All the Way Home

Like some of the other commentators, I saw this movie when I was young -- perhaps 11 or 12. I was babysitting the boys next door in 1964, and I think it was on the old NBC Saturday Night at the Movies back in the 1960s. A few years later, I read James Agee's "A Death in the Family" and recognized it as the original source. But years, then decades, went by before I saw the film again.

I remember being entranced by the opening scenes, where I see a father taking his young son into a saloon ... doing the Charlie Chaplin dance ... then going home together. Years later (for me) I had buddies who rented rooms on Forest Street in Knoxville while they attended UT. They knew nothing of the book, nor how families there once lay down on cotton comforters on the grasse of the backside lawns to gaze at the stars. Heck, back in the late 1970s, I could even find in Knoxville the railroad yard and roundhouse mentioned in the book. Probably not now.

It's a wistful movie. Some photography and audio was a little too artful ... a departure from the main scenes. But, like everyone else, I cherished the scenes where Rufus spends time with his Aunt -- especially when he dons that outrageous cap.

You can learn things from movies. For me, an enduring lesson was gained when Robert Preston uses his hands to warm the sheets before his wife gets into bed. I did this for years on cold winter nights when I was a married man for 25 years ... and discovered, after divorce, how such a small act is still appreciated by others.

I also feel fortunate to have met Robert Preston in -- of all places -- the Richmond VA airport somewhere around 1980. Not your normal venue. But we were both trapped by planes diverted by a monster storm. We shared several drinks, he told hilarious stories -- but I stopped him (clearly) when I mentioned that All the Way Home was my favorite movie in which he was featured. "What? Not Music Man?" He feigned to be indignant ... but, perhaps because so few people even knew about this movie, or ever mentioned it to him, he realized I was sincere. He spoke of how much he enjoyed the story, made a few untoward comments about the director and Jean Simmons ... but he clearly liked the role he'd played. He was a very warm and charming and gracious man.

All the Way Home is a terrific movie ... so rare these days to see a film focused on family, love, and the ways youngsters see the world.

I caught this movie on TV many years ago and was so touched by it I wish it was available on DVD but sadly it seems to be one of those movies that disappears into the ether. Strangely enough the people who make the decisions as to what to program on broadcast and cable and those who market DVDs etc. are in lockstep with one another, offering the big hits and so called "classics" as well as truckloads of trash from the last quarter century. This film is an adaptation of James Agee's "A Death in the Family" and is beautifully filmed and acted and it's one of those films that seems somehow better on the home screen because of it's intimacy. If you think as highly of Robert Preston as I do you must see his performance in this movie.

Set in the turn of the century, this is a wonderful period piece. Micheal Kearney as Rufus, the couples little boy is sweet and realistic. His father, Jay Follet played by Robert Preston is a top- notch, Oscar caliber performance. His interaction and love for his family is the most realistic that I have ever seen in a movie. Jean Simmons is great, too, her character is heartbreaking and moving. If you get a chance to see this, do it. I don't want to give away the story, but the tragedy she has to deal with will make you think about your loved ones and what it would be like if they were taken away suddenly. A real tear-jerker but a beautiful film.

40 years have gone by since I saw "All The Way Home", the movie. When the World premier debut of this film occurred in Knoxville, TN at the Tennesse Theatre, I was fortunate to be included with my parents to meet Robert Preston at Knoxville's McGee Tyson Airport and travel with him to downtown Knoxville's Tennessee Theatre. Robert Preston played the part of Jay Follet, who in real life was Jim Agee, my father's uncle. I saw the Tad Mosel adaptation of Agee's "A Death in the Family", play "All the WAY Home" at the University of Tennessee' Clarence Brown Theatre last night and that made me long for a chance to see the Robert Preston version again.

I want to thank all those who have added these wonderful comments in the IMDb.

sincerely, john a

A wonderful, poignant story, beautifully acted against an Americana background. Quiet and deep. Sad and inevitable. The story is told, almost exclusively, through the eyes of a young (6-ish) boy, and the little man who played "Google-Eyes" brings a remarkable amount of depth and, could it possibly be insight?, into the character.

As an aside, the book upon which the play and subsequent movie was based, A Death in the Family by James Agee, was a Pulitzer prize winner. The American composer Samuel Barber used Agee's prologue to A Death in the Family for the text of his "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" - a concert piece for soprano and orchestra. Also a beautiful, almost languid experience.

This movie is almost a perfect distillation of the book, or at least, the perfect adaptation. There's a lot left out of the movie, a lot of background and some characters, but the movie still manages to capture the deepness of the story.

Beautiful cinematography, wonderful script, quiet interpretations, and a beautiful score.

I did find it available for purchase, just the movie, no extras, on iTunes. I think it's been edited, though, as I clearly recall seeing scenes on TV that weren't in the picture.

Catch this movie if you possibly can. And yes, bring some tissues.