Great Film But Dana Andrews Was Too Old For The Part
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — General Discussion
dawnbaxter34 — 9 years ago(December 17, 2016 08:34 AM)
He was 37 when the film came out and it's hard to believe someone in his 30's being a soda jerk before enlisting.
I'm not sure why an actor in his 20's wasn't cast for the part. That would also have made the relationship with Peggy a bit more appropriate. -
Jennie_Portrait — 9 years ago(December 24, 2016 11:16 PM)
Yes, but Teresa Wright is also a tad old for the part of Peggy. She really should be about 21 years old at most. The actress was close to 29 years old at the time.
The story is pretty clear that Fred comes from a lower economic class than either Al or Homer. Note that when he visits his father and stepmother (Hortense), their home is a very tiny house
literally
on the other side of the tracks. To make it really clear, you can
hear
the train rattling the house.
Fred may have been a high school drop out. That would account for his poor job prospects. Then the war took place and he did relatively well, becoming an officer. It was quite a letdown getting back to civilian life.
Never say never
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jimprideaux2 — 10 months ago(May 18, 2025 09:10 PM)
Maybe it because she was introduced along with her HS brother I thought she looked like she recently graduated HS. Andrews on the other hand looked every bit like someone in his late 30s or even older. Maybe it was his husky masculine voice or the way he carried himself. Then he starts talking about being a soda jerk before the war. That was not making any sense to me. Then I just let it go and figured Andrews character was just supposed to be way younger than Andrews was.
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hilaryjrp — 9 years ago(December 25, 2016 03:07 AM)
I'm not sure why an actor in his 20's wasn't cast for the part.
This made me smile. Dana Andrews was/is so handsome, his name is
still
among my top five searches whenever a new streaming service comes out and offers a trial-month. Wyler didn't cast an actor in his 20's most likely because he knew the film needed a lovely, kindly, and yes, stunning actor in the film's lead role. -
SealedCargo — 6 years ago(May 14, 2019 05:47 AM)
lol this is the generation who thinks Leo DiCapri isn't too young to play an adult in movies.
Dana Andrews was the best thing in the best years. It's insane to find him too old for this. Just insane.
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