The Hasty Heart
Encyclopedia
The Hasty Heart is a 1949
British-American co-production film based on the play of the same name by John Patrick
. It tells the story of a group of wounded Allied
soldiers in a mobile surgery unit at the end of World War II
who, after initial resentment and ostracism, rally around a loner, a heretofore surly, unappreciative Scot
when they find out he is dying. The film stars Ronald Reagan
as the American, Patricia Neal
as the harried nurse, Sister Margaret Parker, Richard Todd
as Lachie, the Scot, Anthony Nicholls
as the hospital commander, Howard Marion-Crawford
as the British soldier, John Sherman
as the Australian, and Orlando Martins
as the African (affectionately known as "Blossom").
The film was adapted by Ranald MacDougall
from Patrick's play, and directed by Vincent Sherman
.
Richard Todd (who won the role over Gordon Jackson
) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor
. The film also won two Golden Globes (Richard Todd for "Most Promising Newcomer - Male" and for "Best Film Promoting International Understanding")
, Perry King
and Cheryl Ladd
. King won a Golden Globe nomination for the role.
1949 in film
The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello...
British-American co-production film based on the play of the same name by John Patrick
John Patrick
John Patrick was an American playwright and screenwriter.- Biography :Born John Patrick Goggin in Louisville, Kentucky, his parents soon abandoned him and he spent a delinquent youth in foster homes and boarding schools. At age 19, he secured a job as an announcer at KPO Radio in San Francisco,...
. It tells the story of a group of wounded Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
soldiers in a mobile surgery unit at the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who, after initial resentment and ostracism, rally around a loner, a heretofore surly, unappreciative Scot
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
when they find out he is dying. The film stars Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
as the American, Patricia Neal
Patricia Neal
Patricia Neal was an American actress of stage and screen. She was best known for her film roles as World War II widow Helen Benson in The Day the Earth Stood Still , wealthy matron Emily Eustace Failenson in Breakfast at Tiffany's , middle-aged housekeeper Alma Brown in Hud , for which she won...
as the harried nurse, Sister Margaret Parker, Richard Todd
Richard Todd
Richard Todd OBE was an Irish-born British stage and film actor and soldier.-Early life:Richard Todd was born as Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd in Dublin, Ireland. His father, Andrew William Palethorpe Todd, was an Irish physician and an international Irish rugby player who gained three caps for...
as Lachie, the Scot, Anthony Nicholls
Anthony Nicholls (actor)
Anthony Nicholls was an English film, television, and stage actor.-Life and career:Nicholls was born Sydney Horace Nicholls on 16 October 1902 in Windsor, Berkshire, England, the son of Florence and photojournalist Horace Nicholls. He served in the Royal Artillery...
as the hospital commander, Howard Marion-Crawford
Howard Marion-Crawford
Howard Marion-Crawford , the grandson of writer F. Marion Crawford, was an English character actor, best known for his portrayal of Dr. Watson in the 1954 television adaptation of Sherlock Holmes...
as the British soldier, John Sherman
John Sherman
John Sherman may refer to:* John Sherman , U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Ohio* John Sherman , American Unitarian pastor* John Sherman , English cricketer...
as the Australian, and Orlando Martins
Orlando Martins
Orlando Martins was a pioneering black actor in film and on stage. In the late 1940s, he was one of England's most prominent and leading black actors, and in a poll conducted in 1947, he was listed among England's top 15 favorite actors.-Life:...
as the African (affectionately known as "Blossom").
The film was adapted by Ranald MacDougall
Ranald MacDougall
Ranald MacDougall was an American screenwriter who scripted such films as Mildred Pierce , The Unsuspected , June Bride , and The Naked Jungle ....
from Patrick's play, and directed by Vincent Sherman
Vincent Sherman
Vincent Sherman was an American director, and actor, who worked in Hollywood. His movies include Mr. Skeffington , Nora Prentiss , and The Young Philadelphians ....
.
Richard Todd (who won the role over Gordon Jackson
Gordon Jackson (actor)
Gordon Cameron Jackson, OBE was a Scottish Emmy Award-winning actor best remembered for his roles as the butler Angus Hudson in Upstairs, Downstairs and George Cowley, the head of CI5, in The Professionals....
) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor
Academy Award for Best Actor
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
. The film also won two Golden Globes (Richard Todd for "Most Promising Newcomer - Male" and for "Best Film Promoting International Understanding")
TV remake
The Hasty Heart was remade for television in 1983. It starred Gregory HarrisonGregory Harrison
Gregory Neale Harrison is an American actor. He is probably best known for his role as Chandler in the 1987 cult favorite North Shore and as Trapper John MacIntyre's young surgeon, Dr. George Alonzo 'Gonzo' Gates, on the CBS series Trapper John, M.D....
, Perry King
Perry King
Perry Firestone King is an American television and film actor. King played the role of Cody Allen on the detective series Riptide from 1983 to 1986.-Early life:...
and Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl Ladd is an American actress, singer and author. Ladd is best known for her role as Kris Munroe in the television series Charlie's Angels, hired amid a swirl of publicity prior to its second season in 1977 to replace the departing Farrah Fawcett-Majors...
. King won a Golden Globe nomination for the role.