"None But the Lonely Heart" (1944) revolves around Ernie Mott, a wandering Cockney with perfect pitch, who returns home to his mother, Ma, after visiting the tomb of the Unknown warrior. Ernie faces a dilemma between freedom and settling down when he learns of his mother's illness. His involvement with a gangster's wife, Ada, leads to tragic consequences. The film delves into themes of independence, family loyalty, love, and the struggle between personal freedom and responsibility towards loved ones.
Plot
The film follows Ernie Mott, a wandering Cockney with perfect pitch, who returns home to his mother, Ma, after visiting the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Ernie faces a dilemma between freedom and settling down when he learns of his mother's illness. His involvement with a gangster's wife, Ada, leads to tragic consequences.
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Cast
- Cary Grant as Ernie Mott
- Ethel Barrymore as Ma Mott
- Barry Fitzgerald as Henry Twite
- June Duprez as Ada Brantline
- Jane Wyatt as Aggie Hunter
- George Coulouris as Jim Mordinoy
- Dan Duryea as Lew Tate
Other roles in the film include:
- Katherine Allen as Millie Wilson (uncredited)
- William Ambler as Bus Driver (uncredited)
- George Atkinson as Man with Gramophone (uncredited)
- Polly Bailey as Ma Floom (uncredited)
- Ted Billings as Cockney Bum (uncredited)
- Rosemary Blong as Dancer (uncredited)
- Sammy Blum as Drunk in Funfair (uncredited)
- Marina Bohnen as Girl (uncredited)
- Matthew Boulton as First Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Genre: Drama
Director: Clifford Odets
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 1944 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Theme
The film explores themes of independence, family loyalty, love, and the struggle between personal freedom and responsibility towards loved ones.
Reception
- Box Office Gross: The film recorded a loss of $72,000.
- Awards: Ethel Barrymore won Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Cary Grant was nominated for Best Actor; Roland Gross was nominated for Best Film Editing; Hanns Eisler and Constantin Bakaleinikoff were nominated for Best Music.
Production Challenges
The film faced challenges related to its script being criticized during House Committee hearings and issues with its musical score composer facing interrogation by the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
Settings
Set in pre-World War II London, the film captures the atmosphere of London's East End.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The film is praised for its rich language adapted from the novel, melodic progression of mood and action, and a magnificent musical score by Hanns Eisler.
Trivia & Fun Facts
- The title is derived from Tchaikovsky's song "None but the Lonely Heart."
- Cary Grant's performance was considered against type but commendable.
- Ethel Barrymore won an Oscar for her role as Ma Mott
