OF HUMAN HEARTS
DIRECTED BY CLARENCE BROWN
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER (MGM)
INFORMATION FROM IMDb
Plot Summary
This is a story about family relationships, set in the time before
and during the American Civil War.
Ethan Wilkins is a poor and honest man who ministers to the human soul,
while his son Jason yearns to be a doctor, helping people in the earthly realm.
It is a rich story about striving for excellence, the tension of father-son rebellion, and
the love of a mother that can never die.
Written by perrymv
Cast
Walter Huston ... Ethan Wilkins
James Stewart ... Jason Wilkins
Beulah Bondi ... Mary Wilkins
Guy Kibbee ...George Ames
Charles Coburn ... Dr. Charles Shingle
John Carradine ... President Lincoln
Ann Rutherford ... Annie Hawks
Charley Grapewin ... Jim Meeker
Leona Roberts ... Sister Clarke
Gene Lockhart ... Quid
Clem Bevans ... Elder Massey
Arthur Aylesworth ... Rufus Inchpin
Gene Reynolds ... Jason Wilkins as a Child
Leatrice Joy Gilbert ... Annie Hawks as a Child
Sterling Holloway ... Chauncey Ames
Charles Peck ... Chauncey Ames as a Child
Robert McWade ... Dr. Lupus Crumm
Minor Watson ... Capt. Griggs
Ward Bond ... Lout Laughing in Church (uncredited)
and many more...
Directed
Clarence Brown
Writing Credits
Bradbury Foote ... (screen play)
Honore Morrow ... (story "Benefits Forgot") (as Honoré Morrow)
Conrad Richter ... (treatment contributor) (uncredited)
Produced
John W. Considine Jr. ... producer
Clarence Brown ... producer (uncredited)
Music
Herbert Stothart
Cinematography
Clyde De Vinna ... (photographed by)
Trivia
Beulah Bondi portrayed James Stewart's mother five times:
In It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939),
Of Human Hearts (1938) and Vivacious Lady (1938), and once on his television series,
The Jimmy Stewart Show (1971).
The title was chosen in a nationwide contest MGM held on its radio program.
The winner, high school student Ray Harris, not only won $5,000
but also was a special guest at the world premiere of the movie
in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. The film's battle scene cost $50,000 and required 2000 men to film. Ted Healy is on early production charts, but died before the end of filming. He is said to appear in one scene.
The story takes place on a small town located on the Ohio River
called "Pine Hill, Ohio". There is an actual town in Ohio by that name,
but it is located in Carroll County, many miles north of that important waterway.
President Lincoln quotes from William Shakespeare's "As You Like It":
"Blow, blow, thou winter wind. / Thou art not so unkind / As man's ingratitude [...]
/ Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, / That dost not bite so nigh /
As benefits forgot..." (Act II. Scene 7)
Several actors listed in studio records were not seen in the film.
These were, with their character names: Frank McGlynn Sr. (Lout),
John Miljan (Captain Griggs), Frank Reicher (Officer),
Willard Robertson (Recruiting Officer) and Morgan Wallace (Dr. Crandall)
The film cast includes three Oscar winners: James Stewart, Charles Coburn,
Walter Huston; and one Oscar nominee: Beulah Bondi.
This film received its USA television premiere in Los Angeles
Friday 23 November 1956 on KTTV (Channel 11) followed
in Philadelphia Monday 2 September 1957 on WFIL (Channel 6);
but it was not telecast in New York City until 7 April 1959
on WCBS (Channel 2) and in San Francisco 27 April 1959 on KGO (Channel 7).
The $72.50 for Jason's uniform in 1861 would be the equivalent of $2,010 in 2016
Goofs
Continuity
At the congregation's initial offering meeting,
a chicken in a wooden cage is placed on the table.
In the next shot the cage has been turned 90 degrees
(note the direction of the cage's handle).
The basket with the cabbage is also in a different position.
When James is told he can't have the magazines and sees they are going to Mr. Ame's son,
he turns away to leave the room twice in successive shots.
Filming Locations
Agoura, California, USA
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Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Clarence Brown Ranch - Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA
Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA (studio)