The Shining Hour (1938)

The Shining Hour - 1938

1938's "The Shining Hour" is the subject of our next post.  This story tells of a newlywed couple who return to the groom's home and meet his family.  The reception is somewhat less enthusiastic than expected, and unexpected feelings and events conspire against everyone.

The film's cast includes Joan Crawford, Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young, Melvyn Douglas, Fay Bainter, Allyn Joslyn, Hattie McDaniel, Frank Albertson, George Chandler, Tony De Marco, Bess Flowers, and Frank Puglia.

In New York City, the public is bursting with the news that favorite nightclub dancer Olivia Riley (seen here with her dance partner Van Stillman) is engaged.  The public is fascinated by this revelation, especially with regard to whom the groom is going to be.

Olivia's choice is successful Wisconsin farmer Henry Linden.  He is dazzled by her.  Olivia tries to discourage him from the marriage, but he is insistent and wears her down.  It's obvious that the two are smitten with each other.

Henry's brother David comes to town to meet Olivia on behalf of the family, who remain in Wisconsin.  David and Olivia take an instant dislike of one another.

Each insults the other and David earns himself a famous Joan Crawford slap.  He just smiles at her and says that she's only proving his point that she isn't the right sort of person to be marrying into their family.

The marriage goes ahead, and Henry brings Olivia home to his family farm in Wisconsin.  She meets Henry's older sister Hannah, who is less than welcoming.  "I make it a rule never to trust first impressions," she says to her brother.  "It's too bad I didn't teach you the same."

However, Olivia strikes up an instant friendship with David's wife Judy, who sees Olivia as a sort of ally.

Within the first few hours of being in the Linden family home, Olivia is made to feel horribly unwelcome by both Hannah and David.  The tension is palpable.

However, things take a dramatic turn when David and Olivia begin to spend more time together.  They develop feelings for one another, which intensify with each meeting.

At a neighborhood get-together to celebrate Henry and Olivia, Judy confides to Henry of her deep love for David.  Judy can feel David slipping away from her, but doesn't reveal any of this to Henry.

Hannah uses the party as an opportunity to trade barbs with Olivia, who is just as ready to combat her sister-in-law.  "I’ve endured your petty persecutions, but now I’m tired of them.  So, in the future, if you’re rude to me, I shall be infinitely ruder to you.  The general embarrassment will be considerable," Olivia proclaims as she walks away.

Things get out of control when David and Olivia slip away and kiss in a romantic setting.

Hannah goes to Henry and begs him to take Olivia away.  "Send her away, Henry, before she destroys us all!" Hannah pleads.

Later, Judy confronts Olivia about her relationship with David.  Judy wants her husband to be happy, so she tells Olivia to take him.

That night, Hannah sets fire to the house Henry is building for Olivia.  She is thrilled that Olivia's dream of a home of her own has quite literally gone up in smoke.

Judy makes a desperate decision and runs into the burning building, where she collapses.  Olivia runs in after her and saves her sister-in-law from certain death.  Judy is very badly burned.  Olivia escapes with minor injuries.

When it's all over, Olivia and David put an end to their ill-fated relationship.  Both wish happiness for the other.

David, repented, goes to Judy, who is heavily bandaged, and the two reconcile.

Henry and Olivia decide to chart a new course together, this time in South America.  Tagging along is Olivia's faithful maid Belvedere, who has to take control of the car as the two kiss to close out the film.

Cast rundown:

   Joan Crawford.............................Olivia Riley

   Margaret Sullavan........................Judy Linden

   Robert Young..............................David Linden

   Melvyn Douglas...........................Henry Linden

   Fay Bainter.................................Hannah Linden

   Allyn Joslyn................................Roger Q. Franklin

   Hattie McDaniel...........................Belvedere

   Frank Albertson...........................Benny Collins

   George Chandler..........................Press Agent

   Tony De Marco............................Van Stillman

   Bess Flowers...............................Nurse

   Frank Puglia................................Maurice

And that's it for The Shining Hour.  Originally, this was supposed to star Norma Shearer as Olivia.  However, the part went to Joan Crawford.  Joan improvised some of her lines, using bits and pieces from her own life to give her character some background.  Joan also suggested the studio use Margaret Sullavan in the role of Judy.  When the head of the studio told her that Sullavan could end up being a scene stealer, Joan replied, "I'd rather be a supporting player in a good picture than the star of a bad one."

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My Sister Eileen (1942)

 

My Sister Eileen - 1942

Coming up next is 1942's "My Sister Eileen", the story of two sisters who move to New York City in the hopes of launching their respective careers.  Before they can make the big time, they've got to sort out a place to live.  The cast of characters that comes through their new abode is unbelievable!

