Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol 7, No. 2 April 13, 1944

"Back from Darkest Amnesia"

"Back from Darkest Amnesia"

To those stern critics who allowed "Mr. Chips" no plaudits, "Random Harvest" would appear both sentimental and overdrawn. The plot is perhaps a little fantastic. A man has lost three years of his life. He must find them again, for In them he is married to Miss Garson. By a series of fortuitous circumstances the story is brought to its close. And How! Very idyllic when a married couple subsists (in a very pretty little cottage) on minus nothing a week. Not that it was bad technically. Some of the photography, particularly in the opening scenes, reminded me a little of Orson Welles. I was struck by the sound effects. There was nothing extraneous about them. They belonged to the plot. And the acting was of the best." Both Colman and Garson played their parts well, even if one did get a little tired of the latter's efforts to recall her husband's past to him. (Perhaps she did this once too often. It seemed to drag in the middle.) These qualities alone would combine to give this picture good entertainment value. But the whole thing was rather too sentimental to be greater pleasant, plausible fairy tale, which you will enjoy; with much dramatic appeal, but no depth.