OUR TOWN (1940) William Holden, Martha Scott & Fay Bainter | Drama, Romance | B&W

Our Town is a 1940 American drama romance film adaptation of the 1938 play of the same name by Thornton Wilder, starring Martha Scott as Emily Webb, and William Holden as George Gibbs. The cast also included Fay Bainter, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell, Guy Kibbee and Frank Craven. It was adapted by Harry Chandlee, Craven and Wilder, and directed by Sam Wood.

The film was a faithful reproduction of the play except for two significant changes: the film used scenery, whereas the play had not; the events of the third act, which in the play revolve around the death of one of the main characters, were turned into a dream from which she awakens, allowing her to resume a normal life. Producer Sol Lesser worked with Wilder in creating these changes. Wilder wrote Lesser that "Emily should live.... In a movie you see the people so close "to" that a different relation is established. In the theater, they are halfway abstractions in an allegory, in the movie they are very concrete.... It is disproportionately cruel that she die. Let her live...."

A radio adaptation of the film on Lux Radio Theater on May 6, 1940, used the altered film ending.

The U.S. copyright of the film was not renewed after its first term expired in 1968.

SYNOPSIS
In the early 20th century, change comes slowly to the small New Hampshire town of Grover's Corners. The residents live peacefully and in harmony, embodying a close-knit community. Among them are Dr. Gibbs, his wife Julie, and their two children, George and Rebecca. They are neighbors to the Webbs, who have a lovely daughter, Emily, and a younger son, Wally.

As time passes, George and Emily fall in love. After three years of courting, they get married, further intertwining the lives of their two families. Their life together progresses, but complications arise after the birth of their second child when Emily becomes very sick.

During her illness, Emily finds herself in a kind of in-between world where she meets all the people who have left this world in the years before. In this state, she reflects on her previous life and the memories she cherishes. Ultimately, Emily decides to embrace life, and she wakes up from her dream, choosing to return to her loved ones.

CAST & CREW
William Holden as George Gibbs
Martha Scott as Emily Webb
Fay Bainter as Mrs. Julia Gibbs
Tim Davis as Joe Crowell Jr.
Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Myrtle Webb
Thomas Mitchell as Dr. Frank F. Gibbs
Guy Kibbee as Mr. Charles Webb
Dix Davis as Si Crowell[3][4]
Stuart Erwin as Howie Newsome
Frank Craven as Stage Manager
Doro Merande as Mrs. Louella Soames
Philip Wood as Simon Stimson
Ruth Tobey as Rebecca Gibbs (as Ruth Toby)
Douglas Gardiner as Wally Webb
Arthur B. Allen as Prof. Willard (as Arthur Allen)
Charles Trowbridge as Rev. Dr. Ferguson
Spencer Charters as Const. Bill Warren

Directed by: Sam Wood
Screenplay by: Harry Chandlee, Frank Craven, Thornton Wilder
Based on: Our Town (1938 play) by Thornton Wilder
Produced by: Sol Lesser
Cinematography: Bert Glennon
Edited by: Sherman Todd
Music by: Aaron Copland
Production Company: Sol Lesser Productions
Distributed by: United Artists
Release Date: May 24, 1940 (United States)
Running Time: 90 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: Approximately $1 million

NOTES
Score
Aaron Copland accepted the invitation to compose the musical score for the screen version of life in the small town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. He explained, "For the film version, they were counting on the music to translate the transcendental aspects of the story. I tried for clean and clear sounds and in general used straight-forward harmonies and rhythms that would project the serenity and sense of security of the story." Copland arranged about ten minutes from the film score for a suite. It is dedicated to Leonard Bernstein.

Awards
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Scott, who reprised her stage role as Emily Webb, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Aaron Copland was nominated for Best Score and Thomas T. Moulton was nominated for Best Sound.