# Bright Victory

Bright Victory is a 1951 American drama romance war film directed by Mark Robson, and starring Arthur Kennedy and Peggy Dow.

## Plot

During World War II, American sergeant Larry Nevins is blinded by a German sniper while fighting in North Africa. He is taken to a Pennsylvania hospital for other blinded soldiers, where he struggles to accept and come to terms with his disability.
Though initially despondent, Larry is taught to orient himself and walk through the grounds and in town by memorization and with use of a cane. He befriends Joe Morgan, another blinded veteran, and Judy, a local bank teller who volunteers by socializing with disabled soldiers.
One day, Larry, unaware that Joe is black, utters a racial slur, causing a rift between Larry and the others. Meanwhile, he progresses well in his recovery, passing a crucial test to see how well he can handle himself on the street. He is cleared for furlough, so Judy takes him to spend a weekend at her sister's nearby cabin, where he goes fishing and is entertained by her family.
From Judy's brother-in-law, Larry learns of a very successful blind lawyer, giving him hope for the future. After dinner, Judy reveals her love for him. Larry tells her that he needs more security and family support and already has a fiancée in his Florida hometown. Somewhat dispirited, he goes home and has a rough time dealing with the racial attitudes of his Southern parents and friends. His fiancée's family is having doubts about his fitness as a son-in-law, and his parents are downcast because of his disability.
Larry is happy to see his fiancée Chris, though he still thinks of Judy. After a bad experience at his homecoming party, he tells Chris the difficulties that they can expect with his disability, and that he wants to relocate rather than be patronized with the menial local job that her successful father has offered him. After some thought, Chris tells Larry that she does not feel strong enough to marry and move far away with him while he struggles to make a new life for both of them.
Returning to the hospital, Larry takes a side trip to Philadelphia and meets the successful blind lawyer played by Frank Wilcox. The lawyer tells him that life is difficult but worth it and that his wife was an invaluable helper to him in his career.
At the train station en route to begin a more advanced rehabilitation course, Larry is unexpectedly reunited with Judy. They joyfully declare their love.
Boarding the train, he hears Joe Morgan's name called. He catches Joe's arm, apologizes for all the hurt he has caused and asks if they can be friends; Joe accepts the apology. They board and sit together as the train pulls out of the station.

## Cast

* Arthur Kennedy as Larry Nevins
* Peggy Dow as Judy Greene
* Julie Adams as Chris Paterson (as Julia Adams)
* James Edwards as Joe Morgan
* Will Geer as Mr. Lawrence Nevins
* Nana Bryant as Mrs. Claire Nevins
* Jim Backus as Bill Grayson
* Minor Watson as Mr. Edward Paterson
* Joan Banks as Janet Grayson
* Richard Egan as Sgt. John Masterson
* John Hudson as Cpl. John Flagg
* Marjorie Crossland as Mrs. Paterson
* Donald Miele as 'Moose' Garvey
* Murray Hamilton as Pete Hamiton
* Larry Keating as Jess Coe
* Hugh Reilly as Capt. Phelan
* Mary Cooper as Nurse Bailey
* Rock Hudson as Dudek
* Ken Harvey as Joe Scanlon
* Russell Dennis as Pvt. Fred Tyler
* Philip Faversham as Lt. Atkins (as Phil Faversham)
* Robert F. Simon as Psychiatrist
* Virginia Mullen as Mrs. Coe
* Ruth Esherick as Nurse

## Awards

Bright Victory was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Arthur Kennedy) and Best Sound Recording (Leslie I. Carey). The film was also entered into the 1951 Cannes Film Festival.

## Filming locations

Part of the film was made at Valley Forge General Army Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and the town's name is mentioned in the film. Scenes were also shot in downtown Phoenixville, Kimberton, and at Broad Street Station in Philadelphia.

## Reception

Robson called it "a very good film" although he admitted "it was a disaster financially."
The Brooklyn Eagle complimented the film as "one of the year's most important pictures, from several angles. It is important first because it is a finely made, absorbing film, and second because it deals with a current problem that is everybody's concern—the blinded war veteran. But it is also terrifically important because Arthur Kennedy, the star, gives a performance in this Universal-International picture that would be outstanding in any year, and will probably hold its place among all competitors for many years to come."
R. Maurice Moss, then associate executive director of the Urban League, described the film as “"a powerful picture in every way….exceedingly well cast….It is excellent also from the standpoint of teaching how to treat those handicapped by blindness—of heart, eye, and soul."
The Los Angeles Daily News wrote: "The picture's outstanding feature is the adept performance of Arthur Kennedy as the blinded World War II veteran….'Bright Victory's' next most notable quality lies in the realistic treatment of the rehabilitation sequences….Actually, we felt that good performances by most of the cast, plus the…direction, did more to make a success out of 'Bright Victory' than the script, which belabored certain obvious problems in too stereotype a manner. An example in this connection was the love affair between Kennedy and Peggy Dow. There never was any doubt about the outcome. Every scene following their meeting seemed to telegraph the course of events. 'Bright Victory' also eases in a carefully treated side-plot about the Negro problem, which it solves easily—perhaps too easily. However, James Edwards…handles his chore with proper effect. Miss Dow…is warm and charming. She doesn't go overboard in the tear-jerking scenes and handles the straight stuff with ability."