A Niche In Film History All Its Own Home Town Story is a fine little film that gets noticed due to a supporting role played by Marilyn Monroe. It's not Gone With The Wind or The Wizard of Oz, but it definitely has a niche in film history all its own.
I own it on DVD and have seen it 8 times! Needless to say, I enjoy watching Home Town Story.
It's a movie with a message and it contains an appreciation for aspects of America which are often denigrated in modern movies: integrity, hard work and profits. Yes, I said profits!
This movie shows a man with a biased point of view who comes to realize that his political views have indeed compromised his his judgement, his sense of fair mindedness and even his integrity. This 1951 movie is just as relevant today as it was then. The folks who are the loudest critics of Home Town story are like the main character, Blake MacFarland, at the beginning of the movie: overly harsh and critical and even closed minded to any ideology other than their own.
The truth that is relevant and brilliant about Home Story is what it exposes about its critics: an unwillingness to consider that any opinion other than their own could have merit until they can no longer refute the truth nor live with their denial of it.
Jeffrey Lynn, an actor previously unknown to me, gave a serious portrayal of his character, Blake MacFarland. Marjorie Reynolds was good as his patient fiancee. Alan Hale, Jr. was funny and touching in his role as coworker and true friend of Blake MacFarland. Donald Crisp is right on target in his portrayal of a wise and successful as well as talented business man who was compassionate and humble. Barbara Brown, Melinda Plowman and yes, Marilyn Monroe, are all fine in supporting roles. The director kept the film moving at a brisk pace and the editing is good. The story does not seem dated.
Kudos to the director for giving Marilyn Monroe a chance to shine for a few minutes in this film. It's a treat to see the work she did and see her in something different. There is an integrity to her performance, even in the long shots of her working at her desk, that is fascinating to me.
There's a reason Home Town Story, a film never released in theaters, is showing up on DVD and on TV. It's the message and the integrity of the film. Marilyn Monroe played minor roles in several movies in the very early 1950's, but none with a solid message like this one, not even All About Eve or The Asphalt Jungle which are indeed superior movies. Home Town Story has a niche all its own in film history. It's a good movie, fun to watch and worth adding to your DVD Collection.