Since You Went Away (1944)

Colonel William G. Smollett: He struggled so hard to be a soldier, because I insisted on it. I, in my infinite wisdom.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: He would have been a soldier anyway, as things turned out.
Colonel William G. Smollett: Yes, but all he learned from me was the glory, the decorations, the parades.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Bill had character and courage. I know you gave him those.
Colonel William G. Smollett: I hope so.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: He loved you.
Colonel William G. Smollett: Mrs. Hilton, I'm not a child. He hated me. To whom did that telegram come? Why, he didn't even list me as next of kin.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: The telegram came to Jane, because they were to be married.
Colonel William G. Smollett: Oh, I didn't know, of course.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: I should have told you before. Colonel, if only you could believe that he loved you. Don't you remember the message he sent you? That he was a Smollett, all right, and before the war was over, you'd be proud of him.

---

Major Sam Atkins: Hello, Tony. I didn't know you were in town.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Hello, Sam. It's quite a dance you fellows are putting on here. What's the matter? You look upset.
Major Sam Atkins: Just got some bad news. Good evening, Mrs. Hilton.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Good evening, Major.
Major Sam Atkins: Plane crash. Don't say anything about it now, it might spoil the fun.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: That's too bad. Where'd it happen?
Major Sam Atkins: Right outside town. Lost one of my best boys.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: What was his name?
Major Sam Atkins: Mahoney. He hit some wires.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Oh, not Johnny!
Major Sam Atkins: Did you know him? Well, I hope he wasn't, uh...
Mrs. Anne Hilton: But it can't be! We were talking to him here just a little while ago.
Major Sam Atkins: I'm extremely sorry, Mrs. Hilton. I had no idea that you knew him. I shouldn't have said anything.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: It was just that I liked Johnny very much. I know his father.
Major Sam Atkins: A terrible thing.
Soldier at Dance: Beg pardon, sir. The car's ready for you now, sir.
Major Sam Atkins: Be right there.
Soldier at Dance: Yes, sir.
Major Sam Atkins: I've got to go and examine the wreck. Not a very pleasant job, I can tell you. Good night.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Good night.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Oh Tony, how awful. His poor parents.
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Lucky Johnny. Come on, Anne. Let's dance.
Mrs. Anne Hilton: Dance?
Lieutenant Tony Willett: Look Anne, you'll be hearing plenty of things like this. Might as well get used to them now.

---

Corporal William G. 'Bill' Smollett II: 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 Deborah Hilton: Of course I won't be mad. But you take care of yourself.
Corporal William G. 'Bill' Smollett II: I will.
Jane Deborah Hilton: You write to me.
Corporal William G. 'Bill' Smollett II: I will. You do understand, don't you?
Jane Deborah Hilton: I think so.
Corporal William G. 'Bill' Smollett II: You know it's because I wouldn't want you to be - Well, you know, if anything happened to me ...
Jane Deborah Hilton: A widow, you mean.
Corporal William G. 'Bill' Smollett II: Well, yes, but not only that. If something happened - I mean, if I was -
Jane Deborah Hilton: If you were wounded? Oh, Bill, I'd take care of you the rest of our lives, always.

---

read more quotes from Since You Went Away...

Katharine Cornell loved the book and campaigned to play the role, but David O. Selznick turned her down in favor of Claudette Colbert.
This came about because David O. Selznick wanted to make a film that showed his support for the war effort. He deliberately did not want to make a traditional war movie.
Claudette Colbert originally turned down the chance to play the lead as she didn't like the idea of playing mother to two teenage daughters. Enlisting the help of gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper, David O. Selznick was able to finally convince her to take on the part.
read more facts about Since You Went Away...