Smilin' Through (1941): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1941, Smilin' Through is a fantasy, war, romance and music film directed by Frank Borzage, running about 100 minutes. “The Musical Triumph In Technicolor” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. John Carteret has long been depressed and lonely, because, at his wedding years ago, his bride, Moonyean, was murdered. He accepts into his house Kathleen, the 5 year old orphaned niece of Moonyean, and she quickly grows up to look just like her aunt. Kathleen meets and falls in love with a mysterious stranger from America, Kenneth Wayne. When John hears of this he is furious, and we learn that it was Kenneth's father, Jeremy, who had killed Moonyean years before. John carries his grudge against Jeremy to the new generation, and threatens to ruin his niece's happiness, but he softens in the end.

Who’s in it. Smilin' Through stars Jeanette MacDonald as Kathleen / Moonyean Clare, Brian Aherne as Sir John Carteret, Gene Raymond as Kenneth 'Ken' Wayne / Jeremy 'Jerry' Wayne and Ian Hunter as Reverend Owen Harding, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Smilin' Through has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Smilin' Through page.

If you liked it. Fans of Smilin' Through tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.