Coming up next is 1940's "Young People", a film about a family of vaudevillians who trade the glamour of show business for the simplicity of a home and country life. The film's cast includes Shirley Temple, Jack Oakie, Charlotte Greenwood, George Montgomery, Arlene Whelan, Kathleen Howard, Minor Watson, and Irving Bacon.
Vaudeville stars Joe and Kit Ballantine are surprised on stage on night when someone delivers them a baby in a basket. After finding a note pinned to the baby, they discover that it is the daughter of their good friend who is dying. His wish is that they will raise her. They also discover that the baby's name is Wendy.
Well, little Wendy quickly becomes part of their act, and even more quickly becomes a favorite of the audiences who come to see them.
Her popularity increases as they continue on in show business. Joe and Kit amass quite a little nest egg thanks to Wendy.
On a train between shows, Joe remarks to Kit, "You know what I was thinkin'?" Kit continues arranging Wendy and says, "Well, first let me get used to the idea that you've been thinking at all." Joe wants to give Wendy a normal childhood with a stable home instead of being on the road all the time. He's got a property in mind. With Kit's blessing, they commit to five more years in show business before retirement.
After their farewell performance, the Ballantines are met with a standing ovation as they depart show business for small town life.
When they arrive at the small New England town they are to call home, the Ballantines find themselves on an empty train platform with only a dog for company.
They do finally make it to their farm. The Ballantines rush about from barn to kitchen to bedrooms in excitement as they survey their new home.
Joe gets right to the business of farming. He takes up plowing, though the horse does get away from him and his rows are anything but straight. He's proud of his work, though.
And Kit gets all emotional when the first meal she's ever cooked turns out better than she could've hoped for.
The Ballantines plan to immerse themselves in town affairs. When they go to a town meeting, they discover that the entire town is firmly under the thumb of the matronly schoolteacher Hester Appleby. ("She must've been weaned on a pickle," says Kit.) Joe gets himself appointed as a one man Chamber of Commerce. It's intended to be a slight towards him, but he takes on the role with gusto.
Kit joins the local women's group and Wendy gets involved with the youth of the community. Miss Appleby, however, sees to it that the entire town goes out of its way to alienate the Ballantines. Feeling defeated, they decide to give up country life and go back to an appreciative audience waiting for them in vaudeville.
The night before the Ballantines are to leave, a huge storm arises forcing them out of the car they are traveling in. They encounter a group of children stranded on the road. The Ballantines lead them to the only place that's available: the home of Miss Hester Appleby.
Joe risks his life to go back out into the storm after a little boy who has come up missing. When he gets back, he's exhausted and injured. Kit and Wendy get him to a chair for a well-earned rest.
Morning dawns and everybody is okay. Miss Appleby is grateful to the Ballantines for their help with the children, and has a change of heart towards them, especially with regards to Wendy, whom she had been particularly hard on in the past.
The Ballantines are invited to perform for the whole town. Each member of the family is featured in a solo performance during the song "What A Merry World We Live In". Of particular note is Kit, who high kicks like no one's business.
The entire town joins the Ballantines in singing the song's chorus as a new chapter begins in the life of the community. Cast rundown:
Minor Watson........................................Dakin
Irving Bacon.........................................Otis And that's all for Young People. Though the film was given positive reviews, it performed poorly at the box office. The scenes with a very young Shirley Temple were taken from her films "Curly Top" and "Baby Take A Bow" and very cleverly added to this film to produce the segment where we see Wendy growing up in the theater. As always, if you wish to leave a comment, please remember our posting rules.
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