None But the Lonely Heart (1944, dir. Clifford Odets) [Out of Print]

None But the Lonely Heart (1944, dir. Clifford Odets)

What Is It?: A Cockney Melodrama about a ne'er do well son and his sick ma.

What About It?: Notable for both Cary Grant's stretching out of type and for a return to his own cockney roots, None But the Lonely Heart is fine heartstring-pulling stuff. Grant plays Ernie Mott, a roustabout coming 'round the homestead after wandering the English countryside for years. After finding out his Ma has the big C, he sticks around to try and do the right thing with mixed results. Set in between the wars, the whole enterprise feels like an allegory for something, it's beyond the Lost Classic as to what that allegory might be.

Why Should I See It?: To see how the greatest romantic lead of all time does in a standard drama. Grant acquits himself admirably as Mott and Barrymore as Ma Mott is hammy and fun (she won the Oscar for the role). June Duprez is lovely and the most believable actor (esp. as a Cockney) and a nice revelation to us. A fine film for Grant fans and lovers of 40's melodramas.

What Else Is It Like?: Since You Went Away, The Beachcomber, The Quiet Man.

When Is It Available Until ON DEMAND?: 1/4/07

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx