Based on an autobiography by Louise Randall Pierson, "Roughly Speaking" is a wonderful story about life and love, success and failure, adventure and risk, faith and family, sacrifice and perseverance. It's also the story of a determined woman who will work hard, take chances, fight for her own and love – all with great intensity.
Pierson wrote the book of her story in 1943, and this movie was made in 1945. The story is mostly in the first four decades of the 20th century. Rosalind Russell plays Pierson perfectly. Donald Woods plays her first husband, Rodney Crane. They have four children in quick succession – Barbara, born Jan. 16, 1913; John, born Dec. 30, 1913; Rodney Jr., born May 21, 1915; and Louise Jr., born Nov. 22, 1916. Rodney falls for a younger woman through his work and he and Louse divorce.
A year later she meets Harold Pierson, played by Jack Carson. He is a perfect match for this headstrong but committed woman. They marry and have one more child together – Frank, born May 12, 1925. This is an excellent performance by Carson. Through many ups and downs, they find deep love for one another, and raise a close-knit family. The various supporting roles are very well done. The film ends with Harold and Louise seeing their three sons off to war in 1942.
I don't know how the life story of Louise and Harold Pierson ended. I can imagine that it had a happy and upbeat ending. One of their children, Frank, became a journalist for Time and Life magazines and then a scriptwriter for movies and TV. He then directed movies and produced TV programs. He wrote for several notable TV programs and movies, including "Cat Ballou" and "Cool Hand Luke." He won an Oscar for "Dog Day Afternoon." He served as president of the Writers Guild of America and was president (2001 to 2005) of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). He died in 2012 at age 87.
Pierson wrote the book of her story in 1943, and this movie was made in 1945. The story is mostly in the first four decades of the 20th century. Rosalind Russell plays Pierson perfectly. Donald Woods plays her first husband, Rodney Crane. They have four children in quick succession – Barbara, born Jan. 16, 1913; John, born Dec. 30, 1913; Rodney Jr., born May 21, 1915; and Louise Jr., born Nov. 22, 1916. Rodney falls for a younger woman through his work and he and Louse divorce.
A year later she meets Harold Pierson, played by Jack Carson. He is a perfect match for this headstrong but committed woman. They marry and have one more child together – Frank, born May 12, 1925. This is an excellent performance by Carson. Through many ups and downs, they find deep love for one another, and raise a close-knit family. The various supporting roles are very well done. The film ends with Harold and Louise seeing their three sons off to war in 1942.
I don't know how the life story of Louise and Harold Pierson ended. I can imagine that it had a happy and upbeat ending. One of their children, Frank, became a journalist for Time and Life magazines and then a scriptwriter for movies and TV. He then directed movies and produced TV programs. He wrote for several notable TV programs and movies, including "Cat Ballou" and "Cool Hand Luke." He won an Oscar for "Dog Day Afternoon." He served as president of the Writers Guild of America and was president (2001 to 2005) of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). He died in 2012 at age 87.