A FAREWELL TO ARMS
A Farewell to Arms is a 1932 American pre-Code romance drama film that tells the story of what happens when an American ambulance driver (Gary Cooper) and an English nurse (Helen Hayes) fall in love in Italy amid the strife and chaos of World War I. But make no mistake, despite the setting of a war torn land, this is a love story, not a war tale.
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY
A Farewell To Arms was first released 08 December 1932. That means that, on it's anniversary in 2017, this film is a whopping eighty-five (85) years old! For the math enthusiasts out there, that means that this movie will have been entertaining us all for a staggering thirty-one thousand and forty-six (31,046) days! That is an impressive track record by anyone's standard. So, if you are a writer or a filmmaker, keep this goal in mind as you create your art and bring us something great like this.
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DETAILS
Genre: Romance, Drama.
Director: Frank Borzage
Writer: Ernest Hemingway (novel), Benjamin Glazer (screenplay), and Oliver H.P. Garrett (screenplay)
Music: Milan Roder
Cinematography: Charles Lang (for which he won the Academy Award 1932/33).
Release Date: December 8, 1932 (United States)
Studio / Distributed By: Paramount Pictures Warner Bros. (1949 re-release)
Running Time: 85 minutes
USE OF MINIATURES
Those of you with a sharp eye and paying close attention might notice the use of well crafted miniatures in this movie. I won't spoil it by telling you exactly where they are and how they are used but, if you really want to know, use the comments section below or go to our Contact page or even our facebook page and ask.
THE TRAILER
BFITrailers from Yotube generously shared the above trailer for the 1932 interpretation of Hemingway's classic A Farewell To Arms. It seems as though they have moved there channel to a new address so, if you want to check them out CLICK HERE.
A Farewell To Arms Quiz
THE QUIZ QUESTION
Time to test your movie trivia knowledge. Did you know that Gary Cooper was not the first actor picked to play the leading role of Lt. Frederic Henry in A Farewell To Arms?
Another actor was originally set to play the part until he found out that the original director, John Cromwell, had been replaced by Frank Borzage.
Upon finding this out the original actor then refused to continue with the project and turned down the role. When he did, the part was then given to Gary Cooper.
That brings us to the quiz question
Who was the actor originally picked to play Gary Cooper's part?
Use the form to the right to submit your answer and find out immediately if you are right.
Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper and Earnest Hemingway, the famous, American author who's book of the same title was the basis for this movie, became lifelong friends. In fact, Hemingway thought so much of Cooper that he insisted Cooper be cast as the lead actor for the film adaptation of another one of Hemingway's books, For Whom The Bell Tolls. Gary Cooper was indeed cast as Robert Jordan in the picture which was released in 1943, eleven years after this movie. Interestingly, both Hemingway and Cooper made a point of never discussing A Farewell To Arms. with each other. Read below to find out why.
THE BOOK
A Farewell To Arms by famed author Ernest Hemingway was published in 1929 and has been so favored that is has been adapted for the stage, for television and for the silver screen.
The novel was based on Hemingway's own experiences and, like the impressive writer, Rudyard Kipling, who also wrote from his own life, this book has the indisputable ring of truth to it.
While serving in the Italian campaigns during the First World War, Hemingway met a nurse who was to become the inspiration for Catherine Barkley. That nurses name was Agnes von Kurowsky (see photo below). Agnes cared for the wounded Hemingway in a hospital in Milan and he became quite smitten with her. So smitten in fact that he planned to marry her.
Sadly it was a love not meant to be and Agnes spurned his love when Ernest returned to America.
The Audio Book Version
Monte Macareno has also made an audio reading of this book available for free on their youtube channel. You can LISTEN TO THE BOOK HERE.
Pictured here is Agnes von Kurowsky, the nurse who was Hemingway's caregiver while he was wounded. She became the object of his desire but the marriage that the author so desired was not to be theirs.
In a letter dated March 7, 1919, Agnes sent the poor young suitor (Hemingway was just nineteen at the time) Agnes delivered the the 'dear John' news that she had become engaged to an Italian officer. Ernest must have been crushed. Agnes did eventually return to the United States but her and her would be husband never met again.
She married twice but not to the Italian Officer. She died in Gulfport, Florida on November 25, 1984, at the age of 92.
Have You Read The Book?
Ernest Hemingway is widely considered one of the best writers ever to scribble words down on paper and it shows when you read his stories. If you want to read A Farewell To Arms in the author's own words, as he intended for you to experience them, then you can BUY THE BOOK here.
Ernest Hemingway On A Farewell To Arms
Hemingway was not a fan of this interpretation of his book, in fact, he hated it. In his opinion, it was overly romantic. These two taglines for the film might have helped form his opinion.
Let's love tonight," they said, "There may be no tomorrow!"
and
"Every woman who has loved will understand."
It is worth remembering that this book was a semi-autobiographical work, based on Hemingway's own experiences of having served in the Italian Campaigns during the First World War. With a team of someone else's re-working such a personal piece of his own history then it is no wonder that Hemingway may have felt a little protective of it.
BUY THE FAREWELL TO ARMS DVD
Treat yourself and grow your movie library by adding A Farewell To Arms to your collection. Just CLICK on the picture of the DVD (left) and buy it. Or Use the button below.
BONUS! It's a DOUBLE FEATURE, two DVDs. The bonus movie is Meet John Doe.
MORE COMING!
This dedication page is still under development with much more content being added. Check back soon for more interesting news and information about this movie, it's stars and it's creators.
THE A FAREWELL TO ARMS RADIO SHOWS
THE RADIO SHOW, February 17, 1948
The good people over at Old Time Radio Downloads are happily sharing a copy of the A Farewell To Arms radio show broadcast from all the way back on it's original air-date of 17th February, 1948.
Gather the family and lend an ear to this wonderful show. TO LISTEN, CLICK HERE.
THE RADIO SHOW, August 6, 1948
A Farewell to Arms on NBC University Theater, August 6, 1948. Once again shared by the good folks at Old Time Radio Downloads where they have a lot more for you to enjoy. Get over there and check them out.
They list this particular radio play as "A Farewell To Arms". A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway stars John Lund as Fred Henry and Lurene Tuttle as Catherine. The First World War changed boundaries over all Europe and left the dead strewn across the continent from the fields of Belgium to the lesser-known fronts to the north in the mountains of Italy. Against the mud and dirt of the Italian front in the First World War Ernest Hemingway has told a story of a love that overcame the dirt and misery of battle. TO LISTEN, CLICK HERE.
THE RADIO SHOWS by Dr. MACRO
These recordings of the various presentations generously supplied by Dr. macro, a real movie fan. He's got lots of grand stuff to enjoy so check him out.
Monday, April 5th, 1937, Hollywood California, the Lux Radio Theater show featuring Josephine Hutchinson, Jack La Rue, Clark Gable. Play length 59:00. LISTEN HERE.
4th October, 1944 The Screen Guild Players, Show length 28:58. LISTEN NOW.
24 June, 1949, The Ford Theater presentation of Helen Hayes in A Farewell to Arms. Playing time of 56:53. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW.
WHAT DO YOU THINK
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