As you know, I love World War II. And I generally like World War II films, if they're done correctly (do not get me started about Pearl Harbor!) But, most of the World War II movies I see involve actual, you know, war. They usually are set in the European Theater or the Pacific Theater. Rarely do you see something set in the African Theater, but you do, occasionally, get one to pop up.

In modern times, you do get the homefront. But, that focus has been growing in the last, oh, say, 25 years. If you got anything about the homefront, it was either set after the War, where the soldiers come home (as in The Best Years of Our Lives), or it briefly touches on the struggles that life on the homefront had. And these homefront movies were generally made after the war (like TBYoOL or It's a Wonderful Life)

So, this is an extremely rare WWII movie that's entirely set in the homefront. And it was made during the War.

It's 1944's Since You Went Away (7.6 stars), starring Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple (in a rare, non-child role, although she does play a teenager, which she was. In fact, she had been in retirement for two years before being persuaded to appear in this movie), Joseph Cotten. As said, it depicts life on the homefront. It's about a woman whose husband goes off to World War II. She stays at home (duh) to take care of the house and her two teenaged daughters. To make ends meet, the woman takes in a lodger, deal with rations and shortages, and have to worry about her older daughter's affair with a military man.

One thing that strikes me is how much times don't change. There are complaints at the beginning of the movie that the government doesn't pay soldiers enough, and they still don't. The spouse who has to remain home has to worry about making ends meet, taking care of their households and children, and worrying about their fighting spouse. Even though today, we have a lot more communication between our fighting soldiers and the homefront, the grief, pain, and worry is still there.

This movie is just about the homefront. The war is very much on everyone's minds. The husband/father is often mentioned, and you see his picture at the beginning of the movie. But, you never see him.

Now, for some trivia:

Jennifer Jones and Robert Walker play young lovers in this movie. In real life, their marriage was dissolving rapidly. They divorced soon after making this movie.

Claudette Colbert wasn't too happy to play the mother of two teenaged daughters. She initially turned down the role. Producer David O. Selznick persuaded her to take the part, and it earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

At the time that this film was released, it was the longest and most expensive movie since Gone with the Wind. It is a long movie. At times, it's really preachy. It also probably isn't as good as Mrs. Miniver (and I'd probably reach for the Greer Garson movie over this one), but it's still good. Word of warning: it is pretty heavy-handed on the propaganda.

But, it has really good performances, good story.

Till next time.

Kat