Happy Land

This is a beautiful American morale builder from 1943. This was filmed largely in my hometown of Santa Rosa, California. The cast, headed by the under appreciated Don Ameche, was fine. I was especially touched by the early performance of a young Harry Morgan (who, incidentally, later became a resident of Santa Rosa).

I bought this because it was filmed in my home town of Santa Rosa, CA as were many other movies. I was also interested in seeing Natalie Wood in her first role (uncredited).

I went into this film with a little trepidation. I was born in the Sixties and I've never known war or the kind of war my parents' generation knew. A lot of these films designed to firm the resolve of the home front were good pieces for their time but would seem dated or clichéd today. "Happy Land" quelled my reservations. It begins with a father(Don Ameche) mourning the loss of his son in combat. Through the course of the film the father goes through the various stages of the grieving. He doesn't get over the loss but begins accepting the reality and goes forth knowing that his son didn't die in vain. The film earns its tears honestly. The sentiments and the emotions portrayed are real. There has never been a more just conflict like the Second World War but the message of "Happy Land" can be applied to present or future engagements.

THIS is what I call a "blended" film . Mainly drama blended with fantasy. Very fine film

Perfect item came as promised

why you send movies from another regions to europe? it's stupid, i couldn't even watch it

I was a young teen during WWII. I bought this for nostalgic reasons . Don Ameche, Frances Dee and Ann Rutherford were favorites of mine. Although the denouement was predictable, the movie was pleasant.

Seventy years ago America was a different place. Even though this film might appear to be dated or sentimental to some, it does portray the values of a time that is no more. What a powerful impact this must have made in 1943 when families were losing their sons all over America. Don Ameche and Frances Dee give moving performances and the story moves along at a very natural pace. If you want to see what small towns were like and what was important to us in the early 1940s, pay close attention to this film, and be prepared to shed a few tears.