MY BILL (1938) This programmer was directed by John Farrow. With Kay Francis, Bonita Granville, John Litel, Anita Louise, Bobby Jordan and Dickie Moore. Kay Francis was a very big star and many people feel she was an underrated actress. She is not well known today, largely because her popularity was during the 1930s. Those films from that decade have for the most part been aired less that 1940s and so on. Its really too bad. Some of the greatest stars made their greatest films during that time in history. In this film Kay portrays a mother at the end of her rope trying to raise four children alone. Especially since they are judgmental and snobbish toward her. However, her youngest son, Bill adores his mother and even calls her sweetheart. The relationship between the mother and children is very strained due to her financial situation. Accept for Bill who continues to encourage her. He meets a woman and and his friendship and good deed saves the day for the family. In some instances is still very contemporary. This premise might seem corny by todays standards, but that does not make the film any less effective. It is a heart warming film, and makes you feel good when it ends. Dickie Moore does an outstanding job and one cant help but love his character. I think we would all like to have a Bill who is on our side. Director John Farrow was the husband of MGM actress Maureen OSullivan and the father of actress, Mia Farrow, who would later marry Woody Allen. Before the great Vincent Sherman directed films at Warner Bros., he was a writer and a dialog coach on this film. In 1939, he would begin a celebrated directing career. If you are interested in reading a terrific honest, and interesting easy read on his career, I highly recommend his autobiography titled, STUDIO AFFAIRS, I had the good pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions. He was class act. IN CELEBRATION OF KAY FRANCIS BIRTHDAY, JANUARY 13.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 17:27:24 +0000
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