MovieChat Forums > The Best Years of Our Lives (1947) Discussion > Peggy, A NEW Kind of American 'Girl'.

Peggy, A NEW Kind of American 'Girl'.

posted 9 years ago by poetcomic1
13 replies | jump to latest

What a refreshing change from the 1930's with its simpering ingenue girl romantic leads. Peggy has an openness and innocence about her without being anything of a prig. Al comes back from the war and wonders if her mother has explained the 'facts of life' to her. Myrna Loy in her exquisitely dry manner responds:
"She's been working two years in an army hospital, she knows more than you and I will ever know."

[–] kbarada 9 years ago

I agree poetcomic. WWII was the turning point for a whole lot of social change. Just think how things changed in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

[–] poetcomic1 9 years ago

After WWII everything turned into sh-t.

[–] mxzt 9 years ago

After the birth of christ everything turn into sh-t.

[–] xerses13 8 years ago

poetcomic1; I am going to stick with Virginia Mayo.

[–] Forlorn_Rage 8 years ago

I totally agree! I didn't care for Teresa Wright much after seeing Shadow of a Doubt, (then again I was a biased Joseph Cotton fan). She seemed too Mary-Sueish to me.

But, after watching this movie, I began to take a very strong liking to her! Although, it still always looks so awkwardly melodramatic when she tells her parents "I'm going to break that marriage up!" xD But, I guess her later line, "That's the end of my career as a homewrecker," makes up for it, lol.

[–] poetcomic1 8 years ago

Francois Truffaut, talking with Hitchcock, said he thought Teresa Wright in Shadow of a Doubt was the very quintessence of the lovely, young American girl.

[–] Forlorn_Rage 8 years ago

I agree with that. I rewatched not too long ago and liked Teresa much better after seeing TBYOOL. I still feel bad for Joseph Cotton despite the terrible things he does to 'Charlie,' lol.

[–] JPLogan54 8 years ago

Teresa Wright rules! One of my all time favorites.

Watching her and Myrna Loy on screen together is almost rapturous.

[–] poetcomic1 8 years ago

I just enjoyed her the other night in one of her last films The Rainmaker with Matt Damon - a thoroughly enjoyable film.

[–] cultfilmfreaksdotcom 8 years ago

Cutest girl ever, that Teresa Wright. And something about Dana Andrews makes you root that he'll land the younger naive girl, like State Fair.

And while the other American girl, Wilma, is visually pleasing, oh boy is she melodramatic. Me fast-forward her scenes.

All Movie Reviews www.cultfilmfreaks.com

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 7 years ago

I just don't see how Al could have thought that Peggy wouldn't have known about "the facts of life" at the time he came home from the war. Peggy was already 18 or 19 years old! She would have learned about the facts of life SOMEWHERE by that time, even if it wasn't discussed at home.

Interesting that Al didn't wonder if his son already knew about the facts of life. Typical double-standard...

~~~~~
Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen = 

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 7 years ago

Regarding the 1930s, I recommend you see the 1933 film Baby Face. Leading lady Barbara Stanwyck is absolutely perfect as a woman who sleeps her way to the top of a profession!

~~~~~
Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen = 

[–] Jennie_Portrait 7 years ago

Yes- awesome film. A very very young John Wayne appears in a small role.

___________________________________
Never say never...