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Mrs. Parkington [VHS]

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"MRS. PARKINGTON," the MGM film adaptation of the 1943 Louis Bromfeld novel of the same name is one of Greer Garson's better films. The story unfolds, in flashback, as the elderly Mrs. Parkington reminisces on Christmas Eve, about her life, love, family, and future. It's amazing how MGM could edit a multi-generational epic into 2 hours without diminishing the plot to a synopsis. Imagine squeezing the entire 14 seasons of the TV series "DALLAS" into a 2-hour film, as recalled by Miss Ellie on a Christmas Eve, and you pretty much have MGM's "Mrs. Parkington." Of course, with Greer Garson being the biggest box office draw of the 1940's, and Louis B. Mayer's prize star, you can expect the grand MGM treatment (exquisite black and white cinematography, period costume design, exterior and interior set design, makeup, crystal chandeliers, statuary, antiques, French-stripe wallpaper, "the whole nine yards," as it were...). But the plot, starting in 19th-century Nevada, ending in 20th-century Manhattan, is the core of the film. The storyline runs the epic trail of hardship, pain, struggle, success, reflection, dilemma, and ultimate grand choice which will determine the future. It's all there. It's just more fun to watch when glossed over in the signature MGM manner. Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon once again make for one of the better leading screen "couples" of film's "golden era," right up there with couples like "Crawford and Gable," or "Tracy and Hepburn." In the end, Mrs. Parkington proves to be the "iron fist in the velvet glove." Watching her life will show the audience how life experience evolved her to such inner strength and wisdom, as it does with (hopefully) most people. Due to the story, "MRS. PARKINGTON" is a great film for Christmas Eve....or any eve, for that matter....

"Mrs. Parkington" was MGM's most expensive film produced in 1944 and indeed at this time Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon warranted the lavish expenditure as they were the most popular couple in films after their smashing sucesses in "Blossoms In The Dust", "Madame Curie", and of course the unforgettable "Mrs Miniver". Here we see Greer Garson playing another "Mrs" however Susie Parkington is very different to the stoic Mrs Miniver of the 1942 film.

Greer Garson was at first very reluctant to take on such an ambitious period piece again so soon after her involvement in the above mentioned films. She was desperate to try a comic role where she could show off her comedy timing learnt in her years of theatre work in London. Louis B. Mayer however saw her as the refined ladylike character of period dramas or sentimental contemporary pieces like "Mrs. Miniver". Indeed his judgement was spot on here as these roles suited Greer Garson to a tee despite her relutance to play them. "Mrs. Parkington" adapted from the novel by Louis Bromfeld of the previous year, contains a sprawling story set over a long period of time and sees Garson age from a young girl who helps her mother run a boarding house in a mining town to being a Grand Dowager of over eighty presiding over the financial and moral decay of her sprawling offspring. The story begins on Christmas Eve where the eighty seven year old widowed Susie Parkington is confronted by a family crisis when her grandson Amory Stilham (Edward Arnold) is in danger of being convicted for using funds illegally and is threatened with a jail sentence. During this evening Susie reflects on her whole life and we are taken back to the time when she first met her husband Maj. Gus Parkington and how her life took its upwardly mobile direction to the heights of New York wealth and success. Along the way we are treated to another beautiful acting experience courtesy of Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. The screen chemistry here is wonderful to behold but the characters they are playing here are very different to their work as the Minivers. Walter Pidgeon's character in particular is out of a much harder mould than his normally reserved Gentlemenly persona. Not the devoted husband here he is a bit of a scoundrel with a roving eye and a temper. The scene where the Parkington's invite all of New York society to a lavish dinner party and no one turns up is quite disturbing with Maj. Parkington getting all of the staff to join in on the feast in his fury. Greer Garson had never had to age so much in any of her previous films and while the makeup is commendable she really is more convincing as the younger Susie who is in awe of Gus's lifestyle and sophisticated friends. Nevertheless in the scenes of the present on Christmas Eve she lends a commanding presence in the family scenes.

