White Cliffs of Dover, The
Warner Bros. (1944)
Drama, Romance, War
In Collection
#14003
0*
Seen ItYes
IMDB   7.1
2 hr 6 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Irene Dunne Susan Dunn Ashwood
Alan Marshal Sir John Ashwood
Roddy McDowall John Ashwood II as a Boy
Frank Morgan Hiram Porter Dunn
Van Johnson Sam Bennett
C. Aubrey Smith Colonel Walter Forsythe
Dame May Whitty Nanny
Gladys Cooper Lady Jean Ashwood
Peter Lawford John Ashwood II as a Young Man
John Warburton Reggie Ashwood
Ralph Morgan John Ashwood II
Elizabeth Taylor Betsy
Jill Esmond Rosamund - Reggie's Wife
Brenda Forbes Gwennie - Boardinghouse Maid
Norma Varden Mrs. Bland - Boardinghouse Proprietess
Director
Clarence Brown
Producer Clarence Brown
Sidney Franklin
Writer Claudine West
Jan Lustig
George Froeschel

It is almost Christmas 2002, a difficult year for Americans and a perfect time for World War II nostalgia. I was 16 years old when this moviecame out, I am 76 now and "Cliffs" is as fresh today as it was then. The songs, English and American are marvelous, and Irene Dunne shines. Supporting cast is typical of the wonderful character actors of the time plus Elizabeth Taylor. We are moved by an American woman (Dunne) who loses a husband in World War I and a son in World War II. Frank Morgan, who is always Frank Morgan even in the "Wizard of Oz" is marvelous as Dunne's Father. Dame Mae Whittey, Gladys Cooper, Allain Marshall, C. Aubrey Smith as the very British Colonel -- everyone adds to the beauty of this movie, and we must not forget that Irene Dunne is the narrator of the famous poem of World War II, "The White Cliffs of Dover" which is still available in bookstores. I would put this movie in well-done Black and White, right up there with "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" (Van Johnson has a bit part in "Cliffs"), "Mrs. Miniver" with Greer Garson, and the magnificent World War 2 Series, "War and Remembrance" and "Winds of War". I am amazed that "black and white" is still effective. I hope this movie is presented as often as "It's a Wonderful Life" every year in the future.
Edition Details
No. of Disks/Tapes 1