User reviews

I was always fascinated by Frank Morgan as a kid and am sorry that so little data is registered for him in the biography section. So many film stars of that era are given so little acclaim when they were truly greats to the film industry. They lived their lives, made their marks in history and we are truly privileged to have the archives of those movies to re-live that era.

Based on the memoir of Rebecca Yancy Williams, 'The Vanishing Virginian' was seen in the first place for two reasons when it popped up as a recomemndation. One was that it was directed by Frank Borzage, always a sensitive director with many films well worth watching yet is still deserving of more credit. The other was for the cast, with Frank Morgan, Kathryn Grayson and Spring Byington all being great in other things. The idea of the story also intrigued me, despite not knowing an awful lot about it beforehand.

'The Vanishing Virginian' is another Borzage film that is well worth watching and does nothing to waste its cast talent. While it is not my definition of a great film, with a few foibles here and there, it is nonetheless an interesting one with more done right than wrong. Would not go as far to say that it is a must watch, but it is hardly a film to remain obscure. 'The Vanishing Virginian' is also largely successful in making an interesting story engaging and accessible, providing one doesn't mind films that are quite sentimental and sugary. Always a good thing when it's a story that is relatively new to you.

Maybe there could have been less sugar, it does get too much in places, as does occasionally the sentiment. Occasionally, the pace rambles.

Something that could have been solved by having a couple less of the songs. The songs are very pleasant, with "Steal Away" and "Auld Lang Syne" being classics and put to poignant use, and Kathryn Grayson sings her contributions beautifully (am one of those people who does like her voice, though it is a type of voice that's an acquired taste), but not all felt necessary to the storyline.

However, 'The Vanishing Virginian' is beautifully filmed, the production values being expectedly top-notch, and sensitively directed by Borzage. The music is very easy on the ears and doesn't sound syrupy or intrusive. The script is generally appealingly light-hearted with a humorous edge and lots of charm.

A vast majority of the story, while not perfect in execution, is warm, nostalgic and affectionate, making for a relaxing watch. Didn't find myself bored and did think that there was enough bite to the film's content to not make it too overly-idealised. The cast characterise beautifully in likeably written roles, Morgan and Byington are both on sparkling form and newcomer (at the time) Grayson more than holds her own with them.

Overall, definitely worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is a warm, humorous and sentimental film, based on Rebecca Yancy Williams' memoir of her family in small-town Virginia, circa 1905-1929. The essence of the story is centered on her father, Colonel Bob, and his life long public service. The film also lightly and humorously delves into the issues of the time, i.e. prohibition and women's suffrage. What makes this film a winner for me, is the fine acting of Frank Morgan as Colonel Robert Yancy, and Spring Byington as his wife. Well directed by Frank Borzage, and with MGM topnotch production values, it's worth a look, if sentimental films appeal to you.

"This is the story of a vanishing era when simple men so loved their country, their families that America became a better place to live." The setting is 1913 Lynchburg, Virginia. There, popular prosecuting attorney Frank Morgan (as Robert "Cap'n Bob" Yancey) resides with his large family. Likewise "old-fashioned" wife Spring Byington (as Rosa) is the mother. The couple have five children, led by high-pitched Kathryn Grayson (as Rebecca) and lawyer-like Natalie Thompson (as Margaret). The "girls" are ready to choose mates and careers, which gets to the film's intended sub-textual theme - the changing role of women in the 20th century...

There is a story here, but not the one you're expecting...

The possibility one of the daughters may become an attorney is addressed, although marrying a lawyer is preferable. Women do drive motor vehicles, without hysterics (transportation brackets the decades spanning film artfully); most significantly, a minor female character is portrayed as a relatively positive divorcée. Now contrast the "hints" of freedom permitted women with those afforded ex-slaves and you've got a more interesting film. Beloved family retainers "Aunt" Louise Beavers (as Emmeline) and "Uncle" Leigh Whipper (as Josh) know their place is happily slaving away their lives away for the white master. It's insightfully racist.

****** The Vanishing Virginian (1/23/42) Frank Borzage ~ Frank Morgan, Spring Byington, Kathryn Grayson, Louise Beavers

A must see for all those movie lovers of good old time movies that have wonderful family values to portray and done in such a excellent manner. They don't make movies like this anymore which is very sad. An excellent performance by Frank Morgan and all the supporting cast. A young Kathryn Grayson plays a delightful role too. If you like the old time family values portrayed then this is a definite must.

It's 1913 in Virginia. Six term Prosecuting Attorney of Lynchburg, Robert Yancey (Frank Morgan), intends to run for a seventh term despite his wife's objection. They have five children and plenty of black servants who are treated as family.

