The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe. Dir. Lachman, Harry. Prod. Foy Bryan. Perf. Darnell, Linda, and Sheppard Strudwick. Twentieth Century Fox, 1942. Film.

This black and white biopic moves through Poe’s life at a quick pace and highlights a few features especially his love life.

It starts with narration and shows Poe being adopted.  As he grows with the Osgood’s we see him writing poetry and courting his first love, Elmira.  After that goes sour we see Poe in the army and then finally settling down with Muddy and falling in love with Virginia.  There is mention of Dickens, and copyright law.  The actor, John shepperd, does a reading of The Raven.

In this movie Poe is seen as likable and optimistic.  He is constantly battling the world with a wit and determination that is common of leading actors in 1940's movies.  It is probably the most unique potrayal of Poe contained here.  He is always smiling in the movie up until Virginia’s death.