Of course, times have changed. And this felt very 1930-ish (the story takes place in the late 1930s)...which of course, it was supposed to. Today, it's a little too sweet for my palate.
And Margaret O'Brien. There's no question that she was an exceptional child actress, but I always felt that a little Margaret O'Brien went a long ways. Okay for a child's role in an adult-oriented picture, but a bit too much for me in terms of being the star of the film. Nevertheless, she does well here.
It's interesting to see Angela Lansbury here. I found it an oddly minor role considering her performance in "State Of The Union" (with Tracy and Hepburn) the same year, though this was filmed after that classic. George Murphy. I must admit, I've never understood the attraction to George Murphy as a movie star. But, he's pleasant enough, if a bit bland. Phyllis Thaxter is fine as the mother of O'Brien. Interesting to note that Thaxter became a polio victim four years after this film was made. A supporting actor that is notable here is Rhys Williams as a blind news stand owner. And, a very young Barry Nelson is here, as well.
As to the plot, it's fairly decent, with a couple of reservations. The biggest being that for such a long period of time it could be kept from O'Brien that Murphy had been in prison. A smaller point -- just how many different kids knew of the secret hiding place...guess it wasn't much of a secret. And third, just how naive was O'Brien's character, considering how otherwise worldly she seemed to be? And finally, the ending is just too sickeningly sweet -- let's see, a new baby, a kneeling cow for Christmas, Murphy goes straight, and Murphy gets engaged. I'm feeling queasy.
I have two suggestions for O'Brien's spoiled attitude toward the end of the picture. 1.) Slap her! (Only kidding). 2.) She desperately needs some counseling! (Not kidding).
I sat through it once and it was "okay", but never again. ***** Oops...I just rewatched this and I have changed my mind on a couple of things. First, I still think a little of Margaret O'Brien goes a long way...but she was one of the most exceptional child actors in American cinema. Shirley Temple could be cute. O'Brien could act. I've also changed my mind about George Murphy. Somehow I've seen quite a few George Murphy films in the past year, and while he isn't a "great" actor, he was always quite dependable. I originally rated this a "6", I'm going to bump that up to a "7"...except if you're a diabetic.
And Margaret O'Brien. There's no question that she was an exceptional child actress, but I always felt that a little Margaret O'Brien went a long ways. Okay for a child's role in an adult-oriented picture, but a bit too much for me in terms of being the star of the film. Nevertheless, she does well here.
It's interesting to see Angela Lansbury here. I found it an oddly minor role considering her performance in "State Of The Union" (with Tracy and Hepburn) the same year, though this was filmed after that classic. George Murphy. I must admit, I've never understood the attraction to George Murphy as a movie star. But, he's pleasant enough, if a bit bland. Phyllis Thaxter is fine as the mother of O'Brien. Interesting to note that Thaxter became a polio victim four years after this film was made. A supporting actor that is notable here is Rhys Williams as a blind news stand owner. And, a very young Barry Nelson is here, as well.
As to the plot, it's fairly decent, with a couple of reservations. The biggest being that for such a long period of time it could be kept from O'Brien that Murphy had been in prison. A smaller point -- just how many different kids knew of the secret hiding place...guess it wasn't much of a secret. And third, just how naive was O'Brien's character, considering how otherwise worldly she seemed to be? And finally, the ending is just too sickeningly sweet -- let's see, a new baby, a kneeling cow for Christmas, Murphy goes straight, and Murphy gets engaged. I'm feeling queasy.
I have two suggestions for O'Brien's spoiled attitude toward the end of the picture. 1.) Slap her! (Only kidding). 2.) She desperately needs some counseling! (Not kidding).
I sat through it once and it was "okay", but never again. ***** Oops...I just rewatched this and I have changed my mind on a couple of things. First, I still think a little of Margaret O'Brien goes a long way...but she was one of the most exceptional child actors in American cinema. Shirley Temple could be cute. O'Brien could act. I've also changed my mind about George Murphy. Somehow I've seen quite a few George Murphy films in the past year, and while he isn't a "great" actor, he was always quite dependable. I originally rated this a "6", I'm going to bump that up to a "7"...except if you're a diabetic.