Friendly Persuasion (1956)

Friendly Persuasion (1956)

Produced and directed by the great William Wyler this wholesome family drama about a Southern Indiana Quaker community that struggles with its religious pacifism during the Civil War received a Best Picture nomination from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It features Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire as Jess and Eliza Birdwell the parents of Josh (Anthony Perkins in his only Oscar nominated performance – Supporting Actor – as the oldest son) Mattie (Phyllis Love) and little Jess (Richard Eyer). Dimitri Tiomkin’s original song – lyrics by Paul Francis Webster – “Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)” sung by Pat Boone the film’s Sound and Screenplay (by blacklisted writer Michael Wilson who adapted Jessamyn West’s book) also received nominations. Robert Middleton plays Jess’s Methodist friend and “horse-racing” rival Sam Jordan Mark Richman plays his son Gard who’s “sweet” on Mattie. Marjorie Main plays the Widow Hudspeth; the scene in which her three man starved daughters practically devour young Josh is hilarious. Charles Halton (his last film) and Russell Simpson appear uncredited as church elders and there’s a goose named Samantha that’s both the family pet and little Jess’s tormentor.

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