Love Is a Headache (1938) Poster

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7/10
Franchot Tone at his peak
HotToastyRag15 November 2019
Remember that brief period of time when Franchot Tone was young, handsome, making good movies, and not yet destroyed by life? If you love him like I do, check out Love Is a Headache. It was before his infamous divorce and subsequent wrong paths, and he's at his handsome and charming best. In this romance, he's paired with Gladys George, an actress he bickers with as much as he woos. She's had a string of stage flops, and in an attempt to gain positive publicity before her new show opens, she adopts a pair of recently orphaned kids, Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler. Franchot is a newspaper man famous for telling it like it is, and he's been the one behind the negative theatrical reviews. He was also a friend of the kids' parents, so he doesn't want to see them taken advantage of just for publicity.

This one has some laughs, some cute parts, and a healthy enough dose of drama to make it feel like a grown-up movie. Both leads were enjoying their peaks in the 1930s, before age and life and newer stars took their places. Check this one out if you like stories about hardened hearts getting softened by kiddies, or if you like the cast. You'll also see Frank Jenks among the supporting players, as Franchot's completely inept sidekick who makes mistakes as easily as breathing, and Ralph Morgan, as Gladys's ardent admirer with no flaws other than the fact that he's not Franchot Tone.
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6/10
Brava Gladys!
Handlinghandel29 June 2006
This gives the superb Gladys George a good, meaty role. The plot is a bit well-worn. But she is in all her glory as a temperamental grand lady of the stage with a heart of gold. (The plot involves no drinking on her part, which is a nice change from the general typecasting her tough voice and soft manner brought.) Let's get one thing clear: The title means nothing. It seems slapped on out of desperation. What romantic title could not be called "Love Is A Headache"? From "Gone With the Wind" to "Mala Noche," with many stops in between, there could have been hundreds of movies with that title.

The supporting cast is fun. Franchot Tone is fine. Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler are real pros.

Though I liked this primarily because of Ms. George, I have to say that Rooney shines. He had that quality the camera loved that certain big stars had. Marilyn Monroe is one of them. When either of these two appeared in a movie's early scenes, the audience sits up and says "Whoa! Who is THIS?"
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6/10
amusing '30s comedy, second feature
blanche-229 August 2014
"Love is a Headache" is from 1938, a short second feature that runs one hour and 15 minutes, and stars Franchot Tone, Gladys George, Mickey Rooney, and Virginia Wiedler.

Tone plays Peter Lawrence, a gossip columnist who knew one Broadway star, Carlotta (whom he calls Charlie) Lee back when they were kids. He never lets up on her, and when she takes a role in a flop show, he says the show is no good and she's making a mistake. She's about to sign a contract for another dud and is angry with Peter for writing about her in his column.

Peter also has an interest in two young kids, Mike and Jake O'Toole (Rooney and Wielder), who are now orphans after their father is killed. On his latest broadcast, he calls out for anyone who can adopt these children. Carlotta's publicist thinks will be great for her, so he arranges to have the children brought to her apartment. Meanwhile, Peter knows nothing of this, planning to thoroughly investigate anyone interested. When he finds out, he assumes this is a cheap publicity stunt.

Entertaining film, with Gladys George giving a wonderful performance as Carlotta, a dedicated performer but a woman with a heart. Rooney as the tough older brother is, as always, excellent, and as his vulnerable little sister Wiedler is excellent as well. Franchot Tone is smooth and sophisticated as Peter Lawrence.

Those were the good old days, when columnists were an important part of the Broadway and movie scenes, and many times they would broadcast their programs from nightclubs or high-end restaurants, adding some glamor. There was a fun clip of the old Times Square at the beginning of the film. Wow, times have changed.
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Better than aspirin
jarrodmcdonald-126 February 2014
In the late 1930s, MGM turned out some high-concept programmers that are fun to watch. None of these, to my knowledge, cause migraines-- just fits of laughter. Love Is a Headache is one of these charming films.

The story, which is rather simplistic, is about a fading actress (Gladys George) who adopts two street urchins as a publicity stunt. The urchins are portrayed by Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler, who convey a realistic and believable sibling relationship. (The studio would re-team Rooney and Weidler in a few other films, notably in an installment of the Andy Hardy series.)