This movie is pushing very hard for the nostalgia of the old south. It is interesting for this era of cinema and as a study of the old societal conventions. It's based on the memoirs from one of Robert's children. None of this has lasted long in the popular imagination. It's trying to show a life of racial justice, but the paternal attitude overwhelms the works. It doesn't help with the dated comedy from the accidental black-face. It's a different time. The family story is rather scattered. It's a lot of rambling happenings without structure. It's a time and a place, not only for this story but when this was released.

Drawn to this movie on TCM by the name, I was tickled to find it was set in my hometown of Lynchburg. The writer absolutely had to have lived here. I found myself rolling with laughter at parts that I don't think anyone in the country could quite understand in the same way unless they had spent a great deal of time around here. Any former or present resident of Lynchburg must see this gem. I hope movie archivists realize the historical significance of this film and keep it around for posterity. The movie industry was very busy in Virginia at the time, making another favorite of mine, "Virginia" starring Fred MacMurray and Madeleine Carroll that I also recommend. More recently, we were privileged to be in the company of Bill Murray and company during the filming of "What about Bob" at nearby Smith Mountain Lake, Patrick Swayze during the filming of "Dirty Dancing" at Mountain Lake Resort, and in Historic Lexington, Jodie Foster of "Sommersby" and Tom Cruise of "War Of The Worlds" Virginia is also home of TV's "The Waltons" My mother grew up with the real Hamner family in her small hometown of Schuyler where her elementary school was converted into "The Walton Mountain Museum" which features sets from the movie and memorabilia.

Deserves a prominent place in any white supremacist's film library.

Others here have very ably and fondly described the movie's storyline, characters, and acting; however, there has not been attention paid to the music in this film, especially to Kathryn Grayson's talents

Miss Grayson's talents are well displayed, both as a singer and as an actress, and her amazing voice is put to good use here without seeming overly contrived, even to modern ears; the songs were appropriate to the scene, such as when Miss Grayson's character was entertaining two little girls by singing to them playfully, or when an impromptu ensemble joined on the home's front porch one evening, singing and laughing, which was not at all unusual in the days before air conditioning, televisions, and computers.

Individually and in ensembles, many of the cast contributed their vocal and instrumental talents, with two moments standing out as particularly touching: the congregation singing at the funeral (with Miss Grayson having a prominent role), and the town's men singing a heartfelt "Auld Lang Syne" at the film's closing scene.

No, this is not a musical, but like many films of that era and of this genre, there is music in it. It is not music that is merely incidental or music that underscores on-screen action, but music integral to the story and which is itself part of the dialogue -- part of the story.

"The Vanishing Virginian" is a gentle reminder of how the masters of a bygone era told their stories. Sometimes it seems we are missing a lot in more modern movies.

Don't watch this film if you are an avowed or sub-conscious Marxist who is significantly distressed and trigged by the fact that not every decade in American history was like the enlightened 2000s, who is disturbed at the fact that not everyone in history thinks exactly like we do today and who is distraught at the fact that race and gender relations needed to naturally develop and improve within a context of relative social stability over a great deal of time - rather than be immediately overthrown in a 'glorious revolution'.

However, if you are a person who is able to put aside their presentist bias, you may thoroughly enjoy this delightful portrait of a southern family in the early 20th century.

Really super movie. Fun and very enjoyable to watch. Really classic stars in it that you enjoy seeing. Nice to see the love a family for each other and the people involved in their lives.

I recently watched this movie on TCM (recorded from a few months ago). I became engrossed in the culture of Southern Virginia at turn of 20th century. This is a great movie (it does have a few foibles--such as making sure Kathryn Grayson gets to sing a lot). I have not seen many movies starring Frank Morgan, but he's great in this one (better than his performance in Wizard of Oz). So is Spring Byington--the two of them carry this story, with assistance from the rest of cast which is very good. I highly recommend this movie if you want a view into the life of an upper middle class family in this era, in Southern VA.

I am a Frank Morgan fan. So my review is for this movie and his performance in it. You won't see the prototypical Frank Morgan role as the Wizard of Oz. Or any of the other many movies featuring him as the congenial, slightly confused, bumbling erstwhile con-man. Frank Morgan's role ranges here from a slightly pompous father figure to a serious man of justice in a dramatic courtroom scene that was totally unexpected and may astonish you as it did me. It is one of the two best dramatic roles I've seen him in. (The other is in "The Kiss Before the Mirror", 1933. I recommend that movie, as well.) A minor distraction for me is Kathryn Grayson's singing. She was popular when this movie was made and the producers no doubt saw her as attracting a wider audience. For me, her singing style was a little too operatic for this movie's time and place. But that does not detract from the core of the movie. I won't pretend that any movie that involves racial relations in the old, post-war South will adequately cover all variations that existed. No such movie can please everyone. But if you are willing to view this movie as a legitimate slice of life for this family, you may enjoy a daughter's memories of her father and his extraordinary life. It is more than just nostalgia for "the old South". It is a story about a different time when people not only thought differently, but struggled with changing concepts of morality and equality and justice that we take for granted today.