Adapted from the play by Dorothy Bennett and Irving White, the melodrama with music Always in My Heart stars Walter Huston (father of director and actor John Huston) as MacKenzie Scott, a talented musician wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to prison.
While in jail, Scott’s long-suffering wife Marjorie (Kay Francis) raises their two children alone. Still in love with him, Marjorie never tells the kids the truth, instead lying that Scott has died.
Things change, when Philip Ames (Sidney Blackmer), falls in love with Marjorie and spoils ther the children with gifts and attention.
As expected, Scott is proven innocent and pardoned. On his journey home, he visits his daughter Victoria (Gloria Warren), who’s now a singer. Though hesitant to reveal his identity, Scott finally opens up under pressure from Marjorie, who has not given up hope that her family will be reunited.
The heavy duty melodrama is full of intrigues and scandals, but, fortunetly, some comic relief is offered by Borrah Minevitch and his Harmonica Rascals.
Made on a modest budget, the movie was profitable at the box-office.
Oscar Nominations: 1
Song: “Always in My Heart” (“Siempre en Mi Corazon”) music and Spamish lyrics by Ernesto Lecuona, English lyrics by Kim Gannon
Oscar Awards: None
Oscar Context:
The winner was Irving Berlin’s melodic tune, “White Christmas,” from the movie “Holiday Inn.”
Cast
Kay Francis as Marjorie Scott
Walter Huston as MacKenzie Scott
Gloria Warren as Victoria Scott
Frankie Thomas as Martin Scott
Una O’Connor as Angie
Sidney Blackmer as Philip Ames
Credits:
Directed by Jo Graham
Produced by William Jacobs, Walter MacEwen
Written by Adele Comandini, based on Fly Away Home (1935 play) by Dorothy Bennett and Irving White
Music by Heinz Roemheld
Cinematography: Sidney Hickox
Edited by Thomas Pratt
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date: March 14, 1942
Running time: 92 minutes
