MovieChat Forums > I'll Be Seeing You (1945) Discussion > September Affair or I'll Be Seeing You

September Affair or I'll Be Seeing You

posted 10 years ago by marhefka
3 replies | jump to latest

Why compare these two movies:

1. They're both hidden romantic gems in b&w.
2. They're both directed by William Dieterle.
3. The main actor in both movies is Joseph Cotton
4. The main actress in SA was Joan Fontaine who was 33 at the time of the movie. The main actress is IBSY was Ginger Rogers who was 33 at the time of the movie. More trivia: Joan Fontaine did not win the Oscar for Rebecca because it was won by Ginger Rogers that year for Kitty Foyle. Joan was 2nd.
5. Both movies feature an all time standard. September Affair features The September Song while IBSY features the movie's title song.

My vote is for SA. It has a slightly better plot. Joan Fontaine was slightly better than Ginger Rogers. Jospeh Cotton was slightly better in IBSY.

But the main reason I like SA better is Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto. The theme from the 3rm movement is one of the most beautiful themes in music. Joan's character is a pianist and she plays it beautifully. At one point in the movie she plays the famous Rachmaninoff theme interspersed with The September Song. The September Song is sung during the movie by Walter Huston. In fact, it was during his singing of the song that Joan and Joseph fell in love.

[–] roydmck 10 years ago

the on location filming in September Affair is beautiful and the movie seems more realistic than I'll Be Seeing you.

[–] SouthBandWatch 10 years ago

In my opinion the two movies can't be compared because I feel they are so different from each other. I can't say one is better than the other, or that I prefer one over the other.

I think I'll Be Seeing You is a meatier screenplay. It deals with things some people are afraid to talk about, trauma to the mind and body, as well as the stigma of being a convicted felon. Both main characters were in terrifying situations that put their lives in jeopardy and resulted in mental trauma. Not just Leo, but Mary also displayed symptoms of PTSD. Joseph Cotton played his role perfectly...and his self talk during his panic attack was written spot on.

I love September Affair. It's just so darn romantic...the music, the scenery, forbidden love fulfilled...but with the quilt and anxiety of living a lie. Yummy stuff.

I scored them equally with 8s

[–] marhefka 10 years ago

chanpaw,

Spot on. I like both but my heart goes to September Affair. As you said, the music, the scenery, etc. I really don't like the ending though. The story leaves one hanging - i.e., will he go back to his wife or not?