"My Foolish Heart", the only screen-adaptation of a J. D. Salinger work (in this case, his short story "Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut"), is a fluttery-eyed romantic melodrama, one that takes us into flashback mode not 15mns into the proceedings. Despite this, Susan Hayward is wonderful as a hard-drinking, unhappily-married housewife and mother who is driving her husband right out the door. She's reunited with her old college chum (who once dated Susan's current husband) and reminisces about her "nice girl" days in pre-World War II New York when she fell in love with a charming ne'er-do-well. The screenplay by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein is above-average-smart for these type of things, and Hayward works very smoothly with Dana Andrews, giving one of his best performances. Although Salinger wasn't happy with it, the picture isn't hokey, and director Mark Robson keeps it moving at a nice pace. Two Oscar nominations, including Hayward as Best Actress and for the catchy, torchy title song composed by Victor Young and Ned Washington. *** from ****
Review of My Foolish Heart
