I see “Since You Went Away” as the most important American home front movie made during the war. Sort of an American “Mrs. Miniver.” It has an impressive cast and garnered a lot of Academy Award nominations. (“Going My War” was the big winner for 1944.)
“Dragon Seed” may have historical value as a reflection of the American attitude toward China, but fails as entertainment. This one is definitely not required viewing. Mrs. Homer and I gave it a try but could only take it for 32 minutes before switching to a selection from the Alfred Hitchcock television season of 1955. If you do decide to watch “Dragon Seed” stay with it at least long enough to see Katherine Hepburn playing a headstrong Chinese woman. It is ghastly, yet fascinating. All the major characters are Chinese people portrayed by Caucasian actors. Reviewer P.P.K. criticizes the varying accents they use, but it seems not to occur to anyone concerned that English-speaking Chinese actors might have been a better choice for this production. I guess the American audience wasn’t ready for that – HJS.