Random Harvest
A veteran of World War I marries and settles happily into a tidy, humble life until an accident brings back memories of a former life of wealth and privilege while blocking all recollection of his existence since the war. Thus one man disappears, and another man long missing turns up and claims his vast inheritance. What does his devoted wife, whom he no longer recognizes, do?
Despite its limited budget of $1.2M, Random Harvest became a box office phenomenon, earning $8.1M worldwide—a remarkable 573% return. The film's innovative storytelling engaged audiences, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 7 Oscars. 3 wins & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Random Harvest (1942) reveals deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Mervyn LeRoy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 5 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Charles Rainier / John Smith
Paula Ridgeway / Margaret Hanson
Dr. Jonathan Benet
Kitty Chilcet
Jill Rainier
Main Cast & Characters
Charles Rainier / John Smith
Played by Ronald Colman
An amnesiac WWI veteran who builds two separate lives, unaware they are connected. As "Smithy" he finds love and peace, as Charles Rainier he becomes a wealthy industrialist.
Paula Ridgeway / Margaret Hanson
Played by Greer Garson
A music hall performer who falls in love with and marries the amnesiac Smithy, then later becomes his secretary when he doesn't remember her. Patient, devoted, and selfless in her love.
Dr. Jonathan Benet
Played by Philip Dorn
Charles Rainier's personal physician and trusted advisor who understands the medical complexities of his amnesia and supports him throughout his struggles.
Kitty Chilcet
Played by Susan Peters
Charles Rainier's fiancée from his wealthy social circle, representing the upper-class life he returns to after losing his memory of Paula.
Jill Rainier
Played by Rhys Williams
Charles's kind and understanding step-sister who cares about his wellbeing and observes his relationship struggles.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Charles Rainier (John Smith), an amnesiac shell-shocked WWI veteran, wanders the grounds of Melbridge County Asylum on Armistice Day, lost and disconnected from his past identity.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when During Armistice Day celebrations, Smithy escapes the asylum in the confusion, wandering into the nearby town of Melbridge, disoriented and vulnerable.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Smithy decides to abandon searching for his past identity and commits to building a new life with Paula. They marry and move to a cottage in the countryside, where he becomes a writer., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 48% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Smithy travels to Liverpool for a publishing meeting. Struck by a taxi, the head injury triggers his original memories to return—but erases everything from the past three years, including Paula and their son., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Charles's fiancée breaks their engagement, recognizing he doesn't truly love her. He proposes marriage to his secretary Margaret (Paula), but for convenience and companionship—not love. Paula accepts this loveless arrangement, her dream of him remembering seemingly dead., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 101 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Dr. Sims reveals to Paula that Charles has been searching for "someone" from his lost years, sensing something missing. Paula realizes he may be on the verge of remembering and decides to take him back to the cottage where they lived., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Random Harvest's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Random Harvest against these established plot points, we can identify how Mervyn LeRoy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Random Harvest within the drama genre.
Mervyn LeRoy's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Mervyn LeRoy films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.4, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Random Harvest takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mervyn LeRoy filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Mervyn LeRoy analyses, see Gypsy, Quo Vadis and Little Women.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Charles Rainier (John Smith), an amnesiac shell-shocked WWI veteran, wanders the grounds of Melbridge County Asylum on Armistice Day, lost and disconnected from his past identity.
Theme
Dr. Sims tells another doctor that some memories are "locked away" and may never return, establishing the theme: identity and love transcend memory, but what we forget can destroy what we cherish most.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Charles/Smithy's condition at the asylum, his fragile mental state, the celebratory chaos of Armistice Day, and the asylum's inadequate security during the festivities.
Disruption
During Armistice Day celebrations, Smithy escapes the asylum in the confusion, wandering into the nearby town of Melbridge, disoriented and vulnerable.
Resistance
Paula Ridgeway, a music hall performer, discovers the confused Smithy and takes him under her care. She helps him avoid recapture, finds him lodging, and encourages him to build a new life despite his lost past.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Smithy decides to abandon searching for his past identity and commits to building a new life with Paula. They marry and move to a cottage in the countryside, where he becomes a writer.
Mirror World
Paula and Smithy's idyllic life in their rural cottage is shown in montage—their simple happiness, his writing success, the birth of their son—representing the pure love and identity found without memory.
Premise
The promise of the premise: a man with no past builds a perfect life through love alone. Smithy and Paula live in blissful domesticity, his writing career flourishes, and they raise their young son in rural tranquility.
Midpoint
Smithy travels to Liverpool for a publishing meeting. Struck by a taxi, the head injury triggers his original memories to return—but erases everything from the past three years, including Paula and their son.
Opposition
Now Charles Rainier, wealthy industrialist, he returns to his former life with no memory of Paula. She finds him but he doesn't recognize her. Paula becomes his secretary "Margaret" to stay close, hoping he'll remember, while he becomes engaged to another woman.
Collapse
Charles's fiancée breaks their engagement, recognizing he doesn't truly love her. He proposes marriage to his secretary Margaret (Paula), but for convenience and companionship—not love. Paula accepts this loveless arrangement, her dream of him remembering seemingly dead.
Crisis
Paula lives in an emotional prison of their hollow marriage. Charles remains devoted to business and public service, kind but emotionally distant. She contemplates leaving but stays, hoping against hope that something will trigger his memory.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dr. Sims reveals to Paula that Charles has been searching for "someone" from his lost years, sensing something missing. Paula realizes he may be on the verge of remembering and decides to take him back to the cottage where they lived.
Synthesis
Paula brings Charles to their cottage, now abandoned and overgrown. She reveals the truth of their past life together. The familiar surroundings begin to stir something deep within him as he pieces together the lost years.
Transformation
In the cottage, Charles's memories flood back completely. He remembers Paula, their love, their son, everything. "Paula!" he cries, recognizing her fully for the first time in years. They embrace, whole again, identity restored through love.