Hi there.

Very interesting observation! and responding more so to the great Fredric March than to this particular film (because I had just been mentally comparing his performances in "One Foot in Heaven" to "Another Part of the Forest" - something like 1941 to 1948 or 49).

Anyway, in "...Forest" (a prequel to "Little Foxes"), I kept waiting for March to appear on screen even though, there he was, as father to the characters portrayed by Ann Blythe, Dan Duryea and Edmond O'Brien. And then suddenly realize, Oh, that really is Fredric March as the family patriarch.

This really goes to show how great March can act, by playing a senior character even though he and Miss Scott endure a couple of decades worth of age progression back in "...Heaven."

Or maybe, sadly, but truly, he actually does age during the 1940's. In "Best Years...," his character endures overseas' military service during the Big War, so he's going to need to appear somewhat less youthful than his 1930's roles although anyone can clearly see why Myrna remains crazy about Fredric.

Age statistics also account for untimely passings, in addition to physical decline. What that shows overall is that modern day medicine breakthroughs may address lingering illnesses, such as Diabetes or liver ailments, which certainly would have to be considered as hopeful blessings. For example, they say that with today's health advancements, Jean Harlow's kidney condition could have been cleared to prolong her all-too-brief lifespan.

But then there are plenty of other ways of kicking the bucket which do not necessarily include disease, and so statisticians take those into consideration, most likely.

But as for Fredric, he makes you just want to go back into time to rescue him from non-magic-of-Hollywood-age-progression-makeup aging. Fredric and quite a few other of the screen's greatest because he and they deserve all of the appreciation which many, many wonderful fans can bestow upon him and the rest of those wonderful entertainers who have gone before us.

Another aspect of natural aging for the camera shows itself in two of Middle...Night's supporting actresses, Glenda Ferrell and Lee Grant.

Twenty years before this, Glenda had been headlining as a vivacious, alluring, scene capturing headliner, and now she appears a bit more than having twenty years of experience at it.

Whereas Lee Grant would seem radiantly captivating in future projects for much more than twenty years to show for it.

Nothing against these fine and very talented and wonderful actresses, but Hollywood did used to advance through the calendars much more rapidly than they probably do now except that they still cast TV moms much younger than they ought to be just in case the series lasts through the next twenty seasons or time alloted for future reunions, maybe.

Very true, everything you both stated.

Mid-century and earlier many people died middle-aged or younger who today would survive if the same illnesses or conditions were experienced. Many of the people who died young or youngish back then wouldn't now become sick in the first place, as prescriptions, or an effective relatively simple outpatient procedure, or a vaccination for whatever, would effectively take care of things, and would prevent a crisis medical issue from developing.

I guess it's understandable where the character Fredric March plays in this movie was coming from in 1959, regarding his mindset that his hourglass is running out.