Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Smilin’ Through is probably the most beautiful, powerful, and poetic romantic drama that Hollywood has ever produced. It has so many great elements that combine to make a deep and mysterious story: true love, lost love, murder, old dark houses, thunderstorms, the First World War, flashbacks, and gothic graveyards. To top everything off, it features bravura performances from the three leads, Leslie Howard (as a bitter husband-to-be of a murdered bride), Fredric March (in a dual role as the murderer and his charming son), and, most of all, Norma Shearer (as the bride and her niece who falls in love with the son of her murderer).

It opens in a graveyard, with John (Leslie Howard) praying over the tomb of his true love Moonyeen. As he prays, the ghostly soul of Moonyeen (Norma Shearer), cloaked in a wedding gown, comes into frame. She tries to communicate with John, but is unable to get through to him. When he gets back home, unforeseen circumstances lead him into adopting Moonyeen’s niece, whose parents have both been tragically killed. To his surprise, the child grows up to be the spitting image of his lost bride. Kathleen (Shearer again!) is now reaching womanhood, and one night, seeking shelter from a storm, she stumbles into an old, dark mansion. There, she meets a charming, attractive American named Jeremy Wayne, who looks exactly like the portrait of his father hanging above the fireplace. The two get to seeing more and more of each other, and eventually fall in love. When Kathleen tells the good news to her uncle, he gets upset and is forced to explain the tragedy that prevented his marriage to Moonyeen. In a massive flashback sequence (the centerpiece of this haunting film), we learn that Moonyeen was murdered by a jilted suitor, Kenneth Wayne (March again!), during the marriage ceremony. Jeremy is John’s son, and John’s bitterness still fogs his mind. He refuses to even see the son of his beloved’s murderer, and won’t support the marriage. Furthermore, he refuses to even speak to Kathleen if she goes on seeing the man. Concerned for Kathleen’s happiness, Jeremy decides to enlist in WWI. He comes back wounded, but tries to hide the fact from Kathleen, instead saying he no longer loves her. Moonyeen’s soul, however, has finally gotten through to John, and he allows his feelings to fade, consents to the marriage, and melodramatically dies. Moonyeen and he go walking together, and finally get into their wedding carriage, as they ride off into eternal life together and Jeremy and Kathleen begin their earthly journey with one another.

Directed by Sidney Franklin, this is by far his most artistic production, showcasing his directorial skills to the utmost degree.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older