![]() ![]() In her own right, Garson is photographed in such a way that is so pure and unblemished with softened features that captivate the screen with true Hollywood glamour. He’s even more muted here, and it works beautifully in juxtaposition with the vivacious energy of Greer Garson. Ronald Colman is always a wonderfully restrained actor who nevertheless is a pleasant lead. It is fateful circumstances outside of their control that keeps them apart, reminding us that oftentimes the world is unjust for no apparent reason. They are what separate him mentally from the love of his life who he isn’t even capable of knowing anymore. Their tragedy is not of their own doing or even due to human depravity. This film hinges on these faint wisps of memories and near deja vu moments that Rainer encounters. There’s little hope of getting out of this cycle, and yet as we would surmise from the very beginning, love wins out. She wonders if her love even has the capacity for happiness now. Paula or Margaret (whatever you want to call her) is caught in such a delicate and maddening predicament. She doesn’t dare reveal her identity but here lies the portion of the film that tugs at the audience’s heartstrings. Hanson, a highly competent, very beautiful woman. But he has no idea who she might be, except for Ms. In this stage of his life, Ronald begins to confide in his secretary who is strikingly familiar to the audience. It seems like ages since we’ve thought of Paula, but this is the true tipping point of the film.However, at the last minute, Kitty calls off the marriage realizing it was always a dream. She pleads and coaxes him to marry her, and since he is genuinely fond of her, he agrees. ![]() He tries his hand in the family business and finds himself very handy at the work while young Kitty continues to correspond with him as she goes through school. His relatives are all in a hubbub upon his arrival with his young step-niece Kitty (Susan Peters) taking an especially great interest in her uncle. Paula is forgotten and all he can recall are the trenches and his old family name, Charles Rainier. But a street accident leaves him shook up once more, and this time around he has no recollection of his last 3 years of life. Then comes the fateful day that “Smithy” visits Liverpool to inquire about a new job. Marriage comes soon after and they are deliriously happy with a child on the way soon enough. She brings him out of his shell, making him feel like a man again. His war injuries inhibit his speech, but Paula’s vibrant personality is the best possible therapy he could ever receive. She sees it in his eyes that he’s a good man, and watches over him rather like a guardian angel. Until the day he escapes and happens to run into Paula (Garson), a compassionate stage performer who never lets him alone again. His life is one of isolation in an asylum. But there’s need for some explanation.Ī man (Colman) returned from the great war with no memory to speak of, barely able to talk, and no family to vouch for him. Theirs is the story of Paula Ridgeway and Smithy, or Charles Rainier and Margaret Hanson, or closer yet, both of these stories together. He’s the perfect gentleman and Greer Garson is his perfect counterpart. There’s not a mean bone in Ronald Colman’s body. ![]()
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