Since You Went Away (1944)
Jennifer Jones: Jane Hilton
Photos
Quotes
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Anne Hilton : Jane, dear, come into the living room. I'd like to talk to you.
Jane Hilton : What's the matter, Mom?
Anne Hilton : Well, mayn't I talk to you if I want to?
Jane Hilton : Of course, but you sound so strange.
Anne Hilton : Do I? I'm sorry, I don't mean to.
Jane Hilton : What is it? Why couldn't Brig hear? Is that why you sent her - ? Not about... Pop.
Anne Hilton : No. Sit down, darling. Jane, dear, I'm terribly proud of the way you've grown up. I'm sorry Pop missed it.
Jane Hilton : Oh, is that all? That's sweet of you, Mother.
Anne Hilton : No, dear, it isn't...
Jane Hilton : It's so wonderful being at the hospital. I wish you could come and visit.
Anne Hilton : I will.
Jane Hilton : But some of it's so sad. If you could see those boys. And they're so cheerful, most of them.
Anne Hilton : I know. They have such courage. I like to think that you have that kind of courage, too, darling.
Jane Hilton : What are you trying to tell me?
Anne Hilton : That when a man goes off to war, we have to be...
Jane Hilton : Bill!
Anne Hilton : The telegram came just a few minutes ago. It was addressed to you, but I opened it.
Jane Hilton : Did it say he was missing, or what? I don't care if he's wounded, I don't care what's happened to him, if only...
Anne Hilton : No, dear, it said he... it said he died in action at Salerno.
Jane Hilton : Oh, it couldn't be! It couldn't be! It could be a mistake, couldn't it, Mother? I've heard that sometimes - sometimes they get the names mixed up.
Anne Hilton : Oh, no, honey, you mustn't fool yourself! That would be the worst thing of all. You've got to face it, as hard and cruel as it is.
Jane Hilton : Yes, I know. I've known it all along. Oh, Mother!
Anne Hilton : Cry, darling. Cry your heart out. I won't try to tell you that you'll get over it soon, because it will take time - maybe a long time.
-
Jane Hilton : Mother?
Anne Hilton : Yes, Jane?
Jane Hilton : Mother, do you think I have a nice figure?
Anne Hilton : Yes, darling. You have a beautiful figure.
Jane Hilton : Do you think Tony might paint me someday?
Anne Hilton : Over my dead body.
-
Jane Hilton : I'm sorry to have interrupted you, Dr. Golden, but I was instructed to get the patient to bed.
Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden : It's all right. He's had quite enough for one day.
Jane Hilton : Doctor, will Mr. Williams be all right?
Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden : In time. In time. He's a fine young man. He must have another chance at life, and we must work to give it to him.
Jane Hilton : His burns seem almost healed.
Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden : Yes, his burns, but the most serious injury - that, I'm afraid, will take more time.
Jane Hilton : The injury to his mind? Is that what you mean?
Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden : No, not to his mind. To his confidence, in himself and in others. Yes, we must rebuild Danny Williams' life all the way back and all the way forward. Hasn't there every been anyone close to you, Miss Hilton, for whom you would like to have done that?
Jane Hilton : Yes, there was someone.
Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden : Ah, there was. We must not live in the past, my child. There is a whole wide broken world to mend. Come, come, I mustn't have another patient. How would you like to do a tired old man a favor?
Jane Hilton : Oh, anything, Doctor.
Dr. Sigmund Gottlieb Golden : Then smile for me. Let me see that young people still can smile as they used to long ago. Huh? Yes. Just as I remember. Good night, my child.
-
Lieutenant Tony Willett : [knocks on door] Jane?
Jane Hilton : Tony? Don't come in, please!
Lieutenant Tony Willett : Don't you want to say good-bye?
Jane Hilton : I have an awful disease.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : Can't scare me. I'm coming in.
Jane Hilton : No, Tony. Wait a minute, Tony, please!
Lieutenant Tony Willett : All right, Jane?
Jane Hilton : Yes. But I wish you wouldn't.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : Hello, Janie.
Jane Hilton : Hello, Tony.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : You look fine in that kerchief. Probably start a new fashion.
Jane Hilton : I look terrible.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : Oh, no you don't. You could never look terrible. You're pretty, that's what you are.
Jane Hilton : Don't laugh at me.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : I never laugh at anybody I love. And I've loved you from the moment you were born.
Jane Hilton : Oh, is that all?
