Mostly told in flashback, the story begins in the present day, as presidential nominee Dewey Roberts (John Sheppard, aka Shepperd Strudwick) prepares to speak at a Washington, D.C. event. Among those in attendance is a somewhat-older-looking woman, Nora Trinell (Claudette Colbert), who hopes for an opportunity to meet with Mr. Roberts. After handing a note to the bellboy, Miss Trinell allows her mind to travel back to April, 1916, when she first met little boy Dewey (Douglas Croft).
A student at Auburn Grammar School, the school where Nora has just begun teaching, Dewey Roberts is a bright and friendly young man. In very short order, a special bond is formed between the boy and his teacher, with Miss Trinell even stopping by Dewey's home when he is absent due to a knee injury and with Dewey naming his model ship the Miss Trinell. Although Dewey's plan has long been to attend his father's old prep school the following year, because of his attachment to Miss Trinell, he changes his mind. Telling his beloved teacher that she's beautiful, Dewey informs her that he is going to stay on at Auburn and play football under Mr. Hopkins (John Payne).
A fellow teacher at Auburn, Dan Hopkins coaches the baseball and football teams. He and Nora fall in love, yet with their positions at the school to be considered, they don't publicly declare their love. Both Nora and Dan are quite close to Dewey, and through postcards they each send him, their relationship comes to the attention of the school principal. Mindful that his teachers need to be setting a good moral example for the students, Mr. Steele requests a resignation. (I don't want to give too much of the story away, so I won't reveal more than that.)
The years go by...Dewey Roberts grows to be a successful man with presidential aspirations...Nora Trinell gets older, touching the lives of countless other students along the way. Now, here in 1941, will they have a chance to speak with one another? And if they do, will Dewey even remember the teacher he used to love so dearly? These questions will play out in the remainder of the film.
Remember the Day is a charming, extremely sentimental movie, with enjoyable performances from all. Miss Colbert and Mr. Payne have terrific chemistry together, and Ann Todd (Ann E. Todd, not British actress Ann Todd) is her usual delightful self. Douglas Croft, who would grow up to be Gary Cooper in Pride of the Yankees and James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy, is another child actor I enjoy watching. He does a great job here. Incredibly heartwarming, this film didn't just get me misty-eyed---it had me heartily weeping.
The film was released shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, in December, 1941, so, obviously it did much more than simply entertain; with its nostalgic, patriotic tone, I'm sure it inspired audiences as well. It definitely worked its nostalgia on me, reminding me of one of the most wonderful, inspiring (and crushable) teachers I ever had---6th grade English teacher, Richard Barnett. I think now is a good time to pull those boxes of yearbooks out of the far recesses of the garage!
Remember the Day is out on DVD (and available through Classic Flix); it used to be available on YouTube, but I can't find it there anymore. I do hope you get a chance to see it, as it is a lovely, heartwarming story and, easily, a 4-star film for me.
Happy viewing!!
