CinemaSerf

Told through the eyes of "Mary" (Susan Hayward), this is the story of a newlywed Methodist pastor's wife who moves with her husband "William" (William Lundigan) to a new, rural, community. His job is to tend his flock - willing or otherwise, her's is to support him - and arguably a much more difficult task a that. Simultaneously, this happy couple are trying to start a family. She is not from the toughest of stock, and the sacrifices and adjustments she is required to make really do test her mettle. When tragedy ensues both she and her spouse have to make some very difficult choices, but will their new friends rally round? Hayward always was better at these more characterful, meatier, parts - and here she is on good form. She does elicit sympathy not just on a personal level, but when you look at the bloody-mindedness of some of his congregation, especially "Salter" (Alexander Knox) then you can do little but empathise with her frustrations. By way of a balance to the plot, there is a slightly comedic sub-plot with "Jenny" (Barbara Bates) who's caught up in a little love triangle of her own. That's really only good for the opportunity for an underused Gene Lockhart to put in a few enjoyable appearances with Rory Calhoun ("Jack"). It's quite a quickly paced affair and it manages to avoid descent into melodrama quite well, too, thankfully. After three years, they must move on. Have they made a difference?