Lieutenant Tony Willett : It's the best love I have, Janie. It's a special kind of love I keep just for Anne and Tim and the two sweet girls who are part of Anne and Tim.
Jane Hilton : Oh, Tony. You're going away, and maybe you'll be killed, and I have the mumps. Just like a baby!
Lieutenant Tony Willett : I hope the mumps are the worst thing that ever happens to you your whole life long. And I won't be killed. Only the good die young, haven't you heard? And I'm neither good nor young.
Jane Hilton : But Tony, you're just the right age for a man.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : Little Janie. Wanna make a bet?
Jane Hilton : What?
Lieutenant Tony Willett : I'll bet you that by the time I see you again, you're in love.
Jane Hilton : You're silly. You're the silliest man I ever knew.
Lieutenant Tony Willett : Now you're making sense. I always knew you had a good head on your shoulders.
-
Brig Hilton : You say it's animal?
Anne Hilton : That's right.
Jane Hilton : And its home is in the Middle West.
Anne Hilton : Umm-hmm.
Brig Hilton : And it makes a noise like a lion, but it puffs like a locomotive.
Anne Hilton : Umm-hmm. Better give up. You agreed if you hadn't guessed it by the time we got home.
Jane Hilton : Oh, I know. It's Soda.
Anne Hilton : Oh, no. Brig guessed that long ago.
Brig Hilton : All right. I give up.
Anne Hilton : It's Colonel Smollett, silly.
-
Anne Hilton : [Brig is sleeping on the elderly woman on train] I'm afraid she's awfully heavy for you.
Elderly Woman on Train : Oh, no. She's so like my granddaughter. I love holding her.
Anne Hilton : Is she about the same age?
Elderly Woman on Train : No. Mary is almost 30 now. She's a nurse. Here, let me show you her picture.
[opens a locket around her neck]
Anne Hilton : Oh, she's pretty! Where is she now?
Elderly Woman on Train : I really don't know. You see, she was at Corregidor.
Anne Hilton : Oh, I'm so sorry.
Jane Hilton : Mother, won't you let me do something now? Can't I...
Anne Hilton : Oh, Jane, please, darling, not again. I'm so hot and so tired.
Jane Hilton : But just for the summer, Mother. I could be a nurse's aide, maybe.
Anne Hilton : All right, Jane.
Jane Hilton : Oh, gee, Mother, that's swell!
Anne Hilton : But remember now, just for the summer.
-
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : [starts to rain and Jane and Bill take refuge in an old barn] Oh boy, we certainly made it just in time! Ho, Ho!
Jane Hilton : How will we get home if this keeps up? It must be almost seven o'clock.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : [checks his watch] Well, what do you know? You guessed it! It's just exactly 18 minutes to seven.
Jane Hilton : Only five hours more.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, I almost forgot for a little while.
Jane Hilton : I didn't forget. Not for a minute. I've thought about it all day long.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, gee, I never thought anybody would care about me... anybody like you.
Jane Hilton : Bill.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, Jane! I don't want to leave you!
Jane Hilton : It won't be for long, darling.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : It might be for months, or for years, maybe.
Jane Hilton : It doesn't matter. I'll be thinking about you all the time. Someday the war will be over, and then we can be...
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Then we can be married, Jane?
-
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : You will marry me when it's over, won't you, Jane? You won't be mad at me because I didn't marry you now?
Jane Hilton : Of course I won't be mad. But you take care of yourself.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I will.
Jane Hilton : You write to me.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I will. You do understand, don't you?
Jane Hilton : I think so.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : You know it's because I wouldn't want you to be - Well, you know, if anything happened to me...
Jane Hilton : A widow, you mean.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, yes, but not only that. If something happened - I mean, if I was...
Jane Hilton : If you were wounded? Oh, Bill, I'd take care of you the rest of our lives, always.
-
Emily Hawkins : Hello, Jane. What's this I hear about you working at the hospital?
Jane Hilton : I'm a nurse's aide.
Emily Hawkins : A nurse's aide? Oh! What a revolting idea for an unmarried girl of your age. Well, our whole code of living seems to be completely ignored these days, and possibly it's none of my business...
Lieutenant Tony Willett : You're quite right, Mrs. Hawkins. It is none of your business.
Emily Hawkins : I must say, Lieutenant, or Commander, or whatever you are, the Navy hasn't improved your manners any.
Anne Hilton : Please, Tony. Please, Emily. It's the Colonel's birthday, and we're trying to have a party.
