This film has all the ingredients that make me tend to like a movie. And while I do like this film, I'm only going to give it my "basic" "7" rating -- good but not great.
June Allyson, playing a teenager here, was actually about 30 years old when making this film. However, that aspect of the film does work well enough, although I found that her change in the ten years the film covers not so believable. She does well here.
So what are the ingredients here that I like? A good story -- a teen hates her stepmother, and later finds out that her father committed suicide. Meanwhile, the girl falls in love with her stepmothers middle-aged male friend. For a while that bothered me, but after thinking about it, she is mentally ill and feels comfortable with him...so yes, I guess that's believable, too.
The other good thing about this film is the cast: Claudette Colbert, Walter Pidgeon, June Allyson, Lionel Barrymore, a young Marshall Thompson, and wonderful character actress Elizabeth Patterson.
To be honest, almost any film with Claudette Colbert is worth watching, and this is no exception. And Walter Pidgeon is just right for his part, as well. Robert Sterling does nicely here, as well.
A good film. Not a great film.
June Allyson, playing a teenager here, was actually about 30 years old when making this film. However, that aspect of the film does work well enough, although I found that her change in the ten years the film covers not so believable. She does well here.
So what are the ingredients here that I like? A good story -- a teen hates her stepmother, and later finds out that her father committed suicide. Meanwhile, the girl falls in love with her stepmothers middle-aged male friend. For a while that bothered me, but after thinking about it, she is mentally ill and feels comfortable with him...so yes, I guess that's believable, too.
The other good thing about this film is the cast: Claudette Colbert, Walter Pidgeon, June Allyson, Lionel Barrymore, a young Marshall Thompson, and wonderful character actress Elizabeth Patterson.
To be honest, almost any film with Claudette Colbert is worth watching, and this is no exception. And Walter Pidgeon is just right for his part, as well. Robert Sterling does nicely here, as well.
A good film. Not a great film.