Since You Went Away (1944)

VHS CASE/SIDE

MPAA Certificate Number: 9990

Length of film:  177 Minutes (1949 Re-Release: 130 Minutes)

Rated: Approved

Genre: War, Drama, Romance

Director: John Cromwell

Starring: Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple, Monty Woolley, Lionel Barrymore, Robert Walker, Hattie McDaniel

IMDB Rank: 7.5/10

Part 1 Time: 111 Minutes (1949 Re-Release: N/A Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  66 Minutes (1949 Re-Release: N/A Minutes)

Where does the first part end?  Anne Hilton (Claudette Colbert) sits in her living room looking at a family photo album.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “He’ll come back to us” Anne Hilton cries as she hugs her dog Soda Pop.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “In these troubled times when many of our loved ones are making the supreme sacrifice” Priest (Lionel Barrymore) speaks to the congregation.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, at this point in the film we see the many struggles facing women who’s husband’s have left for war. During this period, many American families are faced with financial, personal, and parenting issues. How will these struggles impact the Hilton family long term? Will Mr. Hilton return home from the war?

Which part is better? In both parts we see how the Hilton family adjusts to Mr. Hilton being deployed to war. Members of the family are faced with hardships that vary from one another but are still significant. Part two is given a sight edge as we get to not only see what someone leaving for war may experience but also the fate of Mr. Hilton.

Academy Awards: Best Music-Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Leading Actress (Nominated-Claudette Colbert), Best Supporting Actor (Nominated- Monty Woolley), Best Supporting Actress (Nominated- Jennifer Jones), Best Cinematography-Black and White (Nominated), Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration Black and White (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated),Best Effects-Special Effects (Nominated)