My Son John * (1952, Robert Walker, Helen Hayes, Van Heflin, Dean Jagger) – Classic Movie Review 9362

Producer-director Leo McCarey’s 1952 drama My Son John is one of the most glaring examples of 50s Hollywood’s rabid anti-communist attitudes with John Jefferson (Robert Walker) ostracised by his all-American family when he returns home much changed after a long absence overseas and it is revealed that he is now a non-Church-going Communist.

My Son John is far more interesting as a slice of infamous history than as dramatic entertainment, and this ‘red menace’ movie is an unworthy testament to Walker, who died before the film was completed.

This shocking and disgraceful piece attracted a remarkable cast (Helen Hayes as uncomprehending mom, Dean Jagger as Bible-bashing dad, and Van Heflin as an FBI agent) and a fine director.

Though My Son John is despicable, it is admittedly well crafted with handsome black and white photography by Harry Stradling Sr.

The story and screenplay are by McCarey, who was a staunch anti-Communist, part of Hollywood’s right-wing faction and a devout Roman Catholic.

It is Walker’s last film. Parts of it were rewritten when he died during production, with use of a double, shot from behind, and footage from Strangers on a Train (1951). McCarey does some voice work for Walker. With a history of alcoholism, he died on 28 August 1951 in Los Angeles of an adverse reaction to a prescription drug prescribed by his psychiatrist, while drinking as well.

Jagger was a staunch Republican, and supported Joseph McCarthy during his investigations of alleged Communist spies in the US State Department.

Also in the cast are Minor Watson, Frank McHugh, Richard Jaeckel, James Young, Nancy Hale, Margaret Wells, Todd Karnes, Frances Morris (scenes deleted), Douglas Evans, Gail Bonney (scenes deleted), Irene Winston, David Newell, Erskine Sanford (scenes deleted), Mishka Egan, David Bond (scenes deleted), Eghichke Harkut and Jimmie Dundee.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9362

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