The Next Voice You Hear... (1950) Reviews

• a minor cult classic

  blanche-22007-04-23

  God's voice is "The Next Voice You Hear," in a 1950 film starring James Whitmore, Nancy Davis, Gary Gray, and Tom D'Andrea. I saw this movie many, many years ago, and have read of it in recent years due in large part to the presence of our future First Lady. Nancy Davis was an attractive woman and a good actress - I'm certain she could be quite pretty and glamorous as in real life, but the film world cast her differently. Here she's very plain looking, with a pretty smile, and is supposed to have a baby due any second. In true Hollywood form, she looks like she's maybe three months along. The story concerns that typical '50s family we saw on TV and read about though probably didn't live in - mom, dad, and a cute kid - who have different reactions when God starts speaking on the radio at 8:30 every evening. The Whitmore character seems to embrace its true spirit - let go and live - while his aunt's belief is fear-based, and his wife and child become frightened. This is a lovely, simple story that some people will find very comforting and others will think is an annoying, preachy bore. I thought the acting somewhat lifted it. James Whitmore was the new Spencer Tracy but never rose above character roles; instead, even now, he enjoys a wonderful stage career. Here he's a man who gets hot and bothered over life's annoyances, hates his boss, but gradually learns a lesson about God's true message. The other performances are good, and the little boy is too cute for words. Always nice to see "Gillis" from "The Life of Riley," Tom D'Andrea, in a role. This movie isn't for everyone, but if you have a spiritual leaning, you'll like it.

• A strange, thought provoking fantasy tale.

  bux1998-10-31

  This is an unusual picture. The idea of God speaking to the whole world over the radio, is sure to provoke conversation. Whitmore is great(as always!)as the average 'joe', just too busy to stop and consider what he is really doing in his life/with his family and friends. Considering this one was made during the height of the cold-war, I'm sure it reflects the fears and anxieties of the times. Know what? It's just as timely now.

• Did He Sound Like Lionel Barrymore?

  utgard142013-12-18

  Wow how did I ever miss this one? As many old movies as I've seen and still I find ones that surprise me. This is a very interesting film about a voice coming on the radio nightly saying it is the voice of God. Although the voice is heard by everybody, the movie centers on one family in particular, the Smiths. In the midst of the voice drama, Mary Smith (Nancy Davis) is pregnant and there's some concern about whether she will be able to deliver safely. This and some lesser issues the family has adds to the authenticity of these characters. A story like this could easily slip into Corn City, but thankfully it's well-written. The family are played by good actors who make the characters seem like real people and not some of the more unfortunate cardboard stereotypes that would dominate 1950s portrayals of white suburban families. James Whitmore and Nancy Davis give two of the finest performances of their careers. The actor playing their son, Gary Gray, is excellent as well. The supporting players were solid also. We never hear the voice of God. It's written in such a way they manage to skillfully avoid that. Very clever, I think. They relay what the voice said through others. It's also a seemingly non-denominational God, so if you're worried about a faith you don't believe in forcing their beliefs on you...relax. Although it could be argued it's a Judeo-Christian God, there's nothing preachy about it. I've read some complaints about the ending. Without giving too much away, I'll try to address this. The complaints seem to be that the movie sets up a premise that deserves a big payoff. I feel like these reviewers missed the point. The payoff, in my opinion, was appropriate and meaningful: that miracles happen everyday and we should learn to appreciate them. This is a great film with a simple but thoughtful message. A good cast, a veteran director, and intelligent writing. A true underrated gem that everyone should see.

• Very important and much better than people have ever realized

  zetes2003-09-01

  An intriguing, understated, and remarkable picture. It focuses on a super-typical American family of the 1950s, the Smiths, husband (James Whitmore), wife (Nancy Davis, later Reagan), son (Gary Gray), and expected child. One night, precisely at 8:30, a strange voice on the radio announces that he is God. For the next several nights, he speaks on the radio at the same time. The entire world, except for those behind the Iron Curtain, hears these messages and begins to listen each night, frightened that divine punishment, or perhaps Judgement Day might be near. The Smiths are as afraid as anyone else. They all fear for Mary, the mother, who is nine months pregnant, may die in childbirth. Her mother and her sister both died when giving birth to their second children, and God has just claimed on the radio that he will demonstrate his miraculous powers. That's the big problem, and then Joseph, the husband, has many smaller problems. He's stuck in a dead end job, he hates his boss, a particular motorcycle cop seems to have it in for him, and the starter on his car doesn't work. They're all little things, but together, especially when the voice agitates him further, he's not sure he can make it. There is a lot to love about this movie. Although the Smiths are such a symbolic family in that they represent the ideal American family (I would like to suggest ignoring the fact that the husband and wife are named Joseph and Mary and that Mary's pregnant, because, as far as I see, not much is done with that particular symbolism), they feel so real and individual. They aren't perfect; they have weaknesses and fights. But they have such a touching family relationship. I love the way Joe strokes his wife's cheek each morning to wake her up. When Joe's car won't work in the morning, little Johnny imitates his exact routine for his mother's amusement at the breakfast table. The greatest power in the universe may be the force that's driving the plot, but this is a movie that realizes that the little moments of life are what count best, and few films have shown a better knowledge of that. As I was watching The Next Voice You Hear, the film it reminded me of most was The Day the Earth Stood Still. The plot is nearly identical, but The Next Voice You Hear is so much more gentle. Klaatu, in Day, threatens to destroy humanity if they don't cooperate. Luckily, God's much more understanding. Of course, those countries of Eastern Europe who are under the thumb of the USSR never hear God's voice, even though communist China doesn't miss out (or am I wrong about my history?). It was the Cold War that sparked The Day the Earth Stood Still. Besides one solitary comment early in the film, there is no mention of the Soviet Union or communism. Yet it still pervades any possible interpretation of the film. If God wants to deliver a message to the world, one would think that he wouldn't skip over anyone. Even atheists in the US hear it. And one would expect a writer from the United States to want those who were perceived as a threat to hear God's message. This little conundrum is quite maddening, and there's no good solution to it. I would call it a major flaw (even though, like I said, it takes up merely a second of film), but it allows room for interpretation. That is, I'm not disappointed in that fact, only intrigued. The Next Voice You Hear is a profoundly Christian film, and one of the best, I'd say. It's message is overwhelmingly positive, and it's not really that didactic. There are a lot of points to be thought over after the film is done. This would be an ideal film for anyone to show at Sunday School or something like that. It's really one of the most fascinating films I've ever seen. Really, I haven't even broken the surface here, and I didn't discuss any of its artistry (of which there is a lot). See this movie, please. 10/10.

• Americana: 1950

  ccthemovieman-12005-12-01

  This is an amazing piece of 1950 Americana with a nice father, nice mother, nice son, nice people who believe in God and care about having decent morals - a far cry from films in the past 40 years. The story, acting and photography is okay but nothing exceptional. Today, it would bore 95 percent of the viewing audience. The main appeal is simply its homage to an innocent age (if there ever was one!). This was my first look, when I first saw this VHS about 15 years ago, at Nancy Davis, who became Nancy Reagan. I was surprised to see how plain her looks were. She didn't look as pretty and elegant as she did as an older woman, as the First Lady.....but that has nothing to do with this film, so bear with my senility. The story, without spoiling it, is simply about people who hear God talking through the radio to them, trying to get them to think about things. Theology- wise, the movie is pretty vague and general, not wanting to offend anyone but it still had a good message. This is almost a curiosity piece.