The film's cast includes Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne, Janet Blair, George Tobias, Allyn Joslyn, Grant Mitchell, Elizabeth Patterson, June Havoc, Donald MacBride, and Jeff Donnell.

Ruth Sherwood, a writer from Columbus, Ohio, is looking to broaden her horizons.  For her, this means a move to New York City, where things are really happening.  She's won her grandmother over to her side, much to the consternation of her father.

Ruth's younger sister, aspiring actress Eileen, invites herself along.  Ruth knows that Eileen needs just as much of a chance as she does, so she lets her.

They arrive in New York City and are instantly beset with the problem of where to live.  They spend the entire day scouring the city for a residence and come up short at each location.

They are talked into renting a below-street apartment by a fast-talking landlord.  It has much to be desired, but the two sisters know they've got to have a roof over their heads.

It's completely unfortunate for them that their window is right at street level, allowing everything from animals to drunk and disorderly men a front row seat to their lives.  Even a street cleaner sprays water in the open window, thoroughly soaking the girls.

And Eileen starts meeting people who want to drop in all the time.  They include a married couple who don't want the woman's mother to know their married.  The mother is visiting and so the man (a wrestler and football player) wants to stay in the girls' cozy kitchenette.  A bonus for them is that he does laundry.

A boy who works at the local drugstore and a theater reporter both have the hots for Eileen.  The two guys come over and vie for her attentions, not one paying much attention to Ruth.

A former tenant of the apartment, who happens to be a psychic at a Russian nightclub, is brought to the girls, who've got to let her stay until she wakes up.  Will the intrusions ever end?

There is someone for Ruth, however.  An editor named Bob Baker takes an interest in Ruth AND her work.  Ruth is thrilled, though she can't seem to get a word in edgewise during their conversations.

While waiting for steady jobs to come through, Ruth and Eileen have to be creative with their meals.  They eat spaghetti and meatballs for as long as it will last them.  And Eileen gets a bunch of free samples of a product called "Nature's Broom".  Ruth isn't too sure about it.

While on assignment one day, a group of Portuguese Merchant Marines follow Ruth home.  When they arrive, the guys quickly toss her aside in favor of Eileen.

They cause quite a stir.  No matter what the girls do, they can't get the guys to leave.  The guys start a conga line and eventually a sort of riot breaks out in the neighborhood.

And Eileen has to spend a night in jail because of it.  Eileen is actually quite comfortable there.  She's got the policemen eating out of the palm of her hand.

Matters come to a head when Grandma and Dad make a surprise visit and find out exactly what's been going on.  Grandma seems to be cool with it, but Dad isn't so happy.

The icing on the cake is when Eileen is escorted home from jail by the Portuguese Merchant Marines and their captain, who is very sorry.  He pins a medal on Eileen (second class) for all the trouble she's gone through.  "I wonder what you have to go through to get first class?" wonders Ruth.

Dad blows his top and orders the girls back to Columbus.  He takes Grandma with him to buy the tickets and leaves the girls to pack.

While they're gone, things start to look up.  Bob Baker comes in and announces that he's published a story of Ruth's entitled "My Sister Eileen".  The story talks about all the things that have happened since arriving in New York.  It also comes with a big check.  Bob also professes his love for Ruth, who reciprocates.

Everything seems to be settled.  The girls are going to stay in New York, and everyone is going out for a celebratory dinner.  As they leave, a commotion stops everyone in their tracks.  Diggers for the new subway have taken a wrong turn and have landed right in the middle of the girls' apartment.

Cast rundown:

   Rosalind Russell.....................................Ruth Sherwood

   Brian Aherne.........................................Robert Baker

   Janet Blair.............................................Eileen Sherwood

   George Tobias........................................Appopolous

   Allyn Joslyn...........................................Chic Clark

   Grant Mitchell........................................Walter Sherwood

   Elizabeth Patterson.................................Grandma Sherwood

   June Havoc............................................Effie Shelton

   Donald MacBride.....................................Officer Lonigan

   Jeff Donnell............................................Helen Loomis

And that's it for My Sister Eileen.  Rosalind Russell was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Ruth Sherwood.  It was the first of four nominations for the legendary star.  To get the starring role, Russell had to sign a five-year contract with Columbia Pictures, which guaranteed that she would make two films a year for them.

The Three Stooges make a surprise cameo at the end of the film as the bumbling subway workers who make a wrong turn and end up drilling into the Sherwood girls' apartment.

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