Links and resources for the 7 movies in the Tear Jerkers series I’m giving at DEAR on Tuesdays at noon, starting on January 13, 2026, and then continuing on selected Tuesdays through April 14.
Random Harvest (1942)
- Retrospective Review – From British journalist Meg Walters, this 2022 “Defense of a Forgotten Classic” from the Literary Hub website is a thoughtful and insightful reconsideration of the film from a current perspective. It has spoilers, so wait until you see the film first.
- Discovering Miss Susan – Library of Congress blog post on Susan Peters’s remarkable 1951 daytime TV series, Miss Susan, where she starred as a wheelchair-bound attorney. Following the 1945 hunting accident that left Peters paralyzed from the waist down, she portrayed a disabled woman as a strong, independent, competent professional. Very much ahead of its time.
Now, Voyager (1942)
- Blog Post – From The Blonde at the Film website, which is maintained by Cameron. From 2014, it’s a lengthy but well researched discussion that provides a thoughtful feminist perspective.
Brief Encounter (1945)
- Guardian Retrospective – From 2025, includes great pictures and story of the production.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
- Diary of a Sergeant (1945) – Documentary short film from the Army Pictorial Services focusing on Harold Russell’s rehabilitation after losing his hands. William Wyler cast Russell as Homer after viewing this film.
- Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1943) – William Wyler’s extraordinary documentary of the 25th and final mission of this famous B-17.
Portrait of Jennie (1948)
- NYC in Film page – Amazing page devoted to finding the New York City locations of 30+ shots from the film and showing them with then-and-now animated gifs that cycle from the movie shot to a current photo. See video below.
- 7-Minute Video – Stitches together fades between brief video shots from the movie and current photos of the same location. Masterfully done!
Al Biles 