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Since You Went Away

Play trailer Poster for Since You Went Away 1944 2h 52m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When her husband leaves to fight in World War II, housewife Anne Hilton (Claudette Colbert) must struggle on alone to raise their two daughters, Jane (Jennifer Jones) and Bridget (Shirley Temple). With a tight budget, Anne is forced to take in two lodgers, elderly ex-soldier Col. William G. Smollett (Monty Woolley) and handsome Lt. Tony Willet (Joseph Cotten). However, loyal maid Fidelia (Hattie McDaniel) stays on unpaid and the makeshift household pulls together through home front hardships.

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Since You Went Away

Critics Reviews

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James Agee TIME Magazine Feb 27, 2018
Selznick placed a big bet on Shirley Temple's comeback and she pays off enchantingly as a dogged, sensitive, practical little girl with a talent for bargaining. Go to Full Review Fannie Hurst Modern Screen Jun 15, 2023
Down with over-long, over-stuffed motion pictures! Go to Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial Sep 18, 2019
This is a great movie... It also serves to introduce Shirley Temple as a teenager; and she who was the public's girl for years, is now a pleasant promise for the future. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Austin Trunick Under the Radar Dec 13, 2017
Some could potentially find it too sentimental, but the tone is comparable to what you'd find in one of Frank Capra's movie of the era ... Since You Went Away is a sweet film, and it's a true surprise that it's not better-remembered today. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Jun 17, 2014
5/10
Colbert is too good, and the script (though bloated) too full of lovely details about small town American life in the '40s to reject it outright. Go to Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight Dec 15, 2013
4/4
In a vital period of film history, war films ran the gamut of topics, none more fascinating or heart-wrenching as those of the lives of the people left behind at home. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O @RT35452347 Aug 23, 2026 A very long wartime melodrama about a Brady bunch type family and how they awaited their men at war. Propaganda piece really and it doesn’t really hit the spot despite the schmaltz. Watched on DVD. See more Mark B @SRT102 May 19, 2026 Even with all the cornball and schmalz, this could have been a decent 90-minute film. At almost 180 minutes, it's simply awful. (#529 in my "watch every BP nominated film" bucket list) See more Andy S @RT07171705 Sep 4, 2023 This is very good movie, well acted with Jennifer Jones as the star, out-acting Shirley Temple and Claudette Colbert. It's not their fault. That's the script. A very syrupy and sentimental film, but that reflects the times during the war. Kind of a time capsule of middle class American life of the time and films of the time. See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 22, 2020 The strong performances make it well worth the watch. See more Jessica C @RT35720282 Jan 7, 2020 The movie has a brilliant cast which is definitely a plus. I'll be honest, I had a hard time sitting through an hour long movie, one that was boring at times nonetheless. But still, it's very well made, shows how tough war is on everyone and how much it takes to not lose your mind. See more Nov 23, 2019 Wonderful movie - perfect for Christmas season. See more Read all reviews
Since You Went Away

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Cast & Crew

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John Cromwell

Director

Claudette Colbert

Mrs. Anne Hilton

Jennifer Jones

Jane Deborah Hilton

Joseph Cotten

JLt. Tony Willett

Monty Woolley

Col. William G. Smollett

Shirley Temple

Bridget"'Brig" Hilton

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Since You Went Away

Since You Went Away (1944) Since You Went Away (1944) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When her husband leaves to fight in World War II, housewife Anne Hilton (Claudette Colbert) must struggle on alone to raise their two daughters, Jane (Jennifer Jones) and Bridget (Shirley Temple). With a tight budget, Anne is forced to take in two lodgers, elderly ex-soldier Col. William G. Smollett (Monty Woolley) and handsome Lt. Tony Willet (Joseph Cotten). However, loyal maid Fidelia (Hattie McDaniel) stays on unpaid and the makeshift household pulls together through home front hardships.
Director
John Cromwell
Producer
David O. Selznick
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Selznick International Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 20, 1944, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Oct 19, 2004
Runtime
2h 52m
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