Film of the Week: Light in the Piazza, 1962

Meg Johnson—the wife of a wealthy American executive—has taken her twenty-six year old daughter, Clara, on holiday to Italy. Clara, a delicate blonde seems like any other young American girl, at first. She’s delighted by the sights and smells of Italy, has a love for dogs and babies and is attracted to the dark-haired gents who find her appealing. On closer inspection, there is something a little different about Clara. He mother seems overly protective of the young woman who does, in fact, seem a little more innocent than most, a little more naive.

Meg has good reason to be protective of Clara. As a child, Clara suffered severe injuries in an accident and, as a result, is severely brain-damaged. While quite functional, Clara has the mental age of a small child. So, when a handsome Italian man named Fabrizio takes a fancy to Clara, Meg is rightfully concerned. As much as Meg tries to avoid Fabrizio, he keeps showing up with small tokens of affection for Clara and offers to show them the beauty of Italy.

Despite Meg’s concerns, Fabrizio and Clara fall in love. Soon, Meg has a difficult choice to make. Should she put a stop to the romance? Should she tell Fabrizio and his well-meaning family that her daughter is “different”? Of course, Meg’s husband has a lot to say on the subject—as does Clara herself. Eventually, Meg makes a decision, but is her choice the right one?

Based on the 1960 novella of the same name by Elizabeth Spencer, Light in the Piazza stars Olivia de Havilland as Meg Johnson, Yvette Mimieux as Clara and a young, remarkably un-leathery George Hamilton as Fabrizio. Produced by Arthur Freed and directed by Guy Green for MGM, this beautifully photographed film has long been a fan favorite as well as a source of inspiration for many people facing equally difficult romantic choices. In 2003, the novel and film were adapted into a musical which won a Tony Award in 2005.

Film of the Week: They Won’t Forget, 1937

Though at first glance, 1937’s They Won’t Forget seems like a simple story about a small Southern town, a secretarial school, a girl and her sweater. As the film continues, however, it’s clear that there’s more going on. This is a tale of racism, murder and continued, post-Civil-War resentment.


Based on Ward Greene’s novel Death in The Deep South, the film is also a fictionalized account of a true murder case—1913’s trial and subsequent lynching of Leo Frank following the murder of Mary Phagan. Directed by an un-credited Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Jack Warner for Warner Brothers, the film stars Claude Rains, Gloria Dickson, Edward Norris, and an almost unrecognizable Lana Turner in her first film role.

The film begins on Confederate Memorial Day as a small Southern Town is rocked by the murder of one of their most beloved young citizens. What develops in a vicious tale of politics, prejudice and enduring distrust between the North and the South.

Rains gives an excellent performance as cruel District Attorney, Andrew Griffin. Similarly, Edward Norris is superb in the role of the teacher who is wrongly accused of the girl’s murder. The performances are heavily 1930’s in style, but they hold up well and are perfect in communicating the subject matter without being overwrought.

It’s an interesting film which doesn’t get much attention or play. It’s one that would be wroth finding and watching if you have an interest in history or are a fan of the always engaging Mr. Rains.