Young Widow

1946

1h 40m

IMDb RATING

4.8/10

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Drama

A young bride tries to rebuild her life after she learns her husband has been killed in the war.

Directors

Edwin L. Marin

Writers

Clarissa Fairchild Cushman(novel by)

Richard Macaulay(writer by)

Margaret Buell Wilder(writer by)

Stars

Jane Russell

Louis Hayward

Faith Domergue

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Top cast

Joan Kenwood

Jim Cameron

Gerry Taylor

"Mac" McCallister

Peter Waring

Peg Martin

Rosie

Aunt Cissie

Aunt Emeline

Sammy Jackson

Willie Murphy

Bill Martin

Bob Johnson

Navy Lieutenant Smith

William Moss

Marine Lieutenant Pearson

William Murphy

Army Lieutenant Hope

Leigh Whipper

Nate (Uncredited)

Walter Baldwin

Miller (Uncredited)

Directors

Edwin L. Marin

Writers

Clarissa Fairchild Cushman(novel by)

Richard Macaulay(writer by)

Margaret Buell Wilder(writer by)

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Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

This film boasts two strong performances from Jane Russell and Louis Hayward. The former, a young widow still coming to terms with the death of her husband; the latter, a man she encounters on a train - and one who falls for her immediately. She is less than impressed! What ensues is a characterful romantic cat and mouse, but with a bit more depth. There is a poignancy to the grief of "Joan". It isn't a "woe is me" style grief, but Russell's portrayal delivers a glimpse of the sincerity of a character torn between her past and her future. Hayward foils this light melancholia perfectly. His cock-sure persona makes us grimace at times, but it's clear from fairly early on that he is the ying to her yang, she just has to believe it. There are a couple of decent supporting efforts that allow us to come up fo air - Marie Wilson as the femme fatale "Mac"; Cora Witherspoon as well meaning ("Aunt Emeline") and Louise Beavers as the cook who manages to inject some common sense and humour into it all. There's no denying it can be slow, and quite sluggish in parts. Russell is still finding her feet in front of the camera, and it proves too difficult for Edward Marin to sustain the intensity at times, but it's an enjoyable watch that gives us fair warning of what to expect from Jane Russell...

Geronimo196707 Jul, 2022