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Headlined by Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, William Wyler's Mrs Miniver, written by Arthur Wimperis, George Froeschel, James Hilton and Claudine West, from the novel by Jan Struther, premieres in New York. Set in 1939-40 in a small village outside of London, the film quietly, movingly chronicles the life-altering compromises and sacrifices forced upon a well-to-do English family as the war and its attendant deprivations inevitably wends its way into their lives. Capped by a local vicar's rousing "why we fight" sermon, the film is an enormous hit, winning Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Garson) Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright), Best Sctreenplay and Best Black & White Cinematography (Joseph Ruttenberg). In 1950, both Garson and Pidgeon reprise their roles in The Miniver Story, an ill-conceived, poorly received sequel.
