Telegram from the War Department (The Human Comedy)

[@geo2301able]

This scene could bring a tear to a glass eye...Beatifully acted...

[@georgeconnelly7958]

I cry every time I watch this scene.

[@jesseburns6191]

One of the best movies ever made. Mickey Rooney gives the greatest performance of any of his movies I've seen him in.

[@rodlabbe2976]

My grandmother on my mother's side lost her son to WWII in 1943. When she died, my mom got all her letters that had been written to my phantom uncle (I never knew him) when he was still listed as "missing in action." They were full of hope and the minutia of daily life. One line I remember in particular: she hoped he'd been captured by the Germans because they gave their prisoners beer. All the while, he was dead, killed in Italy, where his body is buried. I still have all those letters, along with his medal of Honor. Very sad.

[@areshera3949]

My grandad, Who died many years ago, Was a great friend to whom you speak of. Your name. The MOH. The letter! One day when you find out of an extended family, You never knew you had, Please text back. Can I ask! Who named you?

[@hana.the.writer5074]

I'm literally crying... RIP 💐💕

[@MrAnon00]

The emotional power of this one scene is incredible. It overwhelms me every time. The transition to her younger self holding her infant son, and her sorrowful singing... It's heart-rending. I remember, I couldn't bear the thought of her being alone... I had to pretend that she still had family and kids. (Still cling to that headcanon.) A shame that they don't make stories like this anymore.

[@christianguignard9980]

The human comedy is a real moving movie . What a great scene ! both of the actors played very well, such an incredible performance from Ann ayars whom was first of all a marvelous american soprano singer . She used to sing the "grand repertoire" along with the major conducters. In march 1950, she sang the main part during the concert performance of Orfeo and Eurydice along side Kathleen Ferrier, the best Contralto singer ever heard over the world., Afterwards she became a great teacher, and taught piano and singing, in San Jacinto, California. She became well known with "Fiesta", in 1941. In this present movie, she was in fact, only 25 years old, so she was wearing an important makeup. She left us the 27 th februar 1995. Great actress, great singer ! Also admirable young Mickey Rooney, through his part , showing the grievous effects of the second world war into the" home front"....We ( french people) should be much more grateful to american people, about their courageous involvement...also in relation to our own inconcevable behavior, by this time, especially. Arts and beauties, cure and pull through out such difficulties, also allowed remembering and prevention; But prevention is better than cure. Anyway, a sensitive way of awareness. Suffering push on singing, the depest of our soul exhale from singing. That is a blessed gift sometimes. From France....as much as possible...!

[@randylane6746]

One of the most powerful movies ever made. So many messages. So many truths.

[@johncooper3583]

This sequence is brutal to watch. It is a little longer in the film, as I recall. It's a beautiful film. Nothing like it ever since.

[@mighty1090kaay]

"The Human Comedy" was originally a Broadway play by William Saroyan. It was then adapted into this major motion picture during the heart of WWII. Like the "Fighting Sullivans" it mirrored the heartbreak & tragedy of those mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, Uncles, Aunts, et al, who received these telegrams from the War Department stating a loss of their loved ones who were serving in the War. Touching & heartbreaking. Jonnie King

[@Hainan48]

The book by William Sayoran was written to connect with the film. At age 71, this scene still sheds tears.

[@RonRicho]

I'm not crying I have something in my eye.

[@steviel6345]

Could be the most dramatic scene of any film. Wow!

[@jk4462]

I absolutely agree.

[@pylgrym]

Mickey got nominated for a well-deserved Academy Award for this genuine performance ... God give him peace through Christ our Lord ...

[@areshera3949]

Our lord is RE.

[@JOEGUIDE77]

Powerful script-writing here. Modern day Hollywood cannot touch it.

[@cheeseknife3593]

❤️ William Saroyan

[@mkkrupp2462]

Reportedly Louis B Mayer’s favourite film.

[@strouther1]

I haven't seen this movie in years!I just bought it off ebay.A great film.R.I.P Micky

[@lunarlight3131]

Good purchase

[@williamstevens3908]

One great movie and a great scene that brings tears to your eyes

[@dr.spectre9697]

Saroyan was an unsung genius. He deserves to be right up there with Twain, Steinbeck, Hemingway & Faulkner.

[@broadwaymelody33]

I was doing okay until she said “I bring you candy. All boys like candy”. Staying maternal even with this boy who just gave her the most devastating news of her life.

[@idolodeidolos4ever229]

la actriz ann ayars obviamente no es de origen mexicano tuvo que emplear un acento hispano para el papel. la verdad lo hizo bien.

[@SSArcher11]

Heart wrenching.

[@KevinLawrenceODonnell]

Beautifully Rendered....

[@KammybRich7000]

RIP Mickey Rooney

[@johncooper3583]

I am pretty certain that this was not a play to begin with. The poster below is likely thinking of another Saroyan work - The Time of Your Life, which began as a play and was made into a film 7 years later. The Human Comedy - The screenplay was first and then the novel soon thereafter,

[@VictrolaJazz]

Lovely but Ann Ayars was far too young, born in 1918, to have been the mother of a World War II soldier. I first saw this movie on my paternal grandfather's Firestone TV while spending my usual Saturday night with him in 1956 or 1957.

[@areshera3949]

58.

[@johnsmith1474]

Sad the tune was co-opted by a snack food company.

[@StrongnBeautiful]

Doesn't seem very funny.