The Very Thought of You

One might think this movie is doomed to obscurity due to its overall lack of stylistic individuality. It's trite story-line is an easy target, too. However, for some reason, this motion picture totally won me over. This can be attributed to what i feel are the films three striking qualities: fluid character chemistry, naive but beautiful innocence, and a gentle, almost ideal humanistic touch.

There is nothing wrong with relating to some of the predictable ideals this movie outlines. I found myself getting lost in the era- the music, history, and politics of the mid 40's were all way before my time. Perhaps this is what drew me in... The romance between David and Janet is very sweet. As a result, the integrity of these main characters is very enchanting. What might seem on the surface as a predictable B-movie is actually a gentle and reassuring stroke of simplicity... a calm breath of fresh (and inspiring) air amidst today's loud and obnoxious box office hum drum.

This film captures something missing in today's "love stories". There are no sex scenes, but Dennis Morgan and Elenore Parker portray two real people in love. Morgan is a Sergeant recently relieved from duty in Alaska. For those youngsters unread in history, the Japanese also attacked Alaska during the early part of WWII. The US sent thousands of troops to guard Alaska, then a territory of the US. For those who served in that remote area, it was the kind of military duty hardly anyone writes about or makes movies. It was thankless, boring and contact with the opposite sex was usually non-existent. Not even local females were available for distraction because many of the military posts existed where not even the locals lived. The movie begins in 1944, by then, the Japanese were retreating and the threat to Alaska no longer existed. The men were being sent home for some rest and recreation before being sent into combat, primarily in the Pacific.

The character played by Morgan had been a student at Cal Tech, and he has an opportunity to visit the school before being sent back into a new assignment. Morgan and his buddy, played by Dane Clark are naturally interested in meeting some girls before returning to the all male environment. The story line has them meeting two girls on a bus, and Elenore Parker plays a defense working girl who knew Morgan when he was a student. The need for the movies of this era to avoid the stigma of a "nice girl" being picked up is avoided by creating the story line that Parker knew Morgan when he was a student. She had worked in the cafeteria, and recalled that he was a hard working and concientious student. In fact, both Morgan and Parker's characters come across as someone you would want your daughter or son to meet. Not quite the way it is today. Parker invites Morgan home to her parent's wedding anniversary. The movie indulges in a bit of WWII propaganda making Parker's sister who is married to a sailor the villain. She is dating other men. This was a problem on the minds of the thousands of separated young marrieds, for both those at home and abroad. The movie also makes the draft age male civilian brother in-law out to be a less than likable person. Yes, this movie was made in Hollywood. What a difference 50 years makes.

Although Parker and Morgan get married in a blink of an eye, there is nothing sleazy about their actions. They even have a cute baby to show for their love. My what a difference baby boomers have have made to Hollywood.

I happened to see it today on TCM and am glad I did (I actually remembered I had already seen it). Eleanor Parker is lovely and nuanced in this one, and as the previous comments say, her chemistry with Dennis Morgan was terrific. Morgan was a much better actor than many of his roles. Dane Clark and Faye Emerson were also better-than-average performers who always made a mark in their films. The dysfunctional family situation is surprisingly straightforward for its time. And the philandering sister is handled with finesse by Andrea King, another reliable supporting star at Warners throughout the 40s and 50s.... All in all, a good time at the movies... and it still holds up after 62 years.

The Very Thought Of You concerns a wartime romance between Dennis Morgan and Eleanor Parker, the people I describe in my review title. Though the film is dated by its time, it's still a pleasant romantic film about life and love in World War II America on the home front.

Dennis and his buddies have been spending a cold, but relatively safe war so far in the Aleutians where the Japanese began an offensive, but are now stranded there. Someone in Washington decided to send his platoon to an area of actual fighting. Where does Dennis go, but to Pasadena as opposed to home. Pasadena is where the California Institute of Technology is and where Dennis attended school and he apparently identifies more with that town than where he is from.

Dane Clark accompanies Morgan and soon the two are involved with a pair of hometown girls, Eleanor Parker and Faye Emerson. Parker who comes from a large family has divided opinion about her wartime fling, opposition especially coming from Beulah Bondi. In fact what with wartime housing and travel restrictions it seems that the fates themselves are working against the romance.

There's a nice subplot going involving an older sister of Parker's, Andrea King and her marriage to sailor William Prince. King's been doing a little stepping out and isn't sure she didn't marry in haste as so many in wartime do.

Though The Very Thought Of You is dated as mores have certainly changed and arguably not for the better, the film is a nice voyage to a more innocent and hopeful time.

In some ways, this is a series of vignettes cobbled together. The main story involves Eleanor Parker and Dennis Morgan. She had been a soda jerk when he was a chemistry student in the nearby college. Now they are reunited by chance while he is on leave from the service.

Her father is Henry Travers, very touching as a man viewed by many, himself most of all, as a failure. There is an implication that he's had emotional problems, as well. His wife, Parker's mother, is the absolutely always excellent Beulah Bondi. She looks tired, drawn, and grim when Parker first brings Morgan to the family Thanksgiving dinner but loosens up a bit once they've made her a grandmother.

Then there is comic relief Dane Clark, Morgan's military buddy. Dane Clark's is not a name that springs readily to mind when one thinks comedy but he is good. Faye Emerson is excellent as the girl he falls for while he and Morgan are on leave.

Then there is the always fascinating Andrea King, one of Parker's sisters. She has become jaded while her husband is off at sea. She has become a loose woman. When he reappears, as handsome William Prince, they somewhat improbably reconcile.

The movie is the slightly cheery side of a film noir. It has all the elements of noir. The difference is that it has a happy ending. Under the happiness, though, is terrible sadness -- both at home and fighting for our country overseas.