"Mrs. Parkington" supplies a wonderful supporting cast, first and foremost the gifted Agnes Moorehead plays Susie's best friend and support Baroness Aspasia Conti who also happens to be an old beau of Gus. Moorehead is superb as the world weary but kind hearted support for Susie and she received an Academy Award nomination for his role. Edward Arnold shines in the role of the good for nothing Amory and Gladys Cooper and Frances Rafferty round out the family cast as the vicious and selfishly decadent members of Susie's clan. Veteran character actor Cecil Kellaway has a small but memorable role as the Prince of Wales who Susie meets but fails to recognise in a very comic scene at a country hunt when she has come to England to "reclaim" her straying husband.

Being MGM's biggest production that year inevitably the film boasts superb production values. Cedric Gibbons excels yet again in his interior design with the Parkington mansion being like something out of this world. The film displays beautiful black and white photography, costumes that are lavish but also historically accurate and an overall polish to be expected from MGM in its prime. Considering the wartime restrictions during this it is amazing how lavish this film was however costs were cut in nonobvious ways one instance being at the famous dinner party where all the displayed food on the tables was in actual fact cardboard cutouts!!

"Mrs Parkington" is yet another in the long line of Garson/Pidgeon accomplishments that never fail to entertain audiences. Like the Powell/Loy, Gable/Crawford teamings there is a special magic between them that made their work together in whatever roles so special. Here is no exception and for a story dealing with family turmoil, greed and regret it cannot be bettered. Highly recommended viewing.

From a mining town of Nevada, a poor girl makes her dreams come true when a multi millionaire wed her. The process of rise of his fortune will suffer along the road of certain infidelities here and there and also certain financial tricks.

She will work out as the opposite side of the balance and will lead him to secure port. But his sudden death will become of her one of the richest widows and she will have to face the inheritors whose main features are signed by the stinginess, selfishness, cowardice, with visible lack of grandness vision and undertaking spirit.

In this sense the final decision will have to do with her ancestral codes, and start all over again, if it' s necessary.

The script is admirable, the cast is superb and the handle work is glorious, watch the framing process in interiors. Greer Carson has been always one of my three favorite eternal beloved actresses ever - being until this date - the only one who has been nominated five consecutive times - from 1941 to 1945 - (Elizabeth Taylor got it four consecutive times and Meryl Streep, three times), a record hard to beat and obviously equal. Maybe this one and The postman always rings twice be the supreme works of Ty Garret.

Admirable ending sequence

In the early forties, while all of the men were off at war, cinema was geared towards the female audience. Thus, the "Woman's Picture" was born. Greer Garson was certainly a genre favorite, and she delivers in this epic melodrama.

Susie (Garson) is running a boardinghouse with her mother when she meets her wealthy husband Major Parkington. Walter Pidgeon plays the rugged Major who is divided between his love for Susie and his sometimes warped since of masculine duty. It is a marriage of many ups and downs, but Susie always manages to have the upper hand.

Featuring Academy Award nominated performances by Garson and Agnes Moorehead, this film is certainly entertaining. Although it pales in comparison to other "woman's pictures" such as "Now Voyager" or "Mildred Pierce," this film has its moments and is a treat to watch.

The DVD itself is not magical, but I'm just grateful that it's finally out on DVD. There are no subtitles, nor any special features except for the original trailer. However, the film itself seems to be in great shape. The picture is clear and all sound is audible.

This lengthy and not overlong? You'll find this epic entertaining throughout. My favorite moment is when Walter Pidgen shows Garson that fabulous mansion telling her it belongs to a friend of his, when in reality It was a gift for her! In my opinion, the best "married" couple in the movies. Don't miss this.

After Kate Hepburn, Greer Garson is my favorite actress. After Mrs. Miniver, this is my favorite GG performance. (An my fourth favorite most watchable film)

Mrs. Parkington is a memory play. Greer is Susie Parkington, the matriarch of the Parkington family. And Pidgeon plays Major Agustus Parkington. He got his rank by shooting a Confederate Major.

It is Christmastime at the Parkington household. Susie's children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren gather for the festivities. Her favorite great granddaughter comes to her to tell that she is eloping. Susie tells her that she must meet this man before they elope. As Jane leaves, Susie remembers how she and the Major met.

Augustus Parkington is visiting his silver mine in Leaping Rock, Colorado. Susie's mother owns the town's only boarding house. Susie has an immediate attraction to the Major.

