Three Came Home

''Three Came Home'' is a 1950 American post-war film directed by Jean Negulesco, based on the memoirs of the same name by writer Agnes Newton Keith. It depicts Keith's life in North Borneo in the period immediately before the Japanese invasion in 1942, and her subsequent internment and suffering, separated from her husband Harry, and with a young son to care for. Keith was initially interned at Berhala Island near Sandakan, North Borneo (today's Sabah) but spent most of her captivity at Batu Lintang camp at Kuching, Sarawak. The camp was liberated in September 1945.

Adapted and produced by Nunnally Johnson, the film stars Claudette Colbert. It is now in the public domain and so is available to watch in its entirety online at no charge.

Plot

American-born Agnes Keith and her British husband Harry Keith live a comfortable colonial life in North Borneo with their young son George in the 1930s. Keith is the only American in Sandakan.

Borneo was strategically important to Japan as it is located on the main sea routes between Java, Sumatra, Malaya and Celebes. Control of these routes was vital to securing the territory. Japan needed an assured supply, particularly of oil, in order to achieve its long-term goal of becoming the major power in the Pacific region.

Worried about the rumours surrounding Japanese invasion in 1941, Harry suggests that Agnes move back to the United States along with George. Agnes refuses and she and George remain.

The Imperial Japanese Army invade Borneo and intern the small British community in a camp on Pulau Berhala (Berhala Island) off Sandakan. Later they are sent to the notorious Batu Lintang camp near Kuching, Sarawak, where the men and women are separated.

During the Japanese invasion of Sandakan, Agnes has a miscarriage.

These camps are under the charge of Colonel Suga. Col. Suga is fluent in English and has read a book on Borneo written by Mrs. Keith. He treats Agnes well.

When Col. Suga visits Agnes at Batu Lintang camp and asks her to autograph a copy of her book as she had agreed to back in the earlier camp, Agnes signs the book with a personal message.

The camp guards are cruel and oppressive, as seen when they shoot down a group of Australian men who try to cross the wire fencing during a bit of flirtation with the women.

One night a Japanese guard attacks Agnes in an attempted rape when she runs outside in the night to bring in the washing being blown around in the strong winds. Later she complains to Col. Suga, who asks Lieutenant Nekata to investigate. Unfortunately Agnes is not able to identify her assailant as it was too dark. Nekata insists she identify the assailant by presenting her with a written statement for her to sign. She refuses to do so as she is aware that to make an unsubstantiated accusation against any Japanese soldier is punishable by death. In an effort to get her to sign the statement while Col. Suga is away she is tortured by Nekata's junior officers (after he has left the room, to avoid being a witness to the beating) and threatened with further torture if she says anything to anyone. In great pain she tries to keep her injuries from her fellow captives. Eventually she agrees to withdraw her allegation.

In September 1945 Japan surrenders and Agnes learns from Col. Suga that all his family was killed at the end of the war. They used to live in Tokyo but his wife was so fearful that they moved to Hiroshima where she thought they would be safer. Col. Suga sees George and two other children eating from a paint can, and he invites them into his house, where he serves them a feast and then breaks down crying.

At the end, Allied troops arrive at the camp abandoned by the Japanese and the Keith family finally reunites.

Cast

* Claudette Colbert as Agnes Newton Keith
* Patric Knowles as Harry Keith
* Florence Desmond as Betty Sommers
* Sessue Hayakawa as Colonel Suga
* Sylvia Andrew as Henrietta
* Mark Keuning as George Keith
* Phyllis Morris as Sister Rose
* Howard Chuman as Lieutenant Nekata
* Jerry Fujikawa as Japanese Soldier (uncredited)
* Douglas Walton as Australian POW (uncredited)

The women prisoners were portrayed by Drue Mallory, Carol Savage, Virginia Kelley, Mimi Heyworth and Helen Westcott.

Production

In March 1949, ''Showmen's Trade Review'' reported that Negulesco's contract with 20th Century Fox had been extended for one year and that he would direct the film. Olivia de Havilland was being considered for the lead role. Nunnally Johnson wrote the screenplay and produced the film. Milton R. Krasner provided cinematography for the film. Musical score was composed by Hugo Friedhofer. Lionel Newman was the film's music director. Editing was done by Dorothy Spencer. Florence Desmond was filming in Las Vegas when the production company asked her to audition for her role. This was her first co-starring with Colbert. Alan Marshal was cast in April 1949. Kermit Whitfield made his acting debut in the role of a lieutenant commander. Shooting started on May 4, 1949 and finished on June 26. A second unit filmed locations in Borneo for four weeks. After principal photography was complete, Colbert told Negulesco "You know I'm not given to exaggeration so I hope you believe me when I say that working with you has been the most stimulating and happiest experience of my entire career." She had broken her back while shooting for one of the violent scenes. However, during the final editing process, this particular scene was removed. Another scene, showing Colbert's character conversing with a Japanese prison guard was also excised. This was the first American film in which Hayakawa spoke his native Japanese language. While filming for the concentration camp scenes, Colbert did not apply any makeup. For the scenes which involved her crossing a barbed wire, she wore leather panties for her protection. She also had to do dieting along with rest of the cast for being thinner.

20th Century Fox gave the film in a package of 8 to exhibitors, who had the right to cancel out the films not shown. Child psychologist and domestic guidance counselor Peter Blos was hired by the studio to help advertise the film. Under him, an advertisement was designed in such a manner so as to promote the "family" element in the film's story. This advertisement featured in selected publications having a circulation above 30 million. The National Legion of Decency rated the film A II. An alternate title for the film in France was ''Captives à Bornéo''. Response to the previews were positive. Colbert did not attend the premiere due to her injury. A free screening of the film was organized by Illini Union Student Activities during the Union Movie Week in February 1953. Seven Arts Associated included the film in Volume 8 of "Films of the 50s" in 1963. After the film's release, Fox Studios listed the set for sale at US$35,000. This also included a rubber plantation.

Box Office

The film was popular at the British box office. According to ''Kinematograph Weekly'' the "biggest winners" at the box office in 1950 Britain were ''The Blue Lamp'', '' The Happiest Days of Your Life'', '' Annie Get Your Gun'', ''The Wooden Horse'', ''Treasure Island'' and '' Odette'', with "runners up" being ''Stage Fright'', ''White Heat'', ''They Were Not Divided'', '' Trio'', ''Morning Departure

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