A Farewell to Arms - 1932

Some references list the play by Laurence Stallings as an uncredited source for the movie. It opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 22 September 1930 and had 24 performances. The opening night cast included Glenn Anders, Joe Downing, Jack La Rue (also in the film) and Elissa Landi.

Censorship problems arose from early versions of the script, which included phases of Catherine's actual childbirth and references to labor pains, gas, her groaning and hemorrhaging.

After these were removed, the MPPDA approved the script, and even issued a certificate for re-release in 1938 when the censorship rules were more strictly enforced. Still, the film was rejected in British Columbia and in Australia, where Hemingway's book was also banned.

Tom Ricketts (as Count Greffi) is supposed to be in this film but was not seen.

Though in the novel the character of Catherine Barkley is described as very tall, actress Helen Hayes is a mere five feet tall.

To the modern discerning eye, the use of miniatures is apparent in some scenes. If one looks very closely at the first scene, ambulance trucks driving up a winding mountain road will be noted to be well crafted miniatures.

Remade with Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones, A Farewell to Arms (1957) and as a TV miniseries with George Hamilton and Vanessa Redgrave, "A Farewell to Arms" (1966).

>>> WARNING: Here Be Spoilers <<<

Trivia items below here contain information that may give away important plot points. You may not want to read any further if you've not already seen this title.

SPOILER: Cinema managers were offered the film with two endings, one happy and one sad. When Ernest Hemingway got wind of this tactic, he was furious so cinemas in the larger cities, where the mainly pro-Hemingway critics were based, were provided only with the downbeat ending, in accordance with the way the novel ended.

Cast of A Farewell To Arms

Helen Hayes - Catherine Barkley
Gary Cooper - Lt Frederic Henry
Adolphe Menjou - Rinaldi
Mary Philips
Jack LaRue - The Priest
Blanche Frederici
Henry Armetta
George Humbert
Fred Malatesta
Mary Forbes
Tom Ricketts
Robert Cauterio
Gilbert Emery