The picture also benefits from the presence of MGM contract player Franchot Tone (who was Mr. Joan Crawford at this time). Tone plays Miss George's love interest and is in all likelihood going to become a daddy to the two urchins. It's nice to see him in more of a 'family'-type comedy.
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6/10
No Headaches from This Cast
wes-connors3 September 2014
After her latest Broadway play bombs, stage star Gladys George (as Carlotta "Charlie" Lee) is concerned. It's been four flops in a row for Ms. George and she needs a hit. George decides to play the lead in "Carolina" - but radio and newspaper celebrity reporter Franchot Tone (as Peter "Pete" Lawrence) thinks it will ruin her career. He hopes his "New York Chronicle" column will queer the deal. The bickering pair have been an item since their youth - or so we're led to believe. George is listening to Mr. Tone's "Broadway Chatter" radio show when he reports on the death of a window washer. Tone wants his audience to find parents for newly orphaned Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler (as Mike and Jake O'Toole). This turns into a convoluted publicity stunt, with George getting the kids...

George and Tone are game, but their coupling sends off no sparks. However, this film won't give you a headache - in spite of its unappealing title. Director Richard Thorpe and the MGM crew move the cast around skillfully, with George walking up toward the camera for an exit and her co-star deftly handling physical comedy. The supporting cast is not only strong, but also given opportunities to shine. Most obviously on his mark is Mr. Rooney, although he is miscast as a 13-year-old. It is surprising to see Frank Jenks (as Joe Cannon) hold his own in a film with Rooney and the adorable little Miss Weidler. After he is offered advice on reincarnation, Mr. Jenks is on a roll which lasts throughout his screen time. Also notable, this was the last film for Ted Healy; the man who gave us his "Three Stooges" died shortly before its release.

****** Love Is a Headache (1/14/38) Richard Thorpe ~ Gladys George, Franchot Tone, Mickey Rooney, Frank Jenks
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6/10
odd story about a movie star trying to get ahead
ksf-24 October 2019
SO many big, fun names in this one. Ralph Morgan was a star in so many black & white films. Jessie Ralph had worked with W.C. Fields, and put him right in his place. a young Franchot Tone will also star in many films. Mickey Rooney in here as little street punk, right around the same time he started making all the Andy Hardy films. Carlotta Lee is the star here... she had made a few silents, then into the talkies. died quite young, at 54, under suspicious circumstances. Here, Lee is a broadway actress, who has had a few flops. her agent tells her to hold out for a really great part, so in the meantime, she adopts a couple street kids. or rather, her press agent decides it would be good publicity. it gets rawtha silly. i was never a mickey rooney fan. keep an eye out for virginia weidler.. she had a pretty big role in "the women", with norma shearer. Carlotta adopts "mike and jake", and tries to make a go of it, even if it did start as a publicity stunt. this one is just okay.
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4/10
"Are those the only clothes you kids have?" "No, we have hats!"
Calaboss28 June 2006
TCM to the rescue again with another little gem from the "You Won't See This Anywhere Else" vault. From 1938, this is one of those films that has nothing to really recommend it, but is not offensive either. It can only be shown on TCM because no advertiser is going to pay money to put commercials on during its showing.

Mickey Rooney plays one of the adopted poor kids of a rich actress who only wants them for the good PR it will give her. (Will she come around for a happy ending? Hey, it was the Depression, what do you think?) This is some early Mickey from about the time he started his Andy Hardy phase. He's charming enough, as are the other actors. The writing is OK, as is the direction, but while everyone tries, the movie just plods along trying to make everyone feel good.

From late in the Depression, everyone in the film is depicted as either extremely rich, or extremely poor. But everyone has a hat! It was like the law in the 30's that everyone had to wear a hat when outdoors. Men, women, kids, cops, chauffeurs, milkmen, dockworkers, it didn't matter, they had to wear a hat. One line in the film has the rich adoptive Mom asking her new poor kids, "Are those the only clothes you kids have?" And Rooney answers, "No, we have hats!"

If you appreciate the old potboiler films of less than 90 minutes duration, you'll certainly be able to sit through this one, as it is better than many of its type. If you were raised on Star Wars films, you'll probably hate it.

Well, I have to go. Where's my hat?
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3/10
Perhaps it was just me, but this film just didn't work...
planktonrules1 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Despite being from a great studio, this isn't a particularly distinguished film--in fact, it's pretty poor. The biggest problems are that there really isn't any romantic chemistry and the plot seemed very forced.

