The Next Voice You Hear...

This is an unusual picture. The idea of God speaking to the whole world over the radio, is sure to provoke conversation. Whitmore is great(as always!)as the average 'joe', just too busy to stop and consider what he is really doing in his life/with his family and friends. Considering this one was made during the height of the cold-war, I'm sure it reflects the fears and anxieties of the times. Know what? It's just as timely now.

God's voice is "The Next Voice You Hear," in a 1950 film starring James Whitmore, Nancy Davis, Gary Gray, and Tom D'Andrea. I saw this movie many, many years ago, and have read of it in recent years due in large part to the presence of our future First Lady. Nancy Davis was an attractive woman and a good actress - I'm certain she could be quite pretty and glamorous as in real life, but the film world cast her differently. Here she's very plain looking, with a pretty smile, and is supposed to have a baby due any second. In true Hollywood form, she looks like she's maybe three months along.

The story concerns that typical '50s family we saw on TV and read about though probably didn't live in - mom, dad, and a cute kid - who have different reactions when God starts speaking on the radio at 8:30 every evening. The Whitmore character seems to embrace its true spirit - let go and live - while his aunt's belief is fear-based, and his wife and child become frightened.

This is a lovely, simple story that some people will find very comforting and others will think is an annoying, preachy bore. I thought the acting somewhat lifted it. James Whitmore was the new Spencer Tracy but never rose above character roles; instead, even now, he enjoys a wonderful stage career. Here he's a man who gets hot and bothered over life's annoyances, hates his boss, but gradually learns a lesson about God's true message. The other performances are good, and the little boy is too cute for words. Always nice to see "Gillis" from "The Life of Riley," Tom D'Andrea, in a role.

This movie isn't for everyone, but if you have a spiritual leaning, you'll like it.

This is an amazing piece of 1950 Americana with a nice father, nice mother, nice son, nice people who believe in God and care about having decent morals - a far cry from films in the past 40 years.

The story, acting and photography is okay but nothing exceptional. Today, it would bore 95 percent of the viewing audience. The main appeal is simply its homage to an innocent age (if there ever was one!).

This was my first look, when I first saw this VHS about 15 years ago, at Nancy Davis, who became Nancy Reagan. I was surprised to see how plain her looks were. She didn't look as pretty and elegant as she did as an older woman, as the First Lady.....but that has nothing to do with this film, so bear with my senility.

The story, without spoiling it, is simply about people who hear God talking through the radio to them, trying to get them to think about things. Theology- wise, the movie is pretty vague and general, not wanting to offend anyone but it still had a good message. This is almost a curiosity piece.

This is a really odd little film starring some of MGM's secondary players, including James Whitmore and Nancy Davis in the leads. I really can't compare it to any other film because it's THAT unusual. After a suitable buildup, God contacts Earth to tell us he'll be making an announcement and we should stand by. Most of the film takes place at this time and it centers on everyone's reactions to the knowledge that something HUGE must be coming. Is it apocalyptic or what--no one knows and so people start to get very nervous. All this stuff is actually the best part of the movie. The problem, though, is that with this buildup, NOTHING can provide a fitting conclusion to make the film all fit together. In other words, the audience's expectations are probably too high, as no matter WHAT MGM did at the end, it would seem a let-down.

All-in-all, a fascinating and unusual film that dares to be different.

"You know," writer George Sumner Albee said, "wouldn't it be something if God would come on the radio and give people such a bad scare they'd wake up and behave themselves!" That quote appeared in MGM president Dore Schary's book "Case History of a Movie", which elevated "The Next Voice You Hear…" far above its station. It also places the "germ" of the story in the days of radio, when the magical medium would be natural place for God to speak to "Joe Smith, American". So, during the time it was written and filmed, this story must have seemed far less ludicrous.

The story focuses on the Smith family: James Whitmore (as Joe), Nancy Davis (as Mary), and Gary Gray (as Johnny). The names "Joseph" and "Mary" have Biblical implications, of course; and, in the film, "Mary" is pregnant. These facts, like the "voice of God" itself, never progress past the point of mildly intriguing, however. The Smith family proves to be an underwhelming choice to follow, through God's supposed manifestation. Interestingly, the filmmakers combine all the world's Gods into one; with the implication being that Jews, Muslims, and others hear a similar message.

A couple of supporting performers are nice, but Ms. Davis (later known as Nancy Reagan) is the best thing in the film. Though a surprisingly thin pregnant woman, she still endeavors to look like she's carrying a child; and, Davis gives the most realistic performance. She helps the other performers look believable, too, just by appearing on screen with them. For example, it looks like she covers for young Gray, when he almost knocks over a table. And, after a silly "drunk scene", ending with Mr. Whitmore walking a straight line into EVERY stool on his way out of a bar, Davis' presence dampens the mediocrity.

Davis is genuine in her manner and looks; she obviously worked on the character, with direction from William A. Wellman. Mr. Wellman keeps it interesting, for the most part; and, the film provokes some thought. Finally, many at MGM would agree with the observation that God's voice, if heard, would sound exactly like Lionel Barrymore.

***** The Next Voice You Hear… (6/29/50) William A. Wellman ~ James Whitmore, Nancy Davis, Gary Gray, Lillian Bronson