Emily Hawkins : I'm sorry. I meant no offense to you, Jane. I simply feel that well-brought up young girls shouldn't be permitted to have such intimate contact with all sorts of...
Jane Hilton : All sorts of boys who've lost their arms and legs? They're young too, lots of them. But they weren't too young for that, Mrs. Hawkins, and I don't think breeding entered into it either.
Colonel William G. Smollett : Bravo, Jane.
Emily Hawkins : I don't care to debate it with you, Jane. But surely there are women more suited to such...
Jane Hilton : That's just it. There aren't women more suited. And women who might help, like you, Mrs. Hawkins, think you're doing your part if you attend a canteen dance for your own pleasure.
Anne Hilton : You're tired, honey. Why don't you go upstairs?
Jane Hilton : Yes, Mother. But there are just one or two more things I want to say.
Brig Hilton : Come on, darling. She's not worth it.
Jane Hilton : We're not V-girls! We're simply helping with the wreckage.
[laughs sarcastically]
Jane Hilton : All right, Brig, let's go play with our dolls! Don't worry, Mrs. Hawkins. Please don't worry if our precious well-bred hands come in contact with those mangled bodies. We'll survive! Even if they dont!
[runs upstairs with Brig]
Emily Hawkins : Anne Hilton! What on earth has happened that you would permit a child of yours to talk that way without so much as...
Anne Hilton : Without so much as what? Thank heaven my child has the courage to say to you what should have been said long ago. And let me add that I'm ashamed. Ashamed that I've put up with you, that I've even known you.
Emily Hawkins : Well! From now on, you needn't know me. Don't you think for a minute you have me fooled, Anne Hilton. I've not forgotten how you felt about your husband joining up. And may I ask just what other noble sacrifices you've made to give you the privilege of being so self-righteous?
Anne Hilton : I'm afraid that's just it, Emily. I haven't really made any sacrifices. Oh, I haven't hoarded and cheated and done all the other selfish, unpatriotic things that you've done. But as far as making sacrifices, I'm afraid we're two of a kind. And the realization of it doesn't make me very proud or happy.
-
Brig Hilton : I know! Why don't we take somebody into the house? You know, a roomer!
Anne Hilton : Oh, well, if you're going to throw away aces, Jane, that's fine with me.
Brig Hilton : But Mother, listen to me, why shouldn't we rent a room? There's such a terrible shortage.
Jane Hilton : Go away. Down with five.
Anne Hilton : It's perfectly ridiculous, Brig. A stranger in our home. Where you get your ideas is beyond me.
Jane Hilton : Certainly it's ridiculous. It's communism, that's what it is!
Brig Hilton : Oh, pooh! We could get an officer maybe. And it might be sort of like having Pop back.
Jane Hilton : An officer? You know, Mother, I think maybe she's right. I understand there's not a room to be had in town. It might be very patriotic of us to take an officer into our house.
Brig Hilton : Patriotism hasn't anything to do with it. You're just crazy about uniforms, that's all. Ha! Patriotic!
Jane Hilton : I think we should do everything we can for our soldiers. That's being patriotic, I...
Anne Hilton : Brig, Jane, now that's enough. Do you want to finish this game, or don't you?
Jane Hilton : 102. It's a blitz.
Anne Hilton : Turn out the dining room lights, Brig.
Brig Hilton : Suppose Pop were looking for a room in some crowded city like this.
Anne Hilton : Hurry up, Jane, it can't be that hard to figure out.
Brig Hilton : And suppose there were a nice family like ours that had three bedrooms for three people. Don't you think it would be just malicious of them not to want to rent a room to Pop?
Anne Hilton : Well, Jane?
Jane Hilton : I won almost $6,000. 592 points at $10 a point.
Anne Hilton : All right, deduct it from what you owe me.
Brig Hilton : And poor Pop, sleeping in the park!
Anne Hilton : All right, all right. Pop is sleeping in the park, and the people are all malicious, and we decide to rent him a room. Now you satisfied?
Jane Hilton : You will, Mother? You'll do it?
Anne Hilton : I didn't say I'd do it. I'll think about it.
Brig Hilton : I just knew you couldn't be mean like those characters in that other city. I wonder how much we can get for Jane's room.
Jane Hilton : My room?
-
Jane Hilton : I beg your pardon, Colonel Smollett. There's someone here to see you. Your grandson.
Colonel William G. Smollett : William?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Hello, Grandpa!
