Let him go, let him tarry - Jean Simmons

Jean Simmons in one of her first film parts in The Way to the Stars also informally known as Britain's last war and first peace movie of WW2.

[@marietta1335]

In about 10-11 years later, she'd be singing with Marlon Brando in "Guys and Dolls," where she won the Golden Globe Best Actress award for 1956. RIP Jean Simmons, thank you for making us and future generations happy with your films.

[@6lr6ak6]

Jean was born 36 yrs before l was, l always thought she was just so beautiful. The most gorgeous little pretty face ever. RIP Jean.

[@johntheaker2562]

Brilliant Song, Brilliant Film, Briiliant Lass!!

[@Tignarius]

Will always be a favourite of mine even though I was not born for another eight years. She was utterly gorgeous.

[@poppyharris7052]

I can remember years ago, when my dad brought this classic movie home for research. That was the day I fell in love with it!

[@maxwellfan55]

Young Jean Simmonds in Way to Stars and Great Expectations steals both shows.

[@foxyshabazz]

My favourite war picture. Full of the quiet courage of men and women knuckling down and getting on with it in the most terrible of times. Not like the overblown, bombastic, jingoistic and militaristic nonsense we are fed these days. Heartwarming, funny, and heartbreakingly sad by turns. And Compo from "Last of the Summer Wine" is in it, too! :)

[@cruachen]

I remember this song being sung by Suzette Tarri, a singer/comedienne, when I was a youngster. Whis is a long time ago, as she died in 1955.

[@TheSAMANTHALAURA1]

a beautiful performance, graceful

[@britischenadligen3760]

I'd totally wear her outfit today! Love the blouse and the neckcloth, except maybe for the apron, ha ha. She's adorable and must've been only around 15-16. I remember discovering this movie when I was around her age and thinking how cute she was!

[@raggyrat6]

my mother used to sing this and make me cry !

[@ampersandtay]

I saw the film when it first came out. I was much younger than her but I do believe that was the first time I fell in love.

[@167curly]

When I was a little tyke in the mid 1940s, I knew that song from the radio which was so catchy. Jean Simmons certainly was a very pretty girl, and a lovely older woman later in life.

[@astralagosto]

Jean....................you were so beautiful. You knew how to sing. I wish you had NOT been modest and had sang more in films I could have enjoyed your voice more. I wish you had made records so we could have recordings of your voice. I cannot accept that you died.

[@jimstokes6742]

Lovely voice!

[@philipbrackpool-bk1bm]

Beautiful all her life.

[@benbim540]

what a beautiful talented girl Jean Simmon was. when u watch these old clips it always makes me sad to see how natural and feminine the girls were back then. most of them even kept there own natural hair colour and not a tattoo or face piercing in sight,

[@ampersandtay]

I can't believe it. She was born in 1929 and this film was released in 1945 (The way to the stars - Johnny in the clouds in the USA) so this could make her under sixteen. But what a mature face for a sixteen year old! Definitely never my type, but what a beautiful little girl.

[@nicensleazy1892]

love this

[@Segalmed]

It's available on DVD in the UK (Region 2). Also since 2011 in Region 1 (USA, Canada). Try e.g. amazon

[@baddmanaz]

RIP jean simmons

[@Alwintor]

Another version: I saw this in "Way to the Stars" on BBC2, 17 Jan 2010. By coincidence or design, a bitter-sweet version of the same song is in the haunting 1975 film "Overlord" (shown on BBC4, 20 Jan 2010). A sensitive young man is called up, foresees his own death in the Normandy landings, and has this song performed to him in a dream sequence.

[@martingrant6454]

What a beautiful girl jean simmons was. If only i could go back in time to meet her

[@10Cnote]

Renee Asherson (Iris) she's now 96 she played Princess Katherine in Henry V (1944) along side Laurence Olivier.

[@Meanmanmartin2007]

Hi. Were there many different versions of "Let Him Go Let Him Tarry"? I've heard another version by Ruby Murray which is much different

[@figjam59]

The Ruby Murray version is longer but includes the verses from this clip.

[@Segalmed]

@foxyshabazz It's among my favourites too. I found it by chance looking for films with Sir John Mills (then still alive). The British were a much more critical audience at the time than the Americans, so their movies tended to be anchored firmly in reality as far as the war was concerned. Btw, I think this movie was a major inspiration for the American '12 O'Clock High', which is actually (and surprisingly) quite watchable.

[@johnlannigan9831]

Can anyone tell me if there was a longer version of her singing this track?

[@Segalmed]

Not in the movie itself (she is not even credited there iirc). And all tracks that I find on the net with a quick search either just refer to her having sung it in this movie (while the singer in the track is somebody else) or are from the movie. That includes albums with her, so it was probably the only recording she did of the song (in abridged form).

[@johnlannigan9831]

@@Segalmed thats what I have found unfortunately. Even using Shazam just brings up her singing the normal track without the audience participation. Maybe I should have a play with Audacity on the PC and see if I can come up with something?

[@russellcampbell9198]

Talk about jumping off the screen. Star quality.

[@Iluvoldmovies92]

where can i find to watch this war movie?

[@robertallen2832]

You can find it here on YT.

[@shamrockshore6308]

I was expecting to see a 'metalised' glam-rock version.

[@ishaanshsingh7941]

What movie is this??

[@Segalmed]

+ishaansh singh The Way to the Stars (1945) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_to_the_Stars

[@ishaanshsingh7941]

+Segalmed Thank you so much :)