SYNOPSICS
Journey for Margaret (1942) is a English movie. W.S. Van Dyke,Herbert Kline has directed this movie. Robert Young,Laraine Day,Fay Bainter,Nigel Bruce are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1942. Journey for Margaret (1942) is considered one of the best Drama,War movie in India and around the world.
1940. For the better part of the war thus far, New York news correspondent John Davis and his wife Nora Davis have been in the hot spots of western Europe, including Rotterdam and much of France, which has just fallen to the Nazis. The war has taken a toll on John professionally, as he has closed himself off emotionally in his writing solely to be able to cope. They have decided to move to London where they consider a safer place to start their family, but still within the war zone for John to do his work. A tragic event results in Nora too closing herself off from the war happening around them, she and John who ultimately decide to move back to Connecticut. With Nora having left and John having one more story left to write, things change when that story deeply effects John. That story is about Riswick Children's House run by caring Trudy Strauss, it which takes in children displaced by the war, especially those that have faced some sort of trauma. He especially connects with two ...
Journey for Margaret (1942) Reviews
no cliche, this one
How refreshing it is to come across a World War Two film minus the usual cliche scenes and ideas that infiltrated so many movies during the war years. Robert Young (as reporter John Davis) gives a consistent and profound portrayal surrounding a real concern for the human condition in terms of the effects of war on children. Margaret O'Brien (as orphan Margaret White)is haunting as the child with the magnesium bomb. William Severn's performance (as playmate Peter Humphreys) is addictive. But then there is so much good acting in this film by so many of the cast, especially that of Fay Bainter (as Trudy Strauss). The film makes it clear that war is the common enemy of all children, for, as Trudy says, "surely children must be allowed to cry for all they have lost."
Very melodramatic but effective--this movie will pull at your heart!
Margaret O'Brien did a lot of movies as a child actress and in several of them, there was such as high level of "schmaltziness" (i.e., way over the top sentimentality) that for a while, I avoided her films. I later realized this was just due to an occasionally bad script and she WAS generally a very good young actress--as I later saw in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES as well as this film. Now, although this is a wonderful movie, it will definitely tug at your heart--but not in a phony or manipulative way. So, when you watch it's best to have a box of tissues handy--even if you are a guy! Robert Young and Laraine Day are a young couple who just lost their only child. Later, when Young is in England during the war, he goes to a local orphanage--wondering if maybe he and Day should consider adopting. However, what he didn't anticipate was charming little Ms. O'Brien and how ultimately SHE picked HIM out to be her new father! Plus, she had befriended a little boy at the orphanage and wanted to bring him along as part of the deal. While Young's heart is definitely captivated, there are so many complications---not the least of which is whether or not his wife even wants to adopt--let along TWO kids at the same time! The movie is a nice blending of sentiment and positive wartime propaganda. Your emotions are stirred AND the film really does a lot to advance the war effort--giving us a lot to fight for when we think about the kids! A great wartime movie with a wonderful script, excellent acting and a deftness in direction that keeps your interest throughout.
The war through the eyes of a child is thrilling and frightening, more so if you are alone.
I accidently came across this movie while channel surfing. I was stuck in my seat, it has the old time romance, but through all the softness it seems to show you the horrors of war through a child's eyes. It was one of those movies you wish would never end.
London in wartime
"Journey for Margaret" is a propaganda film but with a twist. Made in 1942, right after the U.S. entered World War II, it's based on a real story. A reporter, John Davis (Robert Young), and his wife Nora(Laraine Day) are caught in London during the blitz. Nora loses the baby she is carrying and eventually goes home to the states. John stays, but the passion that made him a powerful writer is gone. He's seen too much hopelessness and futility. While working an air raid, he helps to save a little boy, Peter, from a home where the rest of the family is killed. It leaves an indelible impression on him. John meets Peter again when he visits an orphanage run by Trudy Strauss (Fay Bainter). There he also meets a very traumatized little girl, Margaret (Margaret O'Brien). Peter and Margaret bond with John. When it comes time for him to leave England, he wants to bring them with him to the states and adopt them. But all the flights to Lisbon are full for months in advance, and the only way he can bring them is to bring them as his 40 pound luggage limit. So that means only one child can go with him. This is a really interesting film with excellent acting from everyone. Young gives a heartfelt performance, and Day is very touching as his wife. Margaret O'Brien, even at age 4 or 5, was capable of strong emotional acting. Wonderful story.
TRUE STORY TURNED INTO TRULY SPECIAL MOVIE!
"Journey For Margaret" was one of the best movies regarding WWII I have ever seen. Did you know this was based on a true story? I read it in an old Readers Digest, and the original tale is much sadder as because of wartime regulations, only Margaret can be adopted and taken back to America. However, there is no way that ending would have played in 1942! Robert Young and Laraine Day, overlooked so often when discussing MGM/old Hollywood stars, really portray the pathos of would-be parents losing, then gaining their chance of parenthood. Don't miss this flick when it next plays on Turner Classic!