When Susie's mother is killed in a mine crash, the Major marries her (it is a little more complicated than that.) He takes her back to New York. The Major realizes that he really loves her and does not want to hurt her. So he runs to get advice from the one person that he feels he can trust, Baroness Aspasia Conti (Agnes Moorehead).

Aspaia begins to remold Susie to be the wife of "a force" in the business world.

Three years have passed and the Major has become one of the richest men in NY and Susie has become the perfect wife. For their 3rd anniversary he builds her a mansion, the problem is that the Major has Aspasia decorate the mansion. Susie has her own surprise, she announces that she is having his child.

The Major decides to throw a ball to introduce Susie into society but no one shows up after the Major accidently insults the head of society, the Commodore. As an indirect result of this Susie looses the baby. This sets in motion a revenge plot by the Major to destroy all those who snubbed them.

Time passes and their children grow up but their son Herbert is killed riding a horse. Susie goes into a year long morning and the Major runs off to England. It's upto Aspasia to get Susie back on her feet and to England to get back her man. (Cecil Kellaway makes a cameo as the Prince of Wales and almost steals the show!)

The Major dies in a racing car accident and the Susie is left with the family. Many years pass and it has not been kind to the Parkinton clan. Susie's great grandson-in-law has embezzeled from his company and the family must decide whether to spend their inheritence to bail him out. It's Gus' words that Susie remembers that makes the final decision.

This is a beautifully made made about a real relationship. Like every realationship, this one has its up and downs, its misunderstandings and in the end its a deep seeded love that rules the day.

Garson's performance perfectly matches her performance in Mrs. Miniver. As Mrs. Miniver was pure class and subtlty, Susie Parkington is all spunk. Add to this Agnes Moorehead's performance. Agnes is one of the greatest character actresses in any medium and this was her best (yes better than Endora). Both Garson and Moorehead were nominated for Oscars and Moorehead won the Golden Globe (she should have had an Oscar to match!)

While I have never considered myself a huge Greer Garson fan, this is likely because I have not seen most of her movies. There are a few of her films that I have seen, though, that I would contend are real gems. Of course, Mrs. Miniver is one, and I have always enjoyed Madame Curie. I saw Mrs. Parkington today on TCM and I must say that I found it touching and endearing. I am sure that the morals of the day would not have been as forgiving of husband Pidgeon's philandering as Greer was, and it surprised me that the censors allowed such frank protrayals of adultery. One of the best aspects of this movie was the supporting cast, with Agnes Moorehead and Cecil Kellaway both having strong roles, and upon whom the picture pivots at certain points. Dan Duryea is his usual despicable lout in a small but tangy role as a spoiled rich boy. I think it is great that this film is available through the Warner Archives, but I would urge interested parties to check out the TCM website for a better price. When these films are first made available through the archives, the price is a little high, but after a few weeks it drops down on that site. But, if you are living the good life and are unaffected by the current economic woes, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed if you one-click it right now! This is a very entertaining and solid film with a great cast, and thought-provoking as well.

This was one of the great movies of the 1940's, and very good movie, with a host of actors of the early years of movies.

Many People don't no about this great film from 1944, which again teamed Greer Garson and Walter Pigeon, However, Many people are very familiar with the film they made in 1942 "Mrs. Miniver". Garson and Pidgeon made 9 films together, and everyone is flawless. I particularly love "Mrs. Parkington", even more so than any others they made together for the simple reason that Greer Garson's performance was AMAZING she aged from a young girl into an 84 year old family matriarch. If you have not seen this film which also highlights other very talented actors and actresses such as, Agnes Moorehead, Edward Arnold, Peter Lawford, Cecil Kellaway, and the great Gladys Cooper, Then I would suggest you buy this magnificent VHS and Pray that soon it will get a DVD release. Also, after seeing this movie I bought the book by Louis Bromfield "Mrs. Parkington", and after reading it I realized that the film had left nearly nothing out, everything is in the film. (If you would like to see this film released on DVD got to this link below, it is a link to TCM.

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/processors/voteForm.jsp?title=Mrs.%20Parkington&stid=3156

I was so disappointed.I tried it on 3 different dvd players and on each one it kept stopping and starting.On the third try,it made it through half way then stopped completely.So,sadly,I had to toss it out.