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The Human Comedy

Play trailer Poster for The Human Comedy 1943 1h 58m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
During World War II, high school student Homer Macauley (Mickey Rooney) and his boss, Willie Grogan (Frank Morgan), pull their weight at the local telegraph office. Homer is dedicated and enthusiastic at first, but becomes troubled when the office begins receiving death notices about local soldiers. Luckily, he finds inspiration in a new hire, the confident Tom Spangler (James Craig). But Tom has troubles of his own. Smitten with Diana Steed (Marsha Hunt), he too must overcome his insecurities.
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The Human Comedy

Critics Reviews

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Ian Kane Epoch Times 09/03/2024
4/5
“The Human Comedy” stands as a timeless portrayal that is both heartwarming and poignant, providing an insightful and inspiring window into the lives of ordinary Americans who navigated the challenges of World War II on the home front. Go to Full Review
André Bazin Poésie 45 12/09/2021
The paradox of The Human Comedy lies in the fact that, with a systematic, exhaustive degree of precision, propaganda reaches the level of a sort of poetry as each lesson is understood separately and carefully set apart as its own sermon. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 05/12/2010
B-
Outdoes Capra in cornball melodrama, but does it well. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 11/09/2006
B
Since Mickey Rooney was then at the height of his popularity, many viewers saw it as just another episode of the Andy Hardy series, but it was actually a bittersweet small-town saga, in the vein of Capra, dealing with the inevitable loss of innocence Go to Full Review
Eric Lurio Greenwich Village Gazette 06/06/2005
3/5
Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies 04/20/2003
3/5
Considerable talent in direction and acting, and if viewers are able to put their cynicism behind them, it is an enjoyable film. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Bobby E Oct 30 This film is not for the hard hearted . It is for people that respect their fellow human being . See more Michael F 09/23/2024 One of the most touching films to come from the 1940s, World War 2 era. Mickey Rooney gives his best performance in this movie. See more Mark B 03/24/2024 It is obviously difficult for Americans of the 2020s to understand what the home front was like during World War II. Our loved ones were being shipped overseas and coming back horribly wounded, or in crates -- or not at all. Wide-sweeping domestic rules and protocols were in place, and in 1943, no one really knew how this was going to turn out. In my quest to watch all ~600 Best Picture-nominated films, I've stumbled on some gems, such as 1946's "The Best Years of Our Lives." I was always amazed at the bravery of that film, to show the harsh realities of PTSD (before it had that name) to an American audience that was literally on top of the world. So when I read about the plot of this one, I thought it was a great opportunity to show what daily life was about for small town Americans who weren't in the war. Hollywood gave us many, many action films, but the fact is only a small percentage of Americans actually saw combat. What a lost opportunity. I guess Hollywood *had* to be pluckish and hopeful in 1943, but good Lord this is one of the most syrupy, maudlin, melodramatic films I've ever seen, and if we made a drinking game based on the number of times Marsha Hunt says "darling," we'd all need liver transplants. Perhaps this could be remade. A realistic homefront film with a slightly-too-young to serve telegram deliverer who tries to not get jaded. Cut out the angelic brother and father, give him an arc, and do it right. Hmm. (#448 in my "watch all Best Picture Nominees" bucket list) See more Quentin P @QQQQQQ 09/30/2023 The Human Comedy is a kind and gentle story of a world that lived in Saroyan's expansive mind, it is a vision of goodness, and it was the earnest talents of the actors that saved it from the saccharine director who loaded it with schmaltz. With lesser talent it would never have been have remembered and loved. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug 04/11/2021 Mickey Rooney's Oscar-nominated performance may be the best of his career. Unfortunately, it takes place in one of the sappiest movies ever made. I don't mind sentimentality in films, but this was just too over the top. See more Steve D 07/22/2020 Corny and forgettable. See more Read all reviews
The Human Comedy

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Movie Info

Synopsis During World War II, high school student Homer Macauley (Mickey Rooney) and his boss, Willie Grogan (Frank Morgan), pull their weight at the local telegraph office. Homer is dedicated and enthusiastic at first, but becomes troubled when the office begins receiving death notices about local soldiers. Luckily, he finds inspiration in a new hire, the confident Tom Spangler (James Craig). But Tom has troubles of his own. Smitten with Diana Steed (Marsha Hunt), he too must overcome his insecurities.
Director
Clarence Brown
Producer
Clarence Brown
Screenwriter
Howard Estabrook
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 2, 1943, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2012
Runtime
1h 58m
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