The Southerner (1945)

[Larry's 66 Diner]

TC and I sat and watched this film tonight. Amazingly, I've had it on VHS for quite some time and finally "unearthed" it tonight.

It was a very ... interesting ... film! I can definitely say that it must have been a "B" movie!

As contradictory as it may sound, it was rather "cheesy", yet it was still a great movie with a very easy storyline to follow!

Sam Tucker (Zachary Scott) transplants his family to a rural farm, leaving behind a fairly stable life, in order to take his family to ... well ... NOTHING! They move into an old run-down shack on a farm, rich with great soil in which to start his own farm! His wife, Nona (Betty Field), is very supportive in his decision to start a new life, although she had some hesitations and second-thoughts throughout the movie. His family also included a young daughter and son, as well as Grandma Tucker (played with an outstanding performance by Beulah Bondi)!

They experience many trials in their first year on the farm, trying to get a crop planted; having no money; and dealing with a competitive neighbor!

I was slightly bored during the first few minutes of the film, but it got better as it progressed. Another attribute of this film is the lack of a musical score, which is uncommon! There were only a few spots throughout the film where a small segment of a musical score was in place, but everything else was done with fine acting on the part of lesser-known performers!

[Midge]

Nice review, Larry. I am not much for westerns, but I will watch any movie that has Beulah Bondi in the cast. Wasn't Zachary Scott the weaselly two-timing second husband in Mildred Pierce?

[Larry's 66 Diner]

Midge, I know he was in that cast of Mildred Pierce, but I don't really know who he played, so I can't say for sure. In fact, I know virtually nothing about him.

As for this film, I wouldn't consider it a Western in the usual sense of the word (you know, like gun-slinging and fighting at the saloons etc). However, I guess in a different perspective it could be considered a Western. :unsure:

[Midge]

Zachary Scott played Monte Beragon in Mildred Pierce. If I told you any more, I'd spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie. Let's just say he wasn't a very nice guy.

[tclion]

Well in this movie he was a very nice father and husband.. I don't watch to many b/c movies I like color but this was a great film I took away more than just good acting.... I think more teens should see this and maybe we could change the world....

[diane]

I will havee to watch out for it - just to see Zachery Scott play a nice guy!!!
Betty Field is also supposed to be a very good actress (although I haven't seen her
in anything that I can recall). Last Saturday night I saw "Ruthless". Zachery Scott played
the title - walking over anybody that got in his way, even his childhood sweetheart!!!
He certainly would have good reason to complain about typecasting.

[Larry's 66 Diner]

I'm not familiar with Zachary Scott at all, but from what I gather here, I guess he usually plays villainous roles? WOW! :huh:

I guess I first saw him from a different angle! :thumbsup:

[tclion]

Yes he was a very nice guy in this film.....

[rmichaelpyle]

This was certainly no "B" movie. The photography certainly gives away the director's background. His father was Renoir the French impressionist painter. I think this film is one of the best of its type ever done in Hollywood. The main "problem" with this film is that it was never popular with the public because of its theme. The title, no doubt, at least helped recover some of the costs because of its "draw". The acting in the film is also first rate. The film was up for three Academy Awards when it came out. It actually did win for Best Director for Jean Renoir from the National Board of Review.