To Each His Own (film)

To Each His Own (film)

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To Each His Own
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Mitchell Leisen
Produced by	Charles Brackett
Written by	Charles Brackett (story) Jacques Théry Dodie Smith (uncredited)
Starring	Olivia de Havilland Mary Anderson John Lund
Music by	Victor Young
Cinematography	Daniel L. Fapp
Edited by	Alma Macrorie
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	March 12, 1946 (1946-03-12)
Running time	122 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$3.6 million (US rentals)[1]

To Each His Own is a 1946 American romantic drama film.^[2][3] It was directed by Mitchell Leisen, and stars Olivia de Havilland, Mary Anderson, Roland Culver, and John Lund in his first on-screen appearance, where he played dual roles as father and son. The screenplay was written by Charles Brackett and Jacques Théry. A young woman bears a child out of wedlock and has to give him up.

De Havilland won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Brackett and Théry were nominated for Best Writing, Original Story.

Contents

 [hide] 

• 1 Plot
• 2 Cast
• 3 Home media
• 4 Influences
• 5 Critical reception
  • 5.1 Awards
• 6 References
• 7 Further reading
• 8 External links

Plot[edit]

In World War II London, fire wardens Josephine "Jody" Norris (Olivia de Havilland) and Lord Desham (Roland Culver) keep a lonely vigil. When Jody saves Desham's life, they become better acquainted. With a bit of coaxing, the ageing spinster tells the story of her life, leading to a flashback.

Jody is the belle of her small American hometown of Piersen Falls. Both Alex Piersen (Phillip Terry) and traveling salesman Mac Tilton (Bill Goodwin) propose to her. However, she turns them both down. A disappointed Alex marries Corinne (Mary Anderson). When handsome US Army Air Service fighter pilot Captain Bart Cosgrove (John Lund) flies in to promote a World War I bond drive, he and Jody quickly fall in love, though they have only one night together.

A pregnant Jody is advised (out of town) that her life is in danger and she needs an operation. She agrees, though she would lose her unborn child. However, when she learns that Bart has been killed in action, she changes her mind. She secretly gives birth to their son in 1919. She tries to arrange it so that she can "adopt" the boy without scandal by having him left on the doorstep of a family with too many children already, but the scheme backfires. Corinne loses her own newborn that same day, but is consoled by Jody's. Jody has to love her son, named Gregory or "Griggsy," from afar.

Jody's father dies, forcing her to sell the family drug store. When Jody asks to become Griggsy's nurse, Corinne turns her down; she has suspected all along that Jody is the boy's real mother. Knowing that her husband never loved her, Corinne is determined to keep the one person who does.

Jody moves to New York City to work for Mac. She discovers to her surprise that he is a bootlegger, using a cosmetics business as a front. The same day, the place is raided by the police, leaving Mac with nothing but the cosmetics equipment. Jody persuades him to make cold cream; with her drive and determination, she builds up a thriving business, and they become rich.

In 1924, she forces Corinne to give her Griggsy by threatening to block a desperately needed bank loan for Alex's failing business. After two months, however, the four-year-old (played by Billy Ward) is still so miserably homesick, Jody gives up and sends the boy back.

Heartbroken, Jody leaves the US to immerse herself in work, setting up and running the English branch of her Lady Vyvyan Cosmetics Company. During World War II, her son (also played by John Lund) becomes a pilot in the 8th Air Force. When he gets a leave in London, Jody meets his train and fusses over him. He only knows her as a family friend. Lord Desham, who is attracted to Jody, uses his influence to arrange for the young man to marry his WREN fiancée without the customary delay. After some broad hints from Desham, Lieutenant Pierson finally realizes why Jody has been so helpful and asks his mother (by that title) for a dance.

Cast[edit]

• Olivia de Havilland as Miss Josephine 'Jody' Norris
• Mary Anderson as Corinne Piersen
• Roland Culver as Lord Desham
• Phillip Terry as Alex Piersen
• Bill Goodwin as Mac Tilton
• Virginia Welles as Liz Lorimer
• Victoria Horne as Nurse Daisy Gingras
• Griff Barnett as Daniel Norris
• Alma Macrorie as Belle Ingram
• Bill Ward as Gregory - Younger
• Frank Faylen as Babe
• Willard Robertson as Dr. Hunt
• Arthur Loft as Bernadock Clinton
• Virginia Farmer as Mrs. Cora Clinton
• Doris Lloyd as Miss Pringle
• Clyde Cook as Mr. Harkett
• Ida Moore as Miss Claflin
• Mary Young as Mrs. Nix
• John Lund as Captain Bart Cosgrove / Gregory Pierson

Home media[edit]

• To Each His Own (VHS). Universal Studios. February 17, 1998. 
• To Each His Own (DVD (region 2)). Universal Studios. 

Influences[edit]

The film was remade in India as the Hindi hit film Aradhana (1969)^[4][5] which made Rajesh Khanna a major star.^[6][7]

Critical reception[edit]

ALTFG said "To Each His Own is surprisingly direct in its handling of an unwed mother, paralleling Jody's increasing coldness with the detached—but honest—flashbacks that comprise the bulk of the film."^[8] one reviewer at Cinescene said "In To Each His Own, the sufferer is able to learn something from her mistakes and misfortunes, growing past her grief and distress into a kind of wisdom. The picture has style, but also a sincerity of sentiment that gives it distinction."^[9] Another wrote, "Forthrightly feminist avant la lettre, the film is conscious of constraints, but committed to its movement forward: less resentful than resourceful, and more stalwart than strident, yet angry and determined nonetheless."^[10]

ClassicFilmGuide deemed it "A marvelous sentimental (and now dated) story ".^[11] JigsawLounge wrote "Brackett's screenplay is a wonder of intricate construction, with pretty much every minor detail of character and plot introduced for a reason which 'pays off' much later in the script. on sober reflection, it is a rather tall tale—and more than the usual degree of disbelief-suspension may be required here and there. But this should prove a very simple task for all but the most hard-headed of audiences: To Each His Own's combination of emotional resonance and a lively wit is potent, and enduring."^[12] San.beck said, "This maudlin drama explores the loneliness of a woman who is successful in business but has only one relative she rarely sees. The world wars made for some quick marriages and many widows."^[13] NicksFlickPicks gave the film a rating of 3 stars out of 5.^[14] TV Guide said, "What might have been a trite soap opera is elevated to the status of superior emotional drama by a wise script, sensitive direction, and an Oscar-winning performance by de Havilland."^[15]

Awards[edit]

Year	Award	Recipient	Result
1946	New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress	Olivia de Havilland	2nd place
1947	Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role	Olivia de Havilland	Won
1947	Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story	Charles Brackett	Nominated