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CMBA Blogathon: Come Next Spring (1956) — 17 Comments

  1. Thank you for your nice comments about my video (I'm very glad you liked it), and for providing the link. I would have tried to provide it myself, but: #1. I didn't want to seem like a spammer; #2. I'm not sure I'd know how to do it! 😉

    Thanks for sharing that funny story about how the name of Montgomery Pittman came to be emblazoned on your mind. That would have done it for me too! Efrem Zimbalist Jr. judged Pittman by his 'cover' when they first met in the Warner Brothers commissary. He thought: this frowsy, cigar-chewing frump with a hillbilly accent is writing a script for me? But when he got the script, and began working with Pittman as director, he quickly saw how wrong he was!

    And oh, may I add that I love your "then" and "now" comparison shots of the locations? Simply fascinating!

  2. Welcome, Maricatrin, and thanks for commenting. You put me in mind of how I first became aware of Monty Pittman myself. The story wasn't germane to a discussion of Come Next Spring so I didn't include it in my post, but here it is:

    In 1959 my movie-buff uncle and my 11-year-old self were watching an episode of the syndicated western series The Rough Riders when I noticed the director credit. I don't know why, but there was something that just struck me as puffed-up about the name, so I said, with elaborate sarcasm, "Ooh, look, it was directed by Montgomery Pittman!" Imagine my chagrin when my uncle gently chided me, "Actually, Montgomery Pittman is highly respected and considered one of the best writers in television." I think my ears actually burned; I was absolutely flabbergasted at the thought that anybody, let alone my own uncle, had ever heard of this Pittman guy. It was a valuable (if mortifying) lesson about never judging a book by its cover — or a talent by the name it came with.

    Needless to say, that experience burned the name of Montgomery Pittman indelibly into my memory. And like you, I suddenly started noticing it everywhere: episodes of Maverick, 77 Sunset Strip, The Twilight Zone — and, eventually, on Come Next Spring. Looking back, I realized that when my uncle said what he said, he must have had Come Next Spring in mind; he was living in the neighboring county in 1956 and attended the picture's world premiere in Jackson.

    Kudos, too, Maricatrin, on your video for Come Next Spring/"Don't Stop Lovin' Me Now"; a very nice job, and a fitting tribute to both. I urge my readers to check it out by clicking here.

  3. I'm glad to see Montgomery Pittman has some fans besides myself! I kept noticing his name on the credits of tv show episodes which were particularly good. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. gives Pittman his due in his autobiography, saying Pittman was the most talented writer who worked on 77 Sunset Strip. Pittman also wrote a hilarious episode of The Rifleman, which Sherry Jackson appeared in.

    I've seen "Come Next Spring", and it was everything you say it is. And I've just now completed a music video for the film, utilizing the Don Williams song: "Don't Stop Loving Me Now." I hope it will help interest yet more people in the film.

  4. I attended this social drama,even in the 70',the defunct TV Itacolomi(Passa Tempo in Minas Gerais/Brazil).I'm a "fan" of Sherry Jackson,and a great admiration for the actor Walter Brennan.The screenwriter Montgomery Pittman,was the stepfather Shery.

  5. Jim,
    I'm glad you chose a lesser known film. One I haven't had the pleasure of seeing.

    Just an enjoyable read from start to finish. Such interesting info you've provided on Republic then Mr. Springsteen. All this before even getting into the stars of the film then the wonderful review. You see films like no other and you give me so much insight into how a film is made from the ground up.

    Like Jeff, I do hope CNS finds it way to DVD.

    The perfect contribution to our little Blogathon.
    All the best!
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