The Late George Apley (1947) starring Ronald Coleman

Thing thing to know before seeing this film is that it's a comedy of manners, satirizing the aristocracy of 1900 Boston in particular. It is based on a Pulizer Prize winning novel from 1938, and a stage play from 1944. Not having read the book or seen the play, I unfortunately can't comment on what was lost in translation.

Ronald Coleman plays a snob, and I found it difficult to like his character as well as the film. The story revolves mainly around Apley's ultra conservative ways, primarily his disapproval of his son and daughter who are both in love with non-Bostonians, which seems utterly absurd. Perhaps that's what's supposed to be funny about it.  One character says to him, "Stop apologizing for sex, George Apley...you didn't invent it! 

After a long talk with his more sensible brother-in-law Roger (Percy Warram) - the most memorable scene in my opinion - Apley eventually comes to accept his children's decisions and dreams  Before Apley's conversion, however, there is much drama between the father, son and daughter that seems to drag.

If the story is mainly about dealing with the changing times, I don't see why this film couldn't have been brought up to date with a modern twist.   There are some really impressive period sets and costumes, but the visuals are not ultimately what you'd want to takeaway from the film. It wasn't nominated for any Oscars, and I'm not surprised. Coleman did win for Best Actor that year, but for another film - A Double Life.

Not a bad film, just average. With Peggy Cummings, Mildred Natwick.

For another blogger's perspective about the film, check out the review here from Bobby Rivers' blog. I'd say he enjoyed the film more than I did!

97 min • 20th Century-Fox

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz • 1947