Conflicto sentimental

Wonderful film with John Payne and Maureen O'Hara, one year before they made the successful "Miracle on 34th Street." Amazing that Connie Marshall, who played the part of their adopted daughter in "Journey" didn't get the Natalie Wood part in "Miracle."

This film is literally a 4 star tear jerker where an ailing Broadway actress and her director husband adopt a child only to see the mother die shortly afterwards. Both the father and daughter are devastated but use the memory of his wife and mother as a link to be drawn together.

Payne has never been better as the embittered husband who lost his wife so unexpectedly. Maureen O'Hara, with that Irish brogue, conveys the part of the doomed mother and wife so beautifully that tears shall come to your eyes.

In a complete departure from his usual roles, William Bendix is just marvelous in a supporting role as the couple's friend who attempts to bring comic relief to the film. Some memorable scenes show him trying to buy toys for the child, as well as discussing child psychology with Payne.

Nevertheless, the film belongs to the touching performance of child actress Connie Marshall. Coming into a home as an adopted young child only to lose a mother so fast afterwards is preciously captured by Marshall's performance.

There are definitely sentiment in tears but the film is engrossing and well worth the effort in watching. Sadness is so beautifully depicted here.

Well written, directed older movie. John Payne (1), Maureen O'Hara, William Bendix, Connie Marshall did a fine performance. Saw this movie when I was a child. Have waited awhile for it to appear on pay TV. Definite tear jerker. Generally a womens movie.

William and Julie Weatherly (John Payne and Maureen O'Hara) are people of the theater. He is a director and she is an actress. They have been married for quite some time, but their love for each other is stronger than ever. Unfortunately, Julie discovers that her health cannot handle the stress of her life. She takes a break from the theater and stumbles upon an orphan girl named Hitty (Connie Marshall). Hitty is imaginative and lonely, just as Julie was as a young girl. Julie is convinced that she would make a great mother for this little lost girl, so she convinces Bill to adopt her. From here, they form a family, though Bill is a bit jealous of the attention that Hitty receives.

Soon, Julie's health gets the better of her, but Hitty knows what to do. She pampers Bill just the way Julie did, hoping to bring the family back together again.

This movie has all the potential to be wonderful, but it walks a fine line that easily takes into kitsch. Sometimes, it is emotional and sweet, but the occasional lapse into over-sentimentality makes it a less than perfect film. Each actor tries hard though, which makes the characters interesting and enjoyable to watch.

I love this movie. I saw if first during the 60's when I was a child and I always remembered the little girls name which was very strange more then anything else. Then I saw it later on and it was heartbreaking. I always cringed when I saw the way Bill treated Hittie after his wife died. She tried her best but he always seemed to blame her for the wife death. William Bendix is very engaging as the friend/uncle who sees that Hittie needs some fun her life and tries his best to help her. He even gets a book about the psychology of children. He has a very funny scene with the maid about him looking in all the pet stores for a unicorn to no avail. So he gets the book so he can find out how to tell Hittie he can't find one. A very nice sweet scene. The maid is also very helpful.

John Payne who plays the father is very good, but I wanted to tell him to snap out of it. Yes he was in mourning but he acted ridiculous treating his little girl like that and everyone else. If any character was in need of medication or therapy in a movie his character is it. But this movie was made in the 40's long before any thought of treatment for depression was used. Only when he thinks something bad happened to the little girl does he snap out of it. A very simplistic but sweet ending. Maureen O'Hara one of my favorite actors is also very good. But mostly she plays a ghost.

This was my first "grown-up" movie - my mom let stay up late to watch it with her. We just cried & cried & cried. I didn't know a movie could do that to me-much less my mother. It has such great memories for me and is such a classic love story. No sex, no violence, just emotions and attitude and fun writing and great acting. I wonder if the movie has been preserved anywhere. I haven't seen it on TV in decades.