The Human Comedy (film)
| The Human Comedy | |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Clarence Brown |
| Produced by | Clarence Brown |
| Screenplay by | Howard Estabrook |
| Story by | William Saroyan |
| Starring |
Mickey Rooney Frank Morgan |
| Narrated by | Ray Collins |
| Music by | Herbert Stothart |
| Cinematography | Harry Stradling |
| Edited by | Conrad A. Nervig |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
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Release date
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Running time
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118 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.0 million |
| Box office | $3.9 million |
The Human Comedy is a 1943 American drama film directed by Clarence Brown and adapted by Howard Estabrook. It is often thought to be based on the William Saroyan novel of the same name, but Saroyan actually wrote the screenplay first, was fired from the movie project, and quickly wrote the novel and published it just before the film was released. It stars Mickey Rooney with Frank Morgan. Also appearing in the film are James Craig, Marsha Hunt, Fay Bainter, Ray Collins, Van Johnson, Donna Reed and Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins.
The film is the story of a teenaged Homer Macauley (Mickey Rooney) in high school, working part-time as a telegram delivery boy, in the fictional town of Ithaca, California, during World War II. The effects of the war on the "Home Front" over a year in Homer's life are depicted in sentimental scenarios involving himself, his family, friends, and neighbors, and acquaintances encountered. The storyline is directed by a narrator, Homer's deceased father (Ray Collins).
Robert Mitchum and Don DeFore appear uncredited in early bit parts as buddies of a soldier Barry Nelson with a night off from training, trying to meet girls and take in a movie. Carl Switzer, best known as "Alfalfa" in the Our Gang shorts, appears uncredited as Auggie, a friend of Ulysses.
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