Seven Days Leave 
Directed by Richard Wallace
Written by John Farrow and Dan Totheroh from a play by J.M. Barrie
1930/US
Paramount Pictures
IMDb page
First viewing/YouTube
“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.” ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Never Never Land meets WWI in this sentimental story of mother love.
The story is set in WWI London. Sarah Ann Dowey (Beryl Mercer is a humble widowed charwoman who is getting up in years. She begins the story searching for a way to make a contribution to the war effort. The only solution the Ministry of War can agree to is her offer to be charwoman at the Ministry. She is very sociable and chats with her co-workers for a cup of tea and a good gossip at the local pub. All her friends have sons in the war. So she sets about creating one for herself. She finds a newspaper article about a man named K. Dowey, who is in the prestigious Black Guard, and his exploits in the war. She has a vivid imagination and talks about him as if he was real.
Cut to Pvt. Kenneth Dowey (Gary Cooper in a Kilt!) in the trenches. Dowey is a Canadian orphan who volunteered to serve in the British Army but became disillusioned by the endless war and deplorable conditions. He is a known trouble maker. He has recently been wounded and is eligible for seven days leave. The brass give him this although they it expect to end badly and even doubt that he will return.
Dowey heads to London where he checks in to the YMCA. Miraculously, a clergyman knows about Mrs. Dowey and steers Kenneth toward her house. He initially goes there to chew her out but gradually melts under the outpouring of love by the old widow. He reciprocates by showing her the high tone side of London. I’ll stop here.
This is a unique movie. You have to have the mindset to imagine this is a happy and sad fairy tale. If you can, you will accept the Beryl Mercers extravagant performance as a slightly daft old lady with a good heart. She is excellent at conveying this. It’s been awhile since I’ve see Cooper in a comic role. I’m in awe of his straight-faced humorous delivery. All in all, I enjoyed this movie. Recommended but be aware that it is very sentimental and becomes melodramatic toward the end.
Tribute to Gary Cooper narrated by his Daughter
