The Young in Heart

The Young In Heart is the story of the Carleton Family an civilized and amiable a group of grifters that the screen ever portrayed. The members are Roland Young and Billie Burke and their children Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Janet Gaynor.

On one train trip where Janet's caught the eye of earnest Richard Carlson and Doug is maybe getting in over his head with southern belle Margaret Early, the family makes the acquaintance of an ingenuous old woman played by Minnie Dupree. They seem to hit it off, even more so after a train wreck and the Carletons look after her.

Dupree's family is long gone and she lives in genteel splendor in a very big house in London. In a burst of generosity she invites the whole family to stay with her. It's an opportunity to good to pass up, I know I wouldn't pass up free lodging even for a short spell.

But in order to keep up appearances and maybe she'll leave them the place in a will, they have to get jobs to appear on the up and up. At least the men folk do. Doug gets a job in an engineering firm, he charms Paulette Goddard into hiring him in an entry level position. And Young gets a job selling a brand new state of the art British car, the Flying Wombat. Both the guys especially Young prove really good, although you have to admit that selling cars should be something an accomplished grifter could take to right away.

In order for The Young In Heart to work the part of the old lady must be carefully cast and played. Minnie Dupree in one of her very few screen appearances is great in the part, bringing the right amount of charm to the role without it becoming maudlin. When you think about it, her's is the most important part, the whole film is structured around it.

Next to Dupree, I like Young the best. He's got a great scene when instead of being fired because they've found out he's a crook, he's offered a promotion to general manager, he's done that well.

I've known a few people in my life, one in particular who was one of the brightest people I've ever met, but who spent his whole short life of some 31 years on earth, running one big revolving con game. He was hard to dislike like the Carletons are, but you could never really get close to him. And if he'd ever applied himself honestly, he could have been a success in any field that interested him.

That's the charm of The Young In Heart, the thought that some people like this can be redeemed. Or maybe that in itself is a big con.

The Young In Heart got Oscar nominations for musical scoring and cinematography. Certainly one talented and charming cast gave it their best and the film is a delight.

I.A.R. Wylie's serialized story "The Gay Banditti" becomes a heart-warming sentimental-comedy from producer David O. Selznick. A family of con-artists on the Riviera, about to bilk a former Senator out of some three million dollars, are asked to leave the country by the authorities; they're penniless, but luckily they meet a kindly old lady on the train to London and are asked to stay as guests at her mansion. The screenplay curdles with cuteness now and then (and certainly that unmemorable title hasn't enhanced the film's reputation), yet an enjoyable time is had by all. The first-rate cast (headed by Janet Gaynor as the "rotter" daughter) works the material fabulously, and there's a sweetheart of an automobile (the Flying Wombat). Also, a butler who adores Dominoes, a suspicious lawyer, a sharp working girl (Paulette Goddard, naturally stunning), and some satiric laughs while gently poking fun at the working class. *** from ****

What a delightful treat this little movie turned out to be! Not daffy enough to be considered a screwball yet too amusing to be regarded as anything but a comedy, "The Young In Heart" (1938) shows us what happens when an entire nuclear family of con artists finally gains a conscience, while living with a sweet, rich old lady who they are trying to bilk. And what a bunch of performers have been collected to portray that family! Roland "Topper" Young (in heart) plays the father, Sahib; everyone's favorite twittery witch, Billie Burke, is the mom; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is the son; and Janet Gaynor, here in her last role before her comeback 20 years later (in "Bernardine"), plays the daughter. All give delicious comedic performances, and are ably abetted by former stage actress Minnie Dupree, excellent and understated as the little old lady, and Paulette Goddard, who Dougy is trying to woo. This is a David Selznick picture--it came between the previous year's "A Star Is Born" and the following year's "GWTW"--and is yet another class production for the legendary showman. But the real operative word for this film is "charm," which it exudes more than any other single ingredient. And my goodness, just how pretty is Janet Gaynor here, right before her retirement? Well, she makes even the yummy-looking Paulette Goddard look second best, and that should tell you something! Anyway, all in all, this picture is a real joy, and the crisp-looking DVD offered here only adds to the pleasure.

Janet Gaynor, Roland Young, Billie Burke, and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. meet Minnie Dupree, who is "The Young at Heart" in this 1938 film. Gaynor et al are the Carltons, a family of con artists. When we first meet them, Richard Carleton (Fairbanks Jr.) has nabbed a live one, an unattractive albeit wealthy young woman, and George-Anne (Gaynor) has met a Scottsman (Richard Carlson), who is broke. However, they're found out and have to go on the lam. On the train, they meet an old lady, Miss Fortune, and when the train crashes, they get her outside. She credits them with saving her life. Realizing she's lonely, they move in with her for two weeks while they figure out their next destination. When they realize she has money, they decide to make their living situation permanent, figuring she'll put them in the will. Well, a funny thing happens on the way to the con.

This film might not be to everyone's taste - some will find it overly sentimental - but it is definitely to my taste. Vivid characters, funny scenes, and with good performances, "The Young in Heart" is a warm film. Paulette Goddard plays the young woman whom Fairbanks Jr. meets, and she's lovely.

Without this fine cast and the direction by Richard Wallace, this might have been a sappy movie. Janet Gaynor looked sweet, but she was also a very good actress. Here she's smart and believable. Fairbanks Jr. is always