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"Since
You Went Away" was
based on a book by Margaret Buell Wilder which consisted of
a series of letters that she wrote to her husband while he
was away at war. She wrote about the difficulties of raising
two teenage daughters alone as well as the loneliness that
her family had to cope with while he was away. David
Selznick had been looking for months for a film project to
show his support during the war. He did not want to
do a "war movie" but instead wanted to focus on the experiences
of a family at home.
A
staff member submitted Wilder's book to Selznick and he knew
immediately that it was the story he was looking for. Of course
he wanted to do the film on an epic scale, so he did a complete
overhaul of the book and began work on a massive screenplay.
More characters were added and the roles of the daughters
were expanded. Selznick was particularly interested in the
older daughter, Jane, because he knew that it would be a great
part for Jennifer.
 Selznick
worked hard to gather a first rate cast. He coaxed Shirley
Temple out of retirement to play the younger daughter Brig.
For the pivotal role of Anne Hilton, he wanted Claudette Colbert,
who at first balked at playing the mother of two teen aged
daughters. Selznick, along with the help of gossip columnist
Hedda Hooper, convinced her that it would be an important
role and she soon signed on. The smaller roles in the film
were also played by great actors. Joseph Cotten, a rising
young actor from Orson Wells' Mercury Players, would play
a close friend of the family (whom Jane has a crush on). Another
Mercury Player, Agnes Moorehead, portrayed Emily Hawkins,
Anne's self-centered friend. Rounding out the supporting parts
were Hattie McDaniel who played Fidelia, the Hilton's devoted
maid and Monty Woolley would play Colonel Smollett, who the
Hiltons take in as a tenant in order to earn extra income.
Sprinkled throughout the film are notable cameos by Nazimova
(her last film), Gordon Oliver, Florence Bates, Dorothy Dandridge,
Ruth Roman and Rhonda Fleming, Guy Madison and John Derek.
 The most
interesting casting, however, was Robert Walker as Bill Smollett,
Jane's love interest. It is not clear why Selznick went to
great lengths to borrow Walker from MGM on loanout because
the situation caused great turmoil and strife on the set.
Walker and Jones were separated during the filming and their
love scenes together would prove difficult for both of them.
Jennifer was was very unhappy during the filming not only
because of the situation with Walker but also because she
felt that she was too old for the part of Jane.
 Many
films set during World War II seem very dated today but Since
You Went Away holds up well. It is overlong but has many
memorable scenes and some well executed "big" scenes that,
surprising for Selznick, do not go overboard. Perhaps the
most memorable scene is the train station farewell scene when
Bill leaves for war. It is one of Jennifer's most outstanding
acting scenes. She was very good at expressing sentiment and
this scene is a perfect example of that. Other memorable scenes
include Nazimova's moving speech to Colbert about what America
means to her. And, one of my favorites, the final scene with
Colbert alone on Christmas eve after her daughters have gone
to bed.
 Since
You Went Away is one of Selznick's finest films and and
a beautiful example of movie making at its best. In addition
to the excellent actors, the film's technical achievements
are exemplary. It is beautifully photographed by Lee Garmes
and Stanely Cortez. There are numerous excellent shots of
the Hilton's house which involved miniatures. The cinematographers
also used light to convey mood and metaphor in several scenes.
Notice how, in the train station scene and in the scene at
Emily's dance, initially everything looks bright, but gets
progressively darker to reflect the darkening mood of the
characters. The score is also notable and won an Oscar for
composer Max Steiner. That was the only Academy Award
won by Since You Went Away although it was nominated
for nine (Best Picture, Actress (Colbert), Supporting Actor
(Woolley), Supporting Actress (Jones), Cinematography, Special
Effects, Interior Decoration, Score, and Editing.
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