Johnny Belinda (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Adapted from a play, 'Johnny Belinda' (directed by Jean Negulesco) takes place in rocky, windswept Nova Scotia, where deaf-mute Belinda (Jane Wyman) leads a lonely existence on the farm of her father Black Macdonald (a great Charles Bickford) & her aunt Aggie (always impressive Agnes Moorehead). Belinda is a good, sweet woman whose affliction is often confused with mental deficiency from glib, unknowing townsfolk (they even call her "The Dummy"). Newly arrived ashore is kind Dr. Robert Richardson (Lew Ayres); who takes a special interest in vulnerable Belinda, vowing to make her life easier by teaching her sign language. Despite initial resistance from her father & aunt, Belinda learns quite quickly how to communicate with others, which opens up a whole new world for her.
But drama enters the proceedings when a local drunk/brute named Locky (loathsome Stephan McNally) corners poor Belinda after a village dance ... and rapes her. She becomes pregnant; has the baby; and names him Johnny Belinda. A scandal, everyone in town assumes that the kind doctor is the father of Belinda's child & decides that he must leave the community at once. When Belinda's father gets wind that Locky is the actual father of the baby, an altercation occurs. After a certain tragedy befalls our protagonist, further trouble occurs when Locky (and his wife, played by Jan Sterling) decide that they want to take the baby away from Belinda; that she wouldn't be fit to raise a child. Melodrama, misunderstandings, self-defense, "murder", and a courtroom trial ensues.
The ending of the film is a bit ambiguous, as intended by director Jean Negulesco. This allows us viewers to draw our own conclusion regarding Belinda's future with Dr. Richardson. I liked the decision to make the ending ambiguous. And I liked this film an awful lot, as well. 'JB' is simply one of those good 'ole Hollywood classic melodramas from the 1940s that so few films can live up to nowadays. This movie was critically acclaimed, popular at the box office, was nominated for 11(!) Academy Awards & was expected to contend for Best Picture, among a flurry of other awards (Directing, Acting, Editing, black-&-white Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Max Steiner's lush Musical Score). But alas, Hamlet won Best Picture, and 'JB' won only 1 award ... Best Actress for Jane Wyman.
Wyman is wonderful in her sensitive portrayal of Belinda, perfectly capturing the young woman's isolation, desire to learn, & quiet strength in the face of adversity. Outwardly, it may not have looked like Wyman's role was very difficult. But when you look deep into her eyes and witness her subtle gestures/body movements, you can really see & feel the level of dedication in the performance. Wyman recently lost her baby right before filming for this film began; and she brought that palpable sense of melancholy to the role with great aplomb. Everyone else impresses, as well; Lew Ayres, Charles Bickford, Agnes Moorehead, Steve McNally, & particularly Jan Sterling as the vile-turned-decent woman trying to pry Johnny Belinda from his rightful mother. She, like few others, was finally able to recognize the humanity in someone who is 'different'. 'JB' blends atmosphere, great acting, & stellar writing into a deeply-affecting classic.
But drama enters the proceedings when a local drunk/brute named Locky (loathsome Stephan McNally) corners poor Belinda after a village dance ... and rapes her. She becomes pregnant; has the baby; and names him Johnny Belinda. A scandal, everyone in town assumes that the kind doctor is the father of Belinda's child & decides that he must leave the community at once. When Belinda's father gets wind that Locky is the actual father of the baby, an altercation occurs. After a certain tragedy befalls our protagonist, further trouble occurs when Locky (and his wife, played by Jan Sterling) decide that they want to take the baby away from Belinda; that she wouldn't be fit to raise a child. Melodrama, misunderstandings, self-defense, "murder", and a courtroom trial ensues.
The ending of the film is a bit ambiguous, as intended by director Jean Negulesco. This allows us viewers to draw our own conclusion regarding Belinda's future with Dr. Richardson. I liked the decision to make the ending ambiguous. And I liked this film an awful lot, as well. 'JB' is simply one of those good 'ole Hollywood classic melodramas from the 1940s that so few films can live up to nowadays. This movie was critically acclaimed, popular at the box office, was nominated for 11(!) Academy Awards & was expected to contend for Best Picture, among a flurry of other awards (Directing, Acting, Editing, black-&-white Cinematography, Art Direction, Sound, Max Steiner's lush Musical Score). But alas, Hamlet won Best Picture, and 'JB' won only 1 award ... Best Actress for Jane Wyman.
Wyman is wonderful in her sensitive portrayal of Belinda, perfectly capturing the young woman's isolation, desire to learn, & quiet strength in the face of adversity. Outwardly, it may not have looked like Wyman's role was very difficult. But when you look deep into her eyes and witness her subtle gestures/body movements, you can really see & feel the level of dedication in the performance. Wyman recently lost her baby right before filming for this film began; and she brought that palpable sense of melancholy to the role with great aplomb. Everyone else impresses, as well; Lew Ayres, Charles Bickford, Agnes Moorehead, Steve McNally, & particularly Jan Sterling as the vile-turned-decent woman trying to pry Johnny Belinda from his rightful mother. She, like few others, was finally able to recognize the humanity in someone who is 'different'. 'JB' blends atmosphere, great acting, & stellar writing into a deeply-affecting classic.