38: RANDOM HARVEST
(Year refers to British release)
Running Time: 124 minutes
Black/White
Estimated Attendance: 12 million
What they said at the time...
Synopsis
Romantic drama. On Armistice Day, 1918, Major Charles Rainier escapes from the asylum where, under the name of John Smith, he is being cared for, having lost his memory and his speech through being blown up at the front. He accidentally meets Paula, who is a member of a theatrical troupe. She devotes herself to him, and though he does not regain his memory he becomes a normal member of society again and they get married. One day he goes to Liverpool on business, is knocked down and regains his memory but forgets the immediate past. He returns to his real home and devotes himself to business, becoming a leader of industry. Paula comes to him as his secretary, but he does not recognise her. After a brief romance with somebody else he goes into Parliament, and marries her as he finds he has to have a partner. This marriage of convenience continues for some years until through a series of coincidences he regains his memory and recognises his wife as Paula.
Review
The film is based on James Hilton's novel, and like Mrs Miniver is a most affecting film, thanks to the acting abilities of Greer Garson as Paula and Ronald Colman as Charles Rainier. Though Hollywood has tried to take every precaution to reproduce the English scene, some small error of detail or behaviour frequently obtrudes itself upon the senses and jars. A word of praise must be said for Susan Peters' sincere performance as Kitty, the young girl with whom Rainier has a brief and rather tragic romance before marrying Paula for the second time.
Synopsis and Review from Monthly Film Bulletin Vol.10 p.6 1943
The Monthly Film Bulletin was published by the BFI between 1934 and 1991. Initially aimed at distributors and exhibitors as well as filmgoers, it carried reviews and details of all UK film releases. In 1991, the Bulletin was incoporated into Sight and Sound magazine.
