The Human Comedy

The Human Comedy is a novel by William Saroyan. Homer Macauley is a 14-year-old boy growing up fatherless in the San Joaquin Valley[?] of California during World War II. His oldest brother is off fighting the war, and Homer feels he needs to be the man of the family.

The novel was made into a film in 1943. It stars Mickey Rooney, Frank Morgan, James Craig[?], Marsha Hunt[?], Fay Bainter, Ray Collins[?], Van Johnson[?] and Donna Reed[?].

The movie was adapted by Howard Estabrook[?] and directed by Clarence Brown.

It won the Academy Award for Best Story and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Mickey Rooney), Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Director and Best Picture.