My Son John

  • 122'
  • USA
  • 1952

An anti-Communist drama starring Robert Walker, My Son John was produced during the height of McCarthyism. The Jeffersons, a picture-perfect, small town, all-American family see their eldest son John return home after a long absence spouting views that cause them to worry he may be a Communist spy. After a visit from the FBI, John assures his mother (Helen Hayes) of his loyalty by swearing on her Bible. She begs him to confess and declares that he deserves to be punished.

Despite its questionable message (to say the least), this is a sublime and important American tragedy, as well as the last Robert Walker role (he died before shooting was completed). McCarey had to alter the film's ending because of Walker's unfilmed sequences and inserted a shot of Walker from Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train.

Director
Leo McCarey
Country of production
USA
Year
1952
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
122'
Medium
File
Language
English
Producer
Leo McCarey
Production Company
Rainbow Productions
Sales
Park Circus Limited
Screenplay
Myles Connolly, John Lee Mahin, Leo McCarey
Cinematography
Harry Stradling
Editor
Marvin Coil
Music
Robert Emmett Dolan
Cast
Helen Hayes, Van Heflin, Dean Jagger, Robert Walker, Minor Watson, Frank McHugh, Richard Jaeckel
Director
Leo McCarey
Country of production
USA
Year
1952
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
122'
Medium
File
Language
English
Producer
Leo McCarey
Production Company
Rainbow Productions
Sales
Park Circus Limited
Screenplay
Myles Connolly, John Lee Mahin, Leo McCarey
Cinematography
Harry Stradling
Editor
Marvin Coil
Music
Robert Emmett Dolan
Cast
Helen Hayes, Van Heflin, Dean Jagger, Robert Walker, Minor Watson, Frank McHugh, Richard Jaeckel