Colonel William G. Smollett : To what peculiar combination of circumstances do I owe this visit, William?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, you see, I was transferred out here to Chamberlain Field, and I found out at your office...
Colonel William G. Smollett : Indeed? I wasn't even aware that the United States forces had been honored by your membership.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I enlisted, sir. Last summer.
Colonel William G. Smollett : So. I don't think we need trouble these young women with your autobiography. Let's go into the living room. If you will excuse me.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Excuse me.
Colonel William G. Smollett : I presume you've come to me for help of one sort or another with your tail between your legs.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : No, sir, I thought you might like - Well, you see...
Colonel William G. Smollett : Or is it money that you're after? Speak up, boy.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I thought you might like to see me.
Colonel William G. Smollett : A very mistaken notion if ever you had one, and you've had plenty as we're both well aware.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : After all, I thought we may not see one another again. I don't know when I'll be shipped out.
Colonel William G. Smollett : Come, William. Let's not dramatize these things. There's no need for any pretense of affection between us. You've paid your courtesy call.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, all right, if that's the way you feel about it! I'm sorry to have disturbed you.
Colonel William G. Smollett : You may drop me a line with your address. And if you have any affairs that require attention, I shall have my lawyers look after them. For your late father's sake. Now, I'm sure you will excuse me. I'm a bit tired.
-
Hal Smith : You know, I've never been to the beach in my whole life.
Jane Hilton : I've never seen the ocean.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : You haven't?
Hal Smith : I never saw it till a couple of months ago.
Jane Hilton : But you're a sailor.
Hal Smith : I was brought up on a farm.
Jane Hilton : Oh, I see.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I've never been on a farm.
Jane Hilton : You haven't?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I was brought up on an Army post.
Jane Hilton : Oh, I see.
-
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Do you mind if I smoke?
Jane Hilton : Of course not. Bill, why are you so... so timid about things?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : What do you mean, Jane?
Jane Hilton : Oh, I mean about asking if you can smoke. Well, nobody else does that. And, well, I mean everything. Is it... I hope you won't think I'm being forward, but is it something to do with your grandfather?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : No, it isn't that. Although I suppose I've always been sort of scared of Grandpa.
-
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : You see, my father was a soldier. He was a colonel when he died. I guess all the Smolletts all the way back were soldiers. One of them was with Washington at Yorktown. Although sometimes I think Grandpa just made that one up.
Jane Hilton : I'm sure he didn't. You ought to be awfully proud.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, I'm proud, all right. But something went wrong with me. Mother died when I was born, so I never knew her. Well, of course I never knew her.
Jane Hilton : That's a shame.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : She could paint pretty well, china and things. I hope I can show you her work sometime. That is, if Grandpa...
Jane Hilton : If Grandpa what?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, if I go home. You see, I haven't lived home since West Point.
Jane Hilton : West Point?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, Jane, you don't want to hear all about this, do you?
Jane Hilton : Not if you don't want me to, Bill.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, but I do of course. There's no one in the whole world that I'd rather explain - that I'd rather tell.
-
Jane Hilton : You were talking about how your grandfather always wanted you to be a soldier. Would you like a sandwich or something?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : He wanted me to be a general.
Jane Hilton : But didn't you want to be a general?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, no I didn't.
Jane Hilton : But why not, Bill?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I had an idea it was more important to build things. But, I don't mean it isn't terribly important being a soldier. I don't know how we'd keep the things we build without them.
Jane Hilton : Of course. But you said you went to West Point. I should think you'd be a lot more than a...
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : More than a corporal, you mean.
Jane Hilton : Let's have a picnic sometime. I'll bring a - Bill, I didn't mean that. It's wonderful being a corporal.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : No, you meant that if I went to the Academy, I ought to be more than a corporal. Well, you might as well know it. I - I was kicked out and I broke Grandpa's heart.
Jane Hilton : I'm sure it wasn't your fault.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Yes, it was.
Jane Hilton : Bill, come and sit down.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Look. Grandpa's father carried this watch at Vicksburg. Grandpa gave it to me on my tenth birthday. He had it engraved for me. Read it. I'll light a match.
Jane Hilton : "To William G. Smollett, the Second, who will lead men to glory on the battlefield." You must have been terribly pleased.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I said, "Grandpa, don't people hurt each other in war?" You see, I was only ten. He took the watch away from me. But he gave it back to me again when I entered the Academy. Aw, Jane, I did my best, but I could never make a good officer. I can't lead men, and I know it, so even if I led my class the way Grandpa thought I should...
