A minister from the Deep South is assigned a new parish and moves with his wife to a town in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, where he tends to the spiritual and emotional needs of his small flock.
Susan Hayward
Mary Elizabeth Eden Thompson
William Lundigan
Rev. William Asbury Thompson
Rory Calhoun
Jack Stark
Barbara Bates
Jenny Brock
Gene Lockhart
Jeff Brock
Lynn Bari
Mrs. Billywith
Ruth Donnelly
Glory White
Kathleen Lockhart
Mrs. Brock
Alexander Knox
Tom Salter
Jean Inness
Mrs. Salter
Frank Tweddell
Dr. Fleming
Director, Screenplay
Henry King
Novel
Corra Harris
Screenplay
Lamar Trotti
April 17, 2022
6
Told through the eyes of "Mary" (Susan Hayward), this is the story of a newlywed Methodist pastor's wife who moves with her husband "William" (William Lundigan) to a new, rural, community. His job is to tend his flock - willing or otherwise, her's is to support him - and arguably a much more difficult task a that. Simultaneously, this happy couple are trying to start a family. She is not from the toughest of stock, and the sacrifices and adjustments she is required to make really do test her mettle. When tragedy ensues both she and her spouse have to make some very difficult choices, but will their new friends rally round? Hayward always was better at these more characterful, meatier, parts - and here she is on good form. She does elicit sympathy not just on a personal level, but when you look at the bloody-mindedness of some of his congregation, especially "Salter" (Alexander Knox) then you can do little but empathise with her frustrations. By way of a balance to the plot, there is a slightly comedic sub-plot with "Jenny" (Barbara Bates) who's caught up in a little love triangle of her own. That's really only good for the opportunity for an underused Gene Lockhart to put in a few enjoyable appearances with Rory Calhoun ("Jack"). It's quite a quickly paced affair and it manages to avoid descent into melodrama quite well, too, thankfully. After three years, they must move on. Have they made a difference?
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00