The adoptive father of a young woman is horrified to learn she plans to marry the son of the man who accidentally killed her aunt years before.The adoptive father of a young woman is horrified to learn she plans to marry the son of the man who accidentally killed her aunt years before.The adoptive father of a young woman is horrified to learn she plans to marry the son of the man who accidentally killed her aunt years before.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total
- Minister
- (uncredited)
- Young Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Young Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Young Kathleen
- (uncredited)
- Richard Clare
- (uncredited)
- Gardener
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFredric March commented to his first cousin, Kathryn Davis, about working with Norma Shearer, that, yes, she was a great actress and very professional, but she could be difficult because she constantly expected perfection. When Davis asked what that specifically meant, March replied, "She was never satisfied, kept having us do take after take." Pausing, he continued, unabashed, "Especially our love scenes. She always wanted to redo all the love scenes, several times!" Davis wanted to ask why he supposed Shearer always wanted to retake the love scenes in particular, but thought better of it and kept silent.
- GoofsThe bulk of the story takes place during the WWI era, 1915-1919, but all of Norma Shearer's clothes, hats, and hairstyles are strictly in the 1932 mode, the year the film was made, a typical practice of the era.
- Quotes
Kenneth Wayne: How about a toast?
Kathleen: I know one. Here's to your health, your honor, and the health of all your descendants, great and small.
Kenneth Wayne: That's a mighty handsome toast.
Kathleen: But, Irish toasts are the best I know.
Kenneth Wayne: May you keep as young and as pretty as you are, until doomsday, and never forget the man who wished it.
Kathleen: I wonder now, as I look at you, have we never met before?
Kenneth Wayne: No, I guess we haven't. I shouldn't have forgotten.
Kathleen: Oh, could you be Irish too!
Kenneth Wayne: Yeah, I could, if I saw enough of you!
Kathleen: Oh!
- Crazy creditsAs M-G-M would later do with "The Wizard of Oz," no mention at all is made of any of the actors having dual roles. Thus, the characters "Moonyeen" and "Jeremy Wayne" are not even mentioned in the credits, although the characters are drastically important to the story.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Happy Ending (1969)
- SoundtracksSmilin' Through
(uncredited)
Written by Arthur A. Penn
Played on piano and sung by Norma Shearer (dubbed by Georgia Stark)
Music integrated into the score throughout
Sidney Franklin's film is the quintessential tearjerker, one that I have dreamed of watching all my adult life, and tonight I finally managed. Not many films outlast those sorts of expectations, I found recently that 'Sevent Heaven' was relatively feeble-minded, not the film I had been looking forward to.
'Smilin' Through' triumphs though, soaringly so. The film is not only sumptuous in decor and cinematography, but has a real heart and real intelligence. I loved the way that almost every scene takes place in a garden with burgeoning flora, drooping flowers, heavy with romantic regret and sexual portent. One could almost smell the dizzy perfume of the plants. And I admired the way that Sidney Franklin distinguishes so clearly and yet not demonstratively between the way that young love professes itself in the 1860's, the time of John's and Moonyeen's courtship, and the war years with Kathleen's and Ken's romance. Franklin, in his direction, subtly underlines the tender dewy-eyed romanticism of the old days, "misty, water-colored mem'ries" indeed, with Kathleen perpetually wearing her wedding gown, even in her scenes as a ghost. And in the modern story we have an altogether more practical couple, acting in the context of a world war, with the far-away guns and canons sending rumblings through the village, sending windows and panes rattling. Kathleen in the modern story is more earthy and doesn't, in this pre-Code Hollywood picture, disguise how she is longing for her sexual union with Ken: "By the time I'm through with you, you won't be able to fight anyway", she claims.
The acting is a chapter unto itself. I was never a fan of Leslie Howard's, and although it must be said that his part is probably the least interesting in the film, he conveys an endearing boyishness in the 1860's scenes, easy-going and infectious. Fredric March strikes up a marvelous rapport with Norma Shearer, sending off sparks of a loose energy that seem almost improvised, certainly captivating. Their scenes today should even today serve as must-see footage for acting students. March shows glimpses of the impressive character actor he was to become, and Shearer is luminous and entirely lovable, great performances.
The perfect genre piece, destined to give you the most delicious heartache.
- mik-19
- May 1, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Osudjena da voli
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $851,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 38 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1