The film begins with a Broadway actress (Gladys George) having yet another flop on stage. Her agent (Ted Healy) is always trying to think of ways for her to get publicity and a friend (Franchot Tone) is trying to get her to be choosy about her projects and listen to him. In one of his radio broadcasts, Tone talks about some orphans in need of a home (including Mickey Rooney--who was a bit old to be adopted). Healy and George get the bright idea of adopting--or at least PRETENDING to adopt the kids for publicity. Tone is appalled and the rest of the film is spent watching George inexplicably becoming attached to the two kids and Tone somehow marrying George by the end...even though there is zero chemistry between them and the film never shows any indications that romance is in the air.

The film is supposed to be a wacky comedy but wacky it seldom is. In fact, things happen repeatedly throughout the film for no apparent reason. As a result, the film is very weak and very skipable.
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8/10
Just look at that cast!
JohnHowardReid12 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Franchot Tone (Peter Lawrence), Mickey Rooney (Mike), Ralph Morgan (Reggie Odell), Jessie Ralph (sheriff), Barnett Parker (Hotchkiss), Gladys George (Carlotta Lee), Ted Healy (Jimmy Slattery), Frank Jenks (Joe Cannon), Virginia Weidler ("Jake"), Fay Holden (Mary), Julius Tannen (Mr Hiller), Henry Kolker (Sam Ellinger), Robert Middlemass (police commissioner), Bea Nigro (elegant woman at dock), Jack Norton (barkeep), Lillian Read (hat check girl), Gil Patric, Ernie Alexander, Don Brodie, Cyril Ring (reporters), Sam Ash (headwaiter), Georgie Billings, Leonard Kibrick, Buster Slaven (Mike's friends), Marie Blake (Hillier's secretary), Sidney Bracey (waiter), June Brewster (Betty Bartholomew, a chorus girl), Chester Clute (pants salesman), Oscar O'Shea ("Pop", the stage doorman), Jules Cowles (hotel doorman), Richard Cramer (process server), Edgar Dearing (Detective "Pinch"), Leigh De Lacey (neighbor), Sarah Edwards (Mrs Warden), Jim Farley (plainclothesman), Chester Gan (Louie), Howard Hickman (editor), Leyland Hodgson (chauffeur), Phillip Terry (Club 44 radio man).

Director: RICHARD THORPE. Screenplay: Marion Parsonnet, Harry Ruskin, William R. Lipman. Original screen story: Lou Heifetz and Herbert Klein. Photography: John Seitz. Film editor: Conrad A. Nervig. Music: Edward Ward. Supervising art director: Cedric Gibbons. Set decorator: Edwin B. Willis. Costumes: Adrian. Art director: Joseph C. Wright. Assistant director: Tom Andre. Sound recording: Douglas Shearer. Producer: Frederick Stephani. Copyright 10 January 1938 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. New York opening at the Rialto, 27 January 1938. U.S. release: 14 January 1938. Australian release: 14 July 1938. 8 reels. 73 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Fading Broadway star adopts two orphans as a publicity stunt.

NOTES: Academy Award, Mickey Rooney, Best Male Juvenile of 1938. Last film of Ted Healy.

COMMENT: A pleasant film with a most attractive cast going their customary paces in a zippy little script worked up by no less than five writers. True, Mickey Rooney has all the best lines, but he makes the most of them. In fact, director Richard Thorpe virtually allows Mickey the run of the movie. Only Virginia Weidler and the late Ted Healy (the originator of "the Three Stooges". The original billing in both vaudeville and Hollywood was Ted Healy and his Three Stooges) are occasionally allowed to give Mickey any real competition.
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4/10
Worth watching only for Gladys George
larrywest42-610-6189571 January 2023
Despite her being in several notable movies - see her IMDb bio - I was unaware of Gladys George until seeing this movie. She is convincing in the role, and gives this movie what little charm it has.

But, as a whole, the film is a bit tired.

Viewers are given no hint of a reason to believe that the two leads love each other, except that they are the leads in a romance.

Franchot Tone plays a character ("Peter Lawrence") I've seen him play a few times: arrogant, manipulative, and vindictive, yet for some reason the Carlotta Lee character is supposed to want to spend the rest of her life with him.

The other actors - Healy, Rooney, Jenks, and Weidler in particular - make a valiant effort, but their characters barely qualify as two dimensional, and the plot is contrived.

In short, it will pass the time, but there's nothing besides George that makes this worth seeking out.
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