Film & Water #95 – The Best Years of Our Lives

THE FILM & WATER PODCAST

Episode 95: THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES

Rob welcomes back film blogger and podcaster DAVID FIORE to discuss William Wyler’s Oscar-winning 1946 post-war drama THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, starring Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Dana Andrews, and Virginia Mayo.

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11 responses to “Film & Water #95 – The Best Years of Our Lives

  1. I am most eager to listen to the discussion of this landmark and wonderful movie. But before I do there is a bit of news to pass along:

    TCM will be airing the 2017 version of its Essentials series starting this weekend with Gilda featuring screen goddess Rita Hayworth. The most exciting part of the new run of episodes is that they will be hosted by Alec Baldwin and David Letterman!! Set your Tivos.

  2. Well, you sold it well Rob. Next time I see this on TCM, I’m going to give it a watch. I’ve seen it listed before, and I think I even caught a bit of the end of it, maybe it was a Frederic March marathon because I DVRed Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. But either way, you and David have convinced me!

    Great episode gents.

    Chris

    1. I don’t know anyone who has seen this movie that hasn’t liked it. As I mentioned on the show, it can sound like homework but I think this is a highly entertaining movie in its own right, outside of the social message(s).

  3. Here’s an interesting postscript on Harold Russell: In 1992, he sold his Oscar at auction to help finance his wife’s medical bills. It sold for $60,000. believe it is the only Academy Award ever sold. Since 1950, all Oscar winners are required to sign a form that they will not sell the award.

    1. I heard about this, and it made me sad. No one should have to sell a prized possession like that to pay for medical bills. But of course not everyone feels that way…

      I forgot to mention that Harold Russell has a purposely very spotty career in film after this. He’s in Richard Donner’s INSIDE MOVES, the small little “personal” film Richard Donner did following the herculean effort that was SUPERMAN. He also appeared in two episodes of one of my favorite TV shows, CHINA BEACH.

  4. Add me to the ones who will tape when I see it being aired again. The 3 hour length as well as the concern it would be a total downer has kept me away despite the presence of Loy and Wright (two personal favorites).

    1. Yeah I totally get why people shy away from it, but I think its a highly rewarding watch. Even at three hours, I never feel for one moment the movie drags.

  5. My wife and I watched a Love Boat with Buddy Hackett last night.

    I realized that Episode 100 should be a big round-table IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD discussion.

    I know that doesn’t relate to THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. But that thought just hit me and I can’t let it go to waste.

  6. I must’ve seen this film six or seven times and have never ever noticed the length – I just get so immersed and want to stay in that world awhile.

    I like the fact that the film is rather obscure because it means I can introduce it to people – every time I show someone, they’re knocked out by its artfulness, it’s sheer heart.

    So, when are you lads doing Till the End of Time? I know this isn’t like me, but having heard David’s recommendation, I’ve ordered it… it’s due around my birthday next month, so put the episode out early July, huh?

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