Et la vie continue

Sure, it's probably true that this is a highly idealized version of America, but calling it "blatantly patriotic" ignores the fact that all American towns were blatantly patriotic when we fought the Last Good War. The idea that a Homer McCauley had every bit as much chance as a rich kid to make his mark might be uniquely American; he might never live in the big house on the hill, but he could become every bit as beloved in his world as a George Bailey might in Bedford Falls. One thing that makes "Human Comedy" rather unique for its time was that it was set in small-town central California back in the day when that was a long way off for most Americans. A wonderful movie; wish it was avilable on DVD.

Author William Saroyan had a special love for America — a special kind of love that seems to be reserved for us fortunate ones who are immigrants to this great country. Or, at least, that's how it was a generation or two ago.

This film displays this love for America in the special way of the home front milieu of the 40s. No doubt, it's a sentimental, even maudlin look at the meaning of "home." Homer McCauley (Mickey Rooney) is a telegraph runner for his boss, the wonderful Frank Morgan, in the small California town of Ithaca, where he must deliver telegrams to the folks who have lost a loved one in the war. The film shows in many touching ways what it was like to be on the sidelines (keep your chin up; do the best you can) while the boys where fighting "over there."

As a small boy growing up in Germany during this time, it was one of the first American films I ever saw. It, more than any other thing, made me understand what it would be like to be somewhere where the little things in life are important, while the 'big stuff' takes care of itself. A place where small, unimportant folks count for as much as, or even more than, the ones hogging the news.

Watch this film if you can (shown on Turner Classic Movies) and see what we have lost and what we must find a way to get back into our lives.

While the years may not have been entirely kind to "The Human Comedy," they have certainly been kinder than some of the comments I've seen here, the venom and churlish malice of which frankly astonish me.

In 1943, M-G-M commissioned author William Saroyan to develop a screen story about the World War II homefront. The result was this, which Howard Estabrook turned into a screenplay and Saroyan himself expanded into a novel -- which explains why the film was released before the book was published.

Yes, "The Human Comedy" is propaganda, but with a difference. Most of the propaganda of WWII arose from anger and grim determination, and films like "Air Force" and "Operation Tokyo" look excessive and embarrassing now that passions have cooled. The propaganda of "The Human Comedy" rises not from anger but from fear -- the fear that the crucible of war might be too harsh for the spirit of small-town America to survive.

To be honest, much of "The Human Comedy" also looks excessive and embarrassing now the fears have been alleviated. But few films struck such a chord in audiences of the time by showing them, if not as they were, then at least as they liked to picture themselves.

The film's appeal now is more than just as a historical curiosity, however. Despite the Andy Hardy sentimentality and Saroyan's blue-collar pseudo-poetry, "The Human Comedy" has much to recommend it if you can resist viewing it through the prism of our own time, with the war safely won these 50 years. It has, for example, one of Mickey Rooney's best and most restrained performances and a charming performance by Jackie "Butch" Jenkins as his baby brother -- he became a child star on the strength of this film, but was never this good again.

Frank Morgan, too, is first-rate as a sad old man taking pride in his work and refuge in his bottle; Morgan was an idiosyncratic actor, but he was capable of great depth and deserves to be known for something besides "The Wizard of Oz." Director Clarence Brown, now sadly neglected, shows once again his sure touch with Americana and his sensitive handling of child and teen actors.

"The Human Comedy" is a bit cloying, perhaps, but it's also a compassionate and generous-spirited film. It deserves to be regarded with the same generosity.

Nothing much happens in "The Human Comedy," and yet, everything happens in this gentle 1943 drama based on a story by William Saroyan and directed by Clarence Brown. It stars Mickey Rooney, Van Johnson, Frank Morgan, James Craig, Marsha Hunt, Fay Bainter, Donna Reed and Dorothy Malone. The main focus is on the Macauley family, and the opening and closing narration is by their late patriarch (Ray Collins) who initially introduces the audience to the family and to the town of Ithaca, California.

With oldest brother Marcus away fighting in World War II, it falls to Homer (Rooney) to add to the money his brother sends their mother (Fay Bainter) by getting a job in the local telegraph office after school. There, he finds himself sobering up the drunken man who runs the telegraph (Frank Morgan) and delivering telegrams - sometimes singing, sometimes from the War Department informing a family of a death. Homer has to grow up fast and ponder some serious issues.

There are others besides the Macauleys - kind Tom Spangler and his upper class girl (Marsha Hunt) - Tom is nervous about meeting her parents. Then there is Tobey (John Craven) a soldier with no parents and no real home who is befriended by Marcus while in the service.

"The Human Comedy" is filled with delightful scenes of innocence, goodness, sadness, mischief, tragedy and humor. One night, Bess Macauley and her friend Mary are on their way to the movies when they meet three lonely soldiers on leave (one of whom is Robert Mitchum) and invite them to come along. When the men leave them, the girls get a kiss on the cheek; the youngest Macauley, Ulysses, finds himself alone when the other boys leave after watching a live ad for a drink - is the man a real man or a huge wind-up toy? When he leans over and scares the heck out of Ulysses, Ulysses finds out and runs for his life.

The scenes of Marcus and his fellow soldiers shows us the youth of these men, their fears, and their homesickness; the scenes of the people at home show us what not having any young men around is like for a small town - the worry and the loneliness as they keep things together so their sons and fathers will have something to come home to.

Mickey Rooney, one of the screen's great talents, gives a subdued yet emotional performance as Homer. Frank Morgan is very good as the pathetic Mr. Grogan, and Van Johnson is likable as Marcus. The rest of the cast follows suit - everyone is excellent.

Was a town ever like this? Possibly, in a gentler time. The Human Comedy reminds us of old-fashioned things like responsibility, letter-writing, and prayer, and that love is eternal. A very warm movie. Highly recommended.

I moved to Fresno, California in 1948 when I was 4. I was welcome at all the gardens to plug a melon. That meant to cut a triangle and then remove that piece to be sure the melon was ready. A scary old man showed me how to do that. Then I learned a person was not scary just because they were not known and old. Yes I grew up a few miles south of town. And everybody knew everybody else. I vividly recall Rhoeding Park where the hot and weary travelers stopped amidst the large trees to cool from the summers heat. Air Conditioning was new. It was called 'cooled by refrigeration'. Swamp coolers were the norm and created a lot of humidity. Days in the 100s were the normal occurrence. Many many groups of various nationalities picknicked there. This movie may seem unreal to someone from more recent times and other places. But it sure reminds me of my childhood home. Families were a lot closer then. I lived there 5 years after the movie was made and possibly 5-8 after it was set. I too waved at the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific trains. I rode a bicycle for miles from home. I didn't know bad people existed. All adults were friendly and helpful. I knew a man like the old telegrapher. Others problems were my problems. The Korean war took our beloved doctor that made housecalls and knew everyones first name. Mothers worried about their husband returning Children did not understand. I attended the Presbyterian Church. I miss those times. I miss the trust we had with strangers. I miss the safety we felt at night. I even miss the names like Zahigian and Kechaloian. It is a shame younger people feel this was not a real place and time. Roger