Her Twelve Men (4 stars)

Her Twelve Men is a sweet, sometimes sentimental, 1954 drama starring the beautiful Greer Garson and the tremendously underrated Robert Ryan (in a role totally counter to the usual "heavies" he plays).  At first glance, Garson and Ryan seem like a strange pairing, but I think they were fabulous together, and as a huge Ryan fan, I must admit that I enjoyed seeing him in a good-guy role for a change.  While he plays the villain so well (such as Billy Budd, Bad Day at Black Rock, and Crossfire to name just a few), I think he was a very versatile actor and could do equally well with a "softer" role.  He is definitely high on my list of favorites, and I enjoyed him very much in Her Twelve Men.

Greer Garson, with her lovely lilting brogue, portrays Jan Stewart, a young widow who has just been hired as the first female teacher at The Oaks, a boarding school for boys.  Since the school has never had a woman teacher before and no one is quite sure what to expect, she is hired on a one year trial.  Her job will be to teach and be house-mother to a group of twelve pre-adolescent boys...many of which have been sent there by parents who just don't want to be bothered with them.

Joe Hargrave (played by Robert Ryan), who is in charge of the lower school, feels that Jan is unqualified for the position but, nevertheless, wants to help her make a difference in the lives of the boys.  Continually angered by parents who ignore their children and then expect the school to straighten them out, Joe is completely devoted to his position.

The boys in Jan's ward include Bobby, whose parents are on the Riviera and who don't miss him at all, and spoiled Dick, whose widowed dad travels three weeks out of the month, leaving Dick to the care of the servants.  How these boys' lives are changed by the love and care of Jan (and Joe) is the crux of the movie.

I read film critic Leonard Maltin's review of Her Twelve Men (on the TCM website) and was totally shocked.  He gave the movie two out of four stars, saying that "Her Twelve Men was a failed attempt to repeat the success of GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS."  I totally disagree with Mr. Maltin on this one.  I enjoyed Her Twelve Men far more than Goodbye, Mr. Chips.  It's sweet and tender and got me misty-eyed on several occasions.  (Not that Mr. Chips didn't, but I definitely didn't connect with Mr. Chips as I connected with Her Twelve Men, probably in large part due to my appreciation of Robert Ryan.)

Anyhow, I highly recommend Her Twelve Men.  I don't think it's out on DVD, though you might be able to track down a VHS copy through the library system.  Also, TCM shows it fairly often, so you can catch it there.  Oh, and by the way, it's in color.

Happy viewing to all!!!

Random Harvest (5 stars)

Random Harvest is a sweet, sentimental, heart-tugger from 1942, starring Greer Garson and Ronald Colman. The story takes place in England at the close of World War I. Ronald Colman's character, who was injured during the war, has amnesia and has no idea of his identity...the doctors simply call him "Smith." He is being kept at a psychiatric hospital while the doctors try to locate his family.

In the rejoicing that ensues with the ending of the war, "Smith" wanders away from the hospital and soon meets lovely Paula Ridgeway (Greer Garson), who sings and dances at a little pub nearby. They have an instant bond, and when he can't remember his name and tells her he is called "Smith," she nicknames him "Smithy."

Paula and "Smithy" soon marry and settle into life in a little country cottage.They welcome a son into their family just before "Smithy" journeys to the city on a business venture. While in the city, "Smithy" is involved in an accident...which triggers his memory. Now, he knows who he is...Charles Ranier...but he has no recollection of the two years since his war injury...meaning, he has no memory of "Smithy," or Paula, or the son she bore.

Years go by, and Charles tries to carry on his privileged life. But deep within him is the memory of a love he doesn't really remember, but which he can't get out of his mind. Try as he might, he cannot find happiness...he can't find love. The memory of a real and true love prevents him from finding love with another.

Okay, have I aroused y'all's curiosity? Are y'all wondering if Charles will ever remember Paula? Will they ever get back together? I won't say anymore, as I don't want to spoil your viewing, but suffice to say, that this is another of the movies that always makes me teary-eyed. There are no big huge sobs, but Random Harvest definitely touches my heart and makes me misty-eyed. It's one of my fifteen all-time favorite movies, and I highly recommend it. It is out on DVD and should be readily available through Net Flix or your local library.