Um Cavalheiro do Sul

Drawn to this movie on TCM by the name, I was tickled to find it was set in my hometown of Lynchburg. The writer absolutely had to have lived here. I found myself rolling with laughter at parts that I don't think anyone in the country could quite understand in the same way unless they had spent a great deal of time around here. Any former or present resident of Lynchburg must see this gem. I hope movie archivists realize the historical significance of this film and keep it around for posterity. The movie industry was very busy in Virginia at the time, making another favorite of mine, "Virginia" starring Fred MacMurray and Madeleine Carroll that I also recommend. More recently, we were privileged to be in the company of Bill Murray and company during the filming of "What about Bob" at nearby Smith Mountain Lake, Patrick Swayze during the filming of "Dirty Dancing" at Mountain Lake Resort, and in Historic Lexington, Jodie Foster of "Sommersby" and Tom Cruise of "War Of The Worlds" Virginia is also home of TV's "The Waltons" My mother grew up with the real Hamner family in her small hometown of Schuyler where her elementary school was converted into "The Walton Mountain Museum" which features sets from the movie and memorabilia.

I was always fascinated by Frank Morgan as a kid and am sorry that so little data is registered for him in the biography section. So many film stars of that era are given so little acclaim when they were truly greats to the film industry. They lived their lives, made their marks in history and we are truly privileged to have the archives of those movies to re-live that era.

Based on the memoir of Rebecca Yancy Williams, 'The Vanishing Virginian' was seen in the first place for two reasons when it popped up as a recomemndation. One was that it was directed by Frank Borzage, always a sensitive director with many films well worth watching yet is still deserving of more credit. The other was for the cast, with Frank Morgan, Kathryn Grayson and Spring Byington all being great in other things. The idea of the story also intrigued me, despite not knowing an awful lot about it beforehand.

'The Vanishing Virginian' is another Borzage film that is well worth watching and does nothing to waste its cast talent. While it is not my definition of a great film, with a few foibles here and there, it is nonetheless an interesting one with more done right than wrong. Would not go as far to say that it is a must watch, but it is hardly a film to remain obscure. 'The Vanishing Virginian' is also largely successful in making an interesting story engaging and accessible, providing one doesn't mind films that are quite sentimental and sugary. Always a good thing when it's a story that is relatively new to you.

Maybe there could have been less sugar, it does get too much in places, as does occasionally the sentiment. Occasionally, the pace rambles.

Something that could have been solved by having a couple less of the songs. The songs are very pleasant, with "Steal Away" and "Auld Lang Syne" being classics and put to poignant use, and Kathryn Grayson sings her contributions beautifully (am one of those people who does like her voice, though it is a type of voice that's an acquired taste), but not all felt necessary to the storyline.

However, 'The Vanishing Virginian' is beautifully filmed, the production values being expectedly top-notch, and sensitively directed by Borzage. The music is very easy on the ears and doesn't sound syrupy or intrusive. The script is generally appealingly light-hearted with a humorous edge and lots of charm.

A vast majority of the story, while not perfect in execution, is warm, nostalgic and affectionate, making for a relaxing watch. Didn't find myself bored and did think that there was enough bite to the film's content to not make it too overly-idealised. The cast characterise beautifully in likeably written roles, Morgan and Byington are both on sparkling form and newcomer (at the time) Grayson more than holds her own with them.

Overall, definitely worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox

"This is the story of a vanishing era when simple men so loved their country, their families that America became a better place to live." The setting is 1913 Lynchburg, Virginia. There, popular prosecuting attorney Frank Morgan (as Robert "Cap'n Bob" Yancey) resides with his large family. Likewise "old-fashioned" wife Spring Byington (as Rosa) is the mother. The couple have five children, led by high-pitched Kathryn Grayson (as Rebecca) and lawyer-like Natalie Thompson (as Margaret). The "girls" are ready to choose mates and careers, which gets to the film's intended sub-textual theme - the changing role of women in the 20th century...

There is a story here, but not the one you're expecting...

The possibility one of the daughters may become an attorney is addressed, although marrying a lawyer is preferable. Women do drive motor vehicles, without hysterics (transportation brackets the decades spanning film artfully); most significantly, a minor female character is portrayed as a relatively positive divorcée. Now contrast the "hints" of freedom permitted women with those afforded ex-slaves and you've got a more interesting film. Beloved family retainers "Aunt" Louise Beavers (as Emmeline) and "Uncle" Leigh Whipper (as Josh) know their place is happily slaving away their lives away for the white master. It's insightfully racist.

****** The Vanishing Virginian (1/23/42) Frank Borzage ~ Frank Morgan, Spring Byington, Kathryn Grayson, Louise Beavers

I recently watched this movie on TCM (recorded from a few months ago). I became engrossed in the culture of Southern Virginia at turn of 20th century. This is a great movie (it does have a few foibles--such as making sure Kathryn Grayson gets to sing a lot). I have not seen many movies starring Frank Morgan, but he's great in this one (better than his performance in Wizard of Oz). So is Spring Byington--the two of them carry this story, with assistance from the rest of cast which is very good. I highly recommend this movie if you want a view into the life of an upper middle class family in this era, in Southern VA.