miss her star appeal, which is absolutely magnetic. Not only a beauty, but she proves herself again to be a great actress with a dynamic range. (Also see Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde 1932, Trouble In Paradise, Story Of Temple Drake,and Becky Sharp for Miriam at her best.) Beulah Bondi offers great support with her character that you will love to hate. Lionel Barrymore is also quite lovable in his role as the elderly patriarch of the family.

Don't see this film when you're high energy, but see this film.

The Stranger's Return is an interesting pre-code film to watch, because although it deals with shocking subjects for the time period (like divorce and adultery), the film comes off relatively tame today. Louise Storr (Miriam Hopkins) has just divorced her husband and for a bit of a holiday and a way to get back to her roots, she revisits the family farm. Her grandfather (Lionel Barrymore) takes her back with open arms and shows her how wonderful a rural life can be, even for a city girl. Despite his age, he is a very active sort and continues to parade around his independence amid snobby onlookers. He even introduces his grand daughter to their neighbor Guy Crane (Franchot Tone), a married man who turns out to be the perfect diversion for the girl.

This movie is all about gossip and loyalty and finding a place to belong, but it is presented casually so as not to be mistaken for anything but entertainment. It features pleasing performances from some of the big names of the era, namely Barrymore who carries the film.

"A Stranger's Return" from 1933 stars Miriam Hopkins, Lionel Barrymore, and Franchot Tone, and is directed by King Vidor.

Hopkins plays Louise Storr, a divorcée who leaves the big city, New York, and comes to visit her grandfather's (Lionel Barrymore) farm to get back to her roots. She doesn't intend to stay.

Grandpa Storr is thrilled to see her and wants her to stay. She meets his neighbor (Tone), an educated man with a wife and child, and there's an instant attraction. Like her, he loves theater and they relate on a different level from him and his wife. They realize they're in love.

Other people aren't really interested in having Louise stick around. And abruptly, Grandpa starts acting demented, and there's a move afoot to have him committed.

Funny and touching, this precode touches on two no-nos later on, divorce and adultery, but of course it's nothing today. Lionel Barrymore is hilarious as Grandpa, and he and Tone have wonderful banter as friends who pretend to be enemies. *Come over at 7 for dinner," Guy says "It will give me time to count the silverware and hide the valuables." "Why?" Grandpa asks. "Afraid I'll recognize my own stuff?" Both of them give charming performances.

Miriam Hopkins is at her most beautiful here, giving a lyrical performance as Louise. Such a wonderful actress - by her acting, we see the character's backstory of hurt due to her divorce. She's a gentle woman, capable of deep love. Hopkins had a long and prolific Broadway career and brought her training to film, playing a variety of roles. One of my favorites is her as the aunt in "The Heiress."

Catch this when it's on TCM.