Paula

Loretta Young stars as the wife of University professor Kent Smith. Life seems wonderful; however Ms. Young is told, after a second miscarriage, she can never have children. Later, she is speeding home, after some event, and hits a child with her car. A truck driver (also on the road) takes the boy, and leaves the desperate woman wondering what injuries she's caused.

"Paula" begins as a seemingly routine Loretta Young drama, but keep your eye on the picture for a grabber. The story becomes very interesting as circumstances make Young a dramatic hit-and-run driver. The story builds suspense in several ways -- beginning as Young searches for the boy she hit, while the police search for Young.

Although it's a great story, the script becomes more and more sentimental -- by the end, it's so maudlin you'll want to scream (if you're not crying). Tommy Rettig is notable as the boy; in fact, he is Young's co-star. Mr. Rettig also played one of Lassie's famous owners (Jeff). Young and Rettig do well, but they would be even better after a realistic script re-write. The film has some unexpected depth, and raises some interesting crime/punishment questions; perhaps, its flaws could be addressed in a modern re-make.

***** Paula (1952) Rudolph Maté ~ Loretta Young, Tommy Rettig, Kent Smith