Blossoms in the Dust (5 stars)

Blossoms in the Dust, from 1941, is a touching, sentimental drama starring Greer Garson, in an Oscar-nominated performance, and Walter Pidgeon.  Directed by Mervyn LeRoy and featuring Felix Bressart in a supporting role, this film is based on the life of Edna Gladney---a Texas woman who began the Texas Children's Home and Aid Society.  This film touched my life and inspired me in a way no other film has ever done (even more so than my beloved Penny Serenade), and to be quite honest, I wasn't at all sure my heart was sufficiently healed to allow me to watch it again or to write a review.  It was, though, and I thank the Lord for that; however, because this film touched me so deeply five years ago, this review is going to be extremely personal---the most personal review I have ever posted here.

The film begins in Wisconsin at the turn of the 20th century, as Edna Kahly (Greer Garson) begins a whirlwind courtship with Texas businessman Sam Gladney (Walter Pidgeon).

The two are married in February, 1906, and then depart for Texas, where Sam runs his own wheat business.  Sam's business is successful, and the Gladneys are part of the Sherman, Texas, social circle.

After a few years of marriage, Edna gives birth to a little boy, but it is a difficult birth, which renders her unable to withstand another pregnancy.  Though Edna's premarital hope was to have a family of five sons and five daughters, she accepts that there will be no more children and lavishes all her love on her young son.  Sadly, the boy is killed in an accident when he is about three years old, and Edna attempts to ease her grief by pouring herself into the social scene.

Believing Edna needs children---not the social scene---to ease her broken heart, family friend and doctor, Max Bresler (Felix Bressart), brings a little girl to her, asking if she will look after the child.  Initially refusing, Edna admits to the doctor that her infertile condition has left her feeling humiliated, cheated, and useless.  Although Edna initially insists that the doctor get the little girl out of her house, she eventually changes her mind and not only babysits her, but she has opened a day nursery for 19 other children as well.

As the years go by, Edna's devotion to needy children grows ever stronger, and she establishes the Texas Children's Home and Aid Society, where she "works like a fury to get (the children) adopted, then cries when she has to let them go."  Realizing that the children labeled "illegitimate" are branded for life, she sets out to change Texas law, claiming that "there are no illegitimate children, only illegitimate parents."  Through it all, she has a special devotion to a little boy named Tony, and when a couple comes forward with the hopes of adopting him, Edna is forced to make the decision whether to keep him for herself (Sam has died) or allow him to be adopted into a family where he will have both a mother and a father.



Blossoms in the Dust is a beautiful, heart-tugging film, which, as I said, touched me in an extremely personal and life-changing way.  You see, while I have two children, like Edna, my dream of many more (I wanted a total of 5) was shattered by the pain of fertility issues.  I have felt the same shame and humiliation Edna felt.  Her story was my story (except that I didn't lose a child); for that reason, I was deeply moved by this film.  Even the name spoke to my heart---Blossoms in the Dust...blossoms are beautiful, dust is not.  So, I took heart that in the midst of my "dust" (infertility), something beautiful would come forth, and for me, just as for Edna, that something beautiful was the opportunity to get involved in the lives of orphans and/or neglected children. There is an extremely poignant line in the film, one which spoke volumes to me and which brought sobs so great I could hardly breathe.  The doctor tells Edna that Sam "thought God took her baby from her so that thousands of homeless babies would have their chance to be loved."  Had her little boy not died, she might never have taken on her great work of caring for orphans.  In my case, had I not been dealt the "infertility card," I wouldn't have given a thought in the world to the plight of orphaned and neglected children.  With our desire for more children and our ability to provide a good home for them, our family had long been discussing the possibility of adoption, and this film (coupled with Penny Serenade) further inspired us to pursue that path (through the foster care system).  In the end, though, things didn't work out, and our hoped-for adoption fell through in 2010, bringing our plans for more children to a screeching halt; however, the passion for adoption which was put on my heart (in part through this film) has been passed on to my daughter.  I fully expect that I will one day become a grandmother through the beautiful process of adoption.

Because Blossoms in the Dust is so personal for me, it's one of my "love it" 5-star films.  Beyond its inspiring message, though, is the beautiful Greer Garson.  She is terrific (and her usual lovely self!) in this role...and, wow, the chemistry she and Walter Pidgeon had together!!  They are totally wonderful here; it's easy to see that they were completely comfortable with one another and that they enjoyed a deep and abiding friendship off-screen as well.

The film is out on DVD, so I expect you will be able to track it down.  Especially touched by the film will be those who have walked the paths of infertility, adoption, or the loss of a child.  Others, as well, ought to enjoy the inspiring, uplifting story.  I do hope you get a chance to see this one.

Happy viewing!!