My Own True Love (1949) DVD-R

Starring Phyllis Calvert, Melvyn Douglas, Wanda Hendrix, Philip Friend,
Binnie Barnes, Alan Napier
Directed by Compton Bennett

Print: black/white
Runtime: 84 min.
Genre: drama
Print Quality: B

After supervising several of the best "psychological" horror films ever
made, producer Val Lewton shifted his base of operations from RKO to
Paramount. Lewton's first project at his new studio -- and the last -- was
My Own True Love, an uncharacteristically sentimental offering. Based on
the novel by Yolanda Foldes, the story focuses on the romantic dilemma
facing ex-POW Joan Clews (Phyllis Calvert). On the verge of marrying
middle-aged Clive Heath (Melvyn Douglas), Joan is introduced to Heath's
war-veteran son Michael (Philip Friend). Sympathizing with Michael's
wartime loss of his Malayan wife and child, Joan falls in love with him.
Unwilling to betray his own father, Michael elects to commit suicide, but
that's not quite how things turn out. My Own True Love is proof positive
that romantic melodrama was not Val Lewton's forte.