Et la parole fut...

Just how factual all the events are in Fox's biographical account of THE STORY OF Alexander GRAHAM BELL, I don't know, but it seems safe to say they have taken the basic outline of his life and embellished it with a series of vignettes that serve to show us how and why he became the inventor of the telephone.

Although this is DON AMECHE's signature role (indeed the invention is often referred to as "The Ameche"), he clearly had better roles in his future. Here he overacts to a tiresome degree under Irving Cummings' direction. On the other hand, there's a considerable amount of underplaying by LORETTA YOUNG and HENRY FONDA in subordinate roles. Young is Ameche's deaf wife and Fonda is his laboratory assistant.

Factual or not, it moves at a slow pace and may not be the kind of biography for everyone, lacking the vigorous style of a story about Jesse James, for example. There's a little too much talk before we get to the crucial scene in the film where Ameche spills acid and calls for help over the wire to Fonda in the next room.

Supporting cast includes GENE LOCKHART, SPRING BYINGTON and CHARLES COBURN (who must have been one of Hollywood's busiest character actors in the '30s and '40s).

This biopic about the invention of the telephone proved to be a surprise. Not having seen it, we took the chance and it proved to be a real charmer. Under the direction of Irving Cummings, we get to know a great deal, not only about the invention itself, but a little bit about the man.

Alexander Graham Bell was an ambitious man who was interested in helping a young deaf-mute boy, as the picture opens. We see him toiling at a prototype for the telegraph, and stumbling into the transmission of sound through wires, thus creating something that revolutionized society, business and the world at large. In retrospect, one can only imagine how could anyone survived without it! Thanks to Mr. Bell, his invention is something that benefited all of us.

Don Ameche makes an intense Alexander Graham Bell. He was a charming actor who never ceased to amaze us in all the movies he left behind. Loretta Young, makes a wonderful Mabel Hubbard, Mr. Bell's beloved wife who had to struggle with her own deafness. A young Henry Fonda is seen as Bell's loyal friend Thomas Watson.

The cast assembled for the film shows the best Hollywood could offer. Charles Coburn and Spring Byinton play the kind Hubbards. Gene Lockhart is also quite good as Thomas Sanders. Two of Loretta Young sisters Polly Ann and Georgiana play two of the Hubbard girls, as well as Sally Blane who is the fourth daughter.

This is a film that is instructive as well as fun to watch because of the subject matter and the cast that made the story come alive.

The Story of Alexander Graham Bell (1940) : Brief Review -

Ahoy, this is Alexander Graham Bell Speaking (to the audience to ring the bell in their hearts, instead of the Telephone!). Firstly, I'd like to pinch myself to believe that Alexander Graham Bell was this handsome. How!?? Even Marx Bros. Couldn't resist making a spoof of him as "Don Ameche". Dear Ameche, you just made me believe that those great scientists and investors didn't just have good brains but good looks too. It doesn't matter what their usual pictures on Google show; the cinema is always the best medium to showcase their images. Watching a biopic of Alexander Graham Bell in the 2023, 5G era, on my mobile by downloading, with Bluetooth earphones on.. Guess how fascinating and amusing this experience is. Here I am using all these electronic devices that make my life easy and accessible, and there he was, the great Bell, who had to have sleepless nights with an empty stomach in a cheap attic. What good have we done to have been born on the same planet, using the helpful devices created by the legendary scientist? We all know Graham Bell's name now, but how many of us are aware of his struggle? Behind every successful man, there is a woman, they say. Well, Alec had Mable. If there had been no Mable, he would have given up his invention of Telephone. So, let's thank Mable Bell too. A handsome man like Bell had to choose a deaf woman as his life partner. That also tells you a great deal about humanity and how God has made perfect pairs for us. The Story of Alexander Graham Bell is a little bit overdramatic and less intelligent, but it's inspiring, encouraging, emotional, and enthusiastic. Writing a review of the inventor of Telephone on my mobile has to be one of the most metaphorical things that have ever happened in my life. Irving Cummings and the solid cast made sure that the tale of tele-phone (and somewhat of aeronautics) reached me with a clear voice. Thank you, Mr. Bell, and thank you to the team for making this film.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

I always thought of him being an under rated actor. He certainly was versatile. He could sing, play comedy and drama, and if for no other reason, the academy finally realized his talents and gave him an oscar. It was long overdue. As for this film, he was very good and keep in mind Henry Fonda was playing a supporting role. As for Loretta Young..she was very lovely during those years, but her role had me squirming. As a deaf person, she spoke very well and the audience knows she's deaf because she makes it obvious as to her glaring at the actors mouths. I don't recall anyone mentioning if she was born deaf, or acquired it in later life.All in all, a satisfying film..thanks to Don's performance.

Story of Alexander Graham Bell, The (1939)

*** (out of 4)

Delightful tale of Alexander Graham Bell (Don Ameche) who while attempting to create the telephone falls in love with a mute girl (Loretta Young). The film really doesn't go into much detail about how the phone was created but instead it focuses on the pain that Bell went through while trying to break through. Ameche is downright brilliant in every shape of the word and his strong performance makes you forget several of the flaws throughout the film. Loretta Young is also very good as his wife and Henry Fonda adds nice support as the assistant. The film has some nice humor to go along with the drama and while I'm sure there are some facts made up, the film is still worth watching if you're a fan of the cast.