Introduction
Welcome to my corner! Last week, I shared my thoughts on the film Them!. This week, I'm sharing my thoughts on the film Blossoms in the Dust.
On March 3, the TCM TV channel played Blossoms in the Dust during the night/early morning as part of their Oscar-Worthy Heroes lineup.
Enjoy!
Blossoms in the Dust
Blossoms in the Dust is a 1941 American biographical drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Felix Bressart, Marsha Hunt, Fay Holden and Samuel S. Hinds. It tells the story of Edna Gladney, who helped orphaned children find homes and began a campaign to remove the world "illegitimate" from Texas birth certificates, despite the opposition of "good" citizens. The screenplay was by Anita Loos, with a story by Ralph Wheelwright. Some of the important aspects of her life fictionalized in the film are the fact that it was Edna herself who was born out of wedlock; she and Sam eloped on the eve of her marriage to someone else, and they had much more time together before his death (26 years) than given to them in the film.
The film was one of the biggest hits of 1941 for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and began the rise of Geer Garson as on eof the largest stars of the decade. Blossoms in the Dust won an Oscar for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Color, and was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Garson), Best Cinematography, Color, and Best Picture.
Plot: Edna Gladney lost her son when he was very young. By chance she discovered the injustice within the law towards children whose parents are unknown, and decided to open an orphanage for these children, despite the stigma. She fought against the unfair laws that discriminated against children born out of wedlock.
Acting: Greer Garson played Edna Gladney. She's so pretty! Garson was great in this role. She showed a wide range of emotion and depth. I recognized her name and face to an extent. She was a prominent actress in her time (1934-1982). I had to check her IMDB page to see what I've seen her in. I didn't realize she was the narrator for Rankin/Bass' The Little Drummer Boy. I love Rankin/Bass productions! Surprisingly, it doesn't seem like I've seen any of her other films. Four of the films she's most known for are: Pride and Prejudice, Mrs. Miniver, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and Random Harvest.
Walter Pidgeon played Samuel 'Sam' Gladney. He was very fun and playful in this film. I enjoyed watching him on-screen. He had a long career, spanning from 1926-1977. Despite that, I don't think I've seen any of his other work. Four of the movies he's most known for are: How Green Was My Valley?, Forbidden Planet, Funny Girl, and Man Hunt.
Felix Bressart played Doctor Max Breslar. His character was a bit bizarre. I bounced back and forth about whether or not I liked him while I watched the movie. He ended up being an okay guy. I don't think it was so much the actor's fault as it was how the character was written, although I may be wrong. He just seemed like a very cartoon-like character in a real world setting. It didn't work for me, but luckily he wasn't on-screen that much. Other films Bressart is known for include: The Shop Around the Corner, Ninotchka, To Be or Not to Be, and Comrade X.
Technical Aspects: The film was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Irving Asher. Anita Loos wrote the screenplay, and Ralph Wheelwright the story. Mildred Cram, Dorothy Yost and Hugo Butler made uncredited contributions to the script.
It was a good story don't get me wrong, but I find it very disappointing that some of the major plot points in the movie were fictionalized and didn't actually happen to the real Edna Gladney.
Blossoms in the Dust was the first of eight films that Garson and Pidgeon starred in together. Garson also worked with director Mervyn LeRoy on two other films, Random Harvest and Madame Curie.
Themes: Blossoms in the Dust explores themes of motherhood, social justice, and the importance of fighting for vulnerable children. It highlights Gladney's dedication to children's aid and her efforts to change societal attitudes towards orphans and illegitimate children.
In the movie, Edna and Sam have a son who unfortunately dies too young. Due to her health, she's unable to have any more children. Soon after the death of her son, she discovers how orphans are mistreated by the court system, people, and society in general. She then takes it upon herself to take care of local orphans, who have no one to take care of them, let alone fight for them. It's pointed out in the movies that the orphans are treated like cattle with tags, and rejected in a similar way as well. It's by no means an easy fight, but she never seems to give up.
Final Thoughts: I really liked this movie. I would definitely watch it again! As with most of these movies I watch, I'm never sure if I'm going to like them or not. Although, I usually only write my columns on the ones I do enjoy; it's just easier that way.
My only complaint about Blossoms in the Dust is the inaccuracies regarding the real story. I know it's nothing new, but I absolutely hate it when movies are basked on a real story, or real people, and then the film people CHANGE the story or the person. Why do that?! It was obviously important/interesting enough to attract interest, so why stray from the actual story? They usually do it to make the story more interesting, give it more depth, create new emotions, etc., but if you're going to tell (or pretend to tell) the REAL life story of Edna Gladney and even dedicate the film to her, then why lie about SO MANY things?! Most of those LIES were the most tragic parts of the film, the parts that drive the story forward. It just doesn't make sense and it bothers me to no end.
If I hadn't searched up the real story behind Edna, then I wouldn't be so mad. I admit that. But the whole point of making films based on true people/stories is to give recognition to those people! If you don't tell their ACTUAL story, then how is it proper respect and recognition?
Again, this is my only issue with the movie. I loved every other aspect of it. I highly recommend giving it a watch. I would also recommend researching the REAL Edna Gladney. she was an awesome lady.
Where to watch it: Blossoms in the Dust is available to watch on the streaming service Sling TV (according to Google), or you can purchase or rent a digital copy for a few dollars. I've also donated a DVD copy of the film to the Emil M. Larson Library in Clark for you all to enjoy if you choose to.
That's it for this week! What were your thoughts? Feel free to share them with us! You can call us, email us, visit us at the office, leave us a comment or message on Facebook, or even mail us something. Keep the comments, suggestions, questions, submissions, etc. coming our way! We'd love to hear from you!