Jane Hilton : "Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa." What about yourself? Why is it so important that you satisfy him, the old...
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Because he loved me so. Yeah, I'm sure he did - once. But all through military school, from the time I was eight years old, I kept letting him down. I never even wanted to play with the tin soldiers he gave me. Grandpa kept telling me that if I was a Smollett I'd... But I gues I was always - well you know - weak. I was sort of a joke at the Academy, I only lasted a couple of months. Grandpa couldn't face his old cronies. Well, that's it. Now you can see what a mess I made out of everything.
Jane Hilton : You've done no such thing! You're fine and strong, but you're just sensitive, that's all.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : But don't you think I'm a failure after everything I've told you?
Jane Hilton : A failure? Just because you're not an officer? Why an officer I know, he said that you are the boys doing the fighting.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Lieutenant Willett?
Jane Hilton : Yes.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : You think a lot of him, don't you?
Jane Hilton : Of course, but what's that got to do with it? You're a soldier, and I'm - that is, we're proud of you. And I hope you never get promoted. All those officers strutting around with their gold braid and everything.
-
Jane Hilton : Colonel Smollett, do you mind being talked to at breakfast?
Colonel William G. Smollett : I most certainly do mind.
Jane Hilton : It's about Bill.
Colonel William G. Smollett : About whom?
Jane Hilton : Bill. You remember, your grandson.
Colonel William G. Smollett : Yes indeed, I do remember. What about him?
Jane Hilton : He's a nice boy.
Colonel William G. Smollett : A most interesting observation, Miss Hilton.
Jane Hilton : I'm afraid you don't understand him. He really needs you to help him, like a mother. He has an inferiority complex, and...
Colonel William G. Smollett : Young woman, I have handled men for 35 years, and I don't think I require any instructions on the subject, least of all about my own grandson!
Jane Hilton : I was only trying to help! He respects you so much!
Colonel William G. Smollett : Then I'll thank you to do the same and stop your intrusion in my affairs!
Jane Hilton : If you only knew the first thing about psychology you'd know better than to try to browbeat him. Colonel Smollett! Colonel Smollett, if you'd only listen.
Colonel William G. Smollett : You may advise your mother that henceforth I shall have a decent breakfast downtown for forty cents!
Jane Hilton : I think you're a rude, mean, horrible, old goat!
-
Jane Hilton : How are things out at the field?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, they're fine, thank you. How's everything with you?
Jane Hilton : Oh, just fine. I want to get a war job, but Mother won't let me.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, I think she's right. You ought to stay home...
Jane Hilton : No, it isn't that at all. Mother wants me to go to college.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh. Oh, gee. That would take four years, wouldn't it?
Jane Hilton : If I go.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : You don't want to go?
Jane Hilton : No, it's so silly. If I were three or four years older, I could be a Wave.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Or a Wac.
Jane Hilton : Or a nurse. That's what I'd rather be most. A nurse.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : That would be swell if I was wounded.
Jane Hilton : You shouldn't say such things.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh. I won't be wounded. I'll be killed.
Jane Hilton : Bill!
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, Jane would you care?
Jane Hilton : Well, of course I'd care, silly.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, gee, that'd be fine.
Jane Hilton : What would be fine about it?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Well, I thought that if - Well, what I mean is I would be glad if you were sorry if I were killed.
Jane Hilton : What good would that do if you were dead?
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Yeah, I guess you're right.
Jane Hilton : I don't ever want to hear you talk like that again.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Okay. I'm sure sorry I missed your graduation.
-
[Bill and Jane are saying goodnight to the extremely handsome sailor they met at the bowling alley, of whom Bill is somewhat jealous]
Hal Smith : Well, good-bye, miss. My name's Harold E. Smith.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : I'm Bill Smollett, and this is Miss Hilton.
Hal Smith : How are you?
Jane Hilton : Jane's my first name.
Hal Smith : Good-bye, Jane.
Jane Hilton : Good-bye.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Bye, Harold.
Hal Smith : Hal.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh. Bye, Hal.
[Hal gets on the bus, leaving Bill and Jane alone]
Jane Hilton : He's nice.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Yeah, he's a nice fella.
Jane Hilton : You were sweet to him, Bill. And I'm sorry about...
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : Oh, I acted like a fool.
[dourly]
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : He's good-looking, isn't he?
Jane Hilton : [breezily] Is he? I hadn't noticed.
Cpl. Bill Smollett 2nd : [incredulous] You MUST have noticed!