A Man to Remember (1938)

What makes it different from others?

Am I Missing Something?

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

This is a great story that unfortunately many have not seen or even aware of its existence. When you view this movie remember it was made in 1938 in the middle of the great depression. how a person is willing to sacrifice for others and not expect much if anything in return. It is not so reflective of our modern times and thinking. The script is not unusual but the acting in my opinion is so honest. It is sad that the only version is a copy from the Netherlands. I do not see this movie listed in any rating for 1938. Is this because it was lost or am I just wrong. If you get a chance please watch and enjoy this great story of compassion.

A remake of "one man's journey" (1933)," a man to remember" has no big names such as Lionel Barrymore and Joel McCrea (not still the western star he would become) but it has Dalton Trumbo's writing,which is a good asset.The two screenplays roughly follow the same pattern:a doctor devotes his whole life to heal the poor,and helps his son to make a brilliant career when he stays an obscure physician.The film goes full circle:it begins with Abott's funeral and ends with the letter signed by the whole town which falls from his hand ;the scene of the people coming to thank their dear doctor is more moving than the reception of the first version in which a leading light of the medical world praises him to the skies ;the names were changed:Watt became Abott,Letty -adopted since she was born in the two movies- became Jean (who this time marries Dick,the doctor's son).The plot is less melodramatic (Jean's romance is much less "serious" that in Robertson's work and the part of the prodigal father is simplified );it has also more humor ,notably in the scene of the notary and the three vultures ;I would recommend this version ;the other one seems muddled by comparison.

Dalton Trumbo wrote the screenplay for this sentimental tale of an unselfish country doctor who cared for rich and poor alike. EDWARD ELLIS is Dr. John Abbott and little DICKIE JONES is his son. Jones was the little boy who supplied the voice for Disney's PINOCCHIO. When an orphan girl is left on Ellis' doorstep, the orphan girl grows up to be ANNE SHIRLEY and LEE BOWMAN is the grown-up Dickie Jones.It's a leisurely tale that moves slowly without the usual melodramatics one might expect in a story of a country doctor--with the only dramatic touch coming well past the midway point with a possible epidemic of infantile paralysis causing the doctor to advise the townspeople to cancel the upcoming country fair. His theory meets with resistance until the feared outbreak occurs and then the townspeople can't thank him enough for all his work.There's a Frank Capra feel to this kind of story, but director Garson Kanin keeps it pretty well in command and prevents the sentimentality from becoming too thick.Summing up: Good, but not quite the inspiring yarn it was intended to be thanks to below level production values and rather routine performances.

This is one of the great unheralded films...called movies in those days...of the century. I saw it the age of 10 and it remained clearly in my mind for 50 years. Now that IMDB has refreshed my memory with the names of the director (Garson Kanin) and screenwriter (Dalton Trumbo), I understand why it remains one of my favorites in the entire history of the cinema.