Invitation (1952 film)

Invitation is a 1952 American romantic drama film directed by Gottfried Reinhardt and starring Van Johnson and Dorothy McGuire. The film tells the story of a wealthy young woman, Marjorie Merriweather, who is diagnosed with a terminal illness shortly after her marriage to a chemical researcher, Daniel I. Bark.

The film explores themes of love, loss, and the acceptance of fate. Marjorie, initially devastated by her diagnosis, learns to embrace life and find happiness in her remaining time with Daniel. Daniel, in turn, struggles to cope with the impending loss of his wife and dedicates himself to making her final days as comfortable and fulfilling as possible.

The supporting cast includes Ruth Roman, Louis Calhern, and Ray Collins. The film's screenplay was written by Paul Osborn and was based on a story by Jerome Weidman. Invitation was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, but is now considered a minor classic of the melodrama genre, praised for its performances and its sensitive handling of a difficult subject.