Coeurs enchaînés

Perhaps it's the Berkeley locale that appeals to me, but I was riveted by this intelligently written and well acted look at alcoholism. Sure it's treading on similar ground to The Lost Weekend, but this is a much more intimate picture. Milland is outstanding as always, and even Nancy Kelly (Reagan) does well.

If you've read my reviews, you'll know I once nicknamed Ray Milland "Ray Mi-bland" and it stuck. I feel a little sorry for teasing him, since I've seen more of his movies and been exposed to more of his talent. He's a two-time Rag Award nominee now, and he earned his second nomination for his excellent performance in Night Into Morning.

In this heavy drama, Ray leans on the crutch of alcohol to drown his sorrows. Yes, he did that in The Lost Weekend, but unlike his Oscar-winning performance-for which he wasn't nominated for a Rag-in this movie, he has a very good reason for doing it. He starts the movie a happy man with a wife, son, house in the suburbs, and an enjoyable job as an English professor at the local college. There's a freak accident and the furnace in his house explodes, and his wife and son are killed. Let the poor man have a drink or two, for crying out loud!

There are so many great scenes in this movie, including the scene of the accident. Ray is giving a lecture on Shakespeare, and in the background, there's an unusual noise. Shortly afterwards, police sirens interrupt his speech, and then his colleague Nancy Davis bursts into his classroom with the terrible news.

In another touching scene, Ray offers his son's bicycle to a neighbor boy. He's trying to be calm and friendly, but the interaction is too much for him to handle and he explodes, "You can use it. You're alive! Go ahead, take it!" Ray continually bottles his emotions, but when he finally releases them, he'll have you reaching for the Kleenex box over and over again. Trust me, The Lost Weekend was merely a warm-up.

While looking through the TCM listing, found this rarity. Might have given it a miss, but was drawn to it by the title. The first review I read put me off, but with a cast like this (and again that title) took a chance....very pleased I did.

My introduction to the screenplay writing skills of Karl Tunberg came after seeing "Ben Hur". When I found that 'Night Into Morning' was his original story, just had to see it. It's hard to know if his credited co-writer Leonard Spigelglass ("All Through the Night" '41 ~ "Mystery Street '50) collaborated on the original story or perhaps adapted chapters after the event. There are some sections that could be seen as perhaps, changing tone - but this would also be expected from a story of this nature - people dealing with grief go through several phases.

Films with this theme are rare and often can be depressing, but not this handling. All characters are credible and the script and direction are in harmony. Tunberg's dialogue is non stop and full of character. It's not a film I would have expected from MGM and as you might expect, in the declining decade of this studio, it's a modest production ~ but wonderfully realized by a sterling crew.

Ray Miland (as the English Professor) is as always the consummate professional. Roles dealing with a full range of strong emotions are always difficult. Nancy Davis (Reagan) matches him with a sincere performance, after all, her character is still dealing with her own earlier loss.

John Hodiak (what a pity we lost this fine actor so early!) plays the 'thick headed' Swede who has difficulty in reading both his professor friend's reactions, as well as his intended wife's 'awareness' of the professor's erratic behavior. The delightful Jean Hagen puts in a marvellous turn as the lonely girl across the hall and a very young Dawn Addams adds charm as the girlfriend of one of the professor's students. The themes of a Shakespearian quote, being studied in the professor's class, are used to perfection. Celia Lovsky (Mrs Peter Lorre) has a small part as a neighbor (it was her portrait that was used so well in 1955s "The Big Heat"). My wife also picked an uncredited Percy Helton as a drunk in a prison cell --whose only line is crucial to the story--

Producer: Edwin H. Knopf, himself an Actor, Writer and Director has several distinguished films to his credit..."The Seventh Cross" '44 ~ "Crossroads" '42 ~ Cry Havoc '43. Here, he's picked an un-commercial but vital project and his Director: Fletcher Markle (also an actor and writer) handles the film's theme with care and feeling. Great Director of Photography: George Folsey seems to have been around forever and has such a wide range of top films to his credit...The Bandwaggon" 53 ~ Executive Suite '54 ~ 7 Brides for 7 Brothers '54, etc.

Some could be unimpressed by the professor's closing remarks "Go with God", but this is apt for the films themes and gives a measure of hope where today's filmmakers leave their audiences in total despair. Hope-less.

The TCM copy broadcast in Australia did not look like a re-mastered print, still it's better than some I've seen. Recommended for thoughtful viewing - unfortunately it seems to be unavailable on DVD.

Ray Milland reprises his drunken "Lost Weekend" routine in this typical drama about a professor who mourns the accidental death of his wife and 10-year-old boy, and then instead of adequately grieving over the loss, takes to drowning his sorrows in the bottle and becomes an alcoholic. His two best friends who care about him constantly try to set him on the straight and narrow path. I found this to be pretty standard with predictable results, with a stagnant plot that really doesn't go anywhere. What set this above average and worth one look is the good performance from Milland as well as a young Nancy Davis (Reagan) as one of the thoughtful friends who's devoted to him and can relate, having lost a spouse herself. **1/2 out of ****

Ray Milland stars with John Hodiak and Nancy Davis in "Night Into Morning," from 1951.

Milland, six years past his "Lost Weekend" performance hits the drink route again in this story of a professor who loses his wife and child in a fire. He starts drinking, and becomes bitter and angry as his two friends (Hodiak and Davis) attempt to hold him together.

This was a predictable movie, but there is an impressive performance by Milland, and a chance to see Nancy Davis, our former first lady, and she does a good job as a woman who knows about loss. John Hodiak is the less understanding and somewhat jealous friend. I liked his role because he acted like a typical male - when his wife or girlfriend's attention is off of him, he becomes upset. I remember when my friend's grandmother was dying, and his uncle by marriage asked his wife how long it was going to last.

What I really loved were the last fifteen minutes or so, which really elevated this film, particularly Milland's speech to his students.

Lovely, and I admit to shedding a tear or two.