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The Human Comedy
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Synopsis
Author William Saroyan's corn-shucking brand of sentimentality works wonders in this 1943 filmization of his novel. Narrator Ray Collins is dead before the film begins; thus he is able to provide an all-seeing overview of the tiny community of Ithaca, California. The principal character, played by Mickey Rooney, is Collins' son; as the delivery boy for the local telegraph office, Rooney keeps in close contact with virtually every family in town, which results in several comic and poignant moments. Rooney's older brother Van Johnson is in uniform, off fighting World War II; his sister Marcia Hunt is the erstwhile sweetheart of telegraph-office supervisor James Craig. The "circle of life" concept that unifies the anecdotal plotline is best illustrated by the film's final image: after Johnson dies in battle, his best friend, parentless John Craven, is more or less adopted by Collins' family. Reportedly, The Human Comedy was MGM chief executive Louis B. Mayer's favorite film, an apotheosis of Mayer's devotion to "family values." Among the many small-part players populating Human Comedy are Barry Nelson, Robert Mitchum, Don DeFore, Jay Ward (later the producer of Rocky and His Friends) and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Katherine Alexander Mrs. Steed
Ann Ayars Mrs. Sandoval
Fay Bainter Mrs. Macauley
Alan Baxter Brad Stickman
Clem Bevans Henderson
James Craig Tom Spangler
Darryl Hickman Lionel
Marsha Hunt Diana Steed
Van Johnson Marcus Macauley
Frank Morgan Willie Grogan
Dorothy Morris Mary Arena
Mary Nash Miss Hicks
Barry Nelson Fat
Henry O'Neill Charles Steed
Rita Quigley Helen Elliott
Donna Reed Bess Macauley
Ray Collins Mr. Macauley
Mickey Rooney Homer Macauley

Production Crew

Cedric Gibbons Art Director
Paul Groesse Art Director
William Saroyan Book Author
Ernst Matray Choreography
Harry Stradling Cinematographer
Herbert Stothart Composer (Music Score)
Irene Sharaff Costume Designer
Clarence Brown Director
Conrad A. Nervig Editor
Jack Dawn Makeup
Clarence Brown Producer
Howard Estabrook Screenwriter
Edwin B. Willis Set Designer
Hugh Hunt Set Designer
Year: 1943
Runtime: 117
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: NR
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama

Produced by
MGM

Release
by MGM

Awards
1943 - 10 Best Films - Film Daily
1943 - Best Film - New York Film Critics Circle
1943 - Best Picture - Academy
1943 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie