A Voz que Vão Ouvir

When I turned the channel to this movie on TCM, I had no idea what to expect but as so often happens with this station, I was not disappointed with this captivating period movie from 1950 (directed by Robert Wellman) that seemed to be the cinematic equivalent of a Norman Rockwell illustration. The plot was unusual by today's standards but in 1950, we can imagine this movie would have had great appeal to a mass audience, who took religion more seriously than they do today. The acting was excellent and the on location background locales were evocative of the time -- the golf green lawns of the suburbs, the husband and father cranking up the engine of the family car before going off to his factory job, the couple and school age child eating their roast beef dinner. This family is what we used to call salt of the earth people who work hard, enjoy their home life and have time to joke and laugh. Of course this ideal image doesn't change even as the circumstances evolve. It is such a family that the voice of God coming over the radio would have had great appeal in 1950 as they look for inspiration to deal with the problems of work, a pregnancy,raising their child or just the daily frustrations of life. I was very impressed with James Whitmore as the father and the delightful young actor who played the son. Nancy Davis as the pregnant wife and mother played a patient and good humoured anchor for the family. I would really look forward to viewing this movie again.

God's voice is "The Next Voice You Hear," in a 1950 film starring James Whitmore, Nancy Davis, Gary Gray, and Tom D'Andrea. I saw this movie many, many years ago, and have read of it in recent years due in large part to the presence of our future First Lady. Nancy Davis was an attractive woman and a good actress - I'm certain she could be quite pretty and glamorous as in real life, but the film world cast her differently. Here she's very plain looking, with a pretty smile, and is supposed to have a baby due any second. In true Hollywood form, she looks like she's maybe three months along.

The story concerns that typical '50s family we saw on TV and read about though probably didn't live in - mom, dad, and a cute kid - who have different reactions when God starts speaking on the radio at 8:30 every evening. The Whitmore character seems to embrace its true spirit - let go and live - while his aunt's belief is fear-based, and his wife and child become frightened.

This is a lovely, simple story that some people will find very comforting and others will think is an annoying, preachy bore. I thought the acting somewhat lifted it. James Whitmore was the new Spencer Tracy but never rose above character roles; instead, even now, he enjoys a wonderful stage career. Here he's a man who gets hot and bothered over life's annoyances, hates his boss, but gradually learns a lesson about God's true message. The other performances are good, and the little boy is too cute for words. Always nice to see "Gillis" from "The Life of Riley," Tom D'Andrea, in a role.

This movie isn't for everyone, but if you have a spiritual leaning, you'll like it.

Next Voice You Hear..., The (1950)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Interesting film about people across the world and how their lives change after they hear the voice of God on the radio. The film takes a look at the Joe Smith family with James Whitmore, Nancy Davis and Gary Gray. This is a rather offbeat film for director Wellman but he pulls it off pretty well and makes this a rather memorable religious film, although the screenplay isn't juicy enough to pull it off as a masterpiece. The performances are all very good with Whitmore stealing the film as the hard working dad who begins to rethink things after hearing the voice. I think one of the problems with the screenplay is that it centers on this one family a tad bit too much. There are scenes where large groups of people are debating about the voice and these moments are the best of the film and I wish there had been more. The film plays a lot like what we'd eventually see in a 'Twilight Zone' episode because the voice, a mysterious one, never comes out and says it's God but that's up to the viewer to debate just like the people in the film. I called the film a religious one but thankfully it never goes over the top with propaganda or tries to beat the viewer over the head with a message.

The Next Voice You Hear is about Almighty God interrupting all the radio broadcasts on all frequencies on planet Earth at exactly 8:30 pm Pacific Standard Time. He does this for one week.

The film shows the affect hearing from the Almighty on one American family, the Smith family of Los Angeles. The Smiths are played by James Whitmore, Nancy Davis, and Gary Gray. Whitmore is an aircraft worker and Davis is quite pregnant with their second child.

Of course the film is made through an American Christian filter so to speak, that was the targeted audience back in the day. Yet it avoids any direct reference to Christianity or any other faith for that matter. It even says God is speaking to the ears listening behind the Iron Curtain, to places where His existence isn't acknowledged.

James Whitmore was supposed to be another Spencer Tracy for MGM and while his career never quite got that far it certainly has been lengthy and honorable. Nancy Davis of course opted for another career along with her husband. Both play well the parts of Mr.&Mrs. Average American, you'd never know there was a future First Lady in the cast.

The reactions to hearing from the Almighty himself run the gamut, in fact it does take a week to convince most it isn't some kind of gigantic hoax. Significant in 1950 that God uses the radio as His media outlet. Most families still did not have televisions. Good thing to because then the film would have had one huge casting problem.

Of course we never actually hear the Voice. When the first broadcast comes Davis and Gray are in the kitchen and Whitmore hears it in the living room. He comes back reporting on the strange thing that just happened and Davis remarks did it sound like Lionel Barrymore. I remember on All in the Family Archie Bunker once remarking God would sound like Bing Crosby. I suppose there are an infinite number of schools of thought there. We always get a report second hand on what the Voice has said.

The final message is I guess what encapsulates the interfaith message of the film is about. What this old world needs in equal measure is love, freedom, peace, and faith. Equal measure is important because a lack of any one of these causes problems. And it's not up to just nations to practice this, but more so for individuals.

This is a really odd little film starring some of MGM's secondary players, including James Whitmore and Nancy Davis in the leads. I really can't compare it to any other film because it's THAT unusual. After a suitable buildup, God contacts Earth to tell us he'll be making an announcement and we should stand by. Most of the film takes place at this time and it centers on everyone's reactions to the knowledge that something HUGE must be coming. Is it apocalyptic or what--no one knows and so people start to get very nervous. All this stuff is actually the best part of the movie. The problem, though, is that with this buildup, NOTHING can provide a fitting conclusion to make the film all fit together. In other words, the audience's expectations are probably too high, as no matter WHAT MGM did at the end, it would seem a let-down.

All-in-all, a fascinating and unusual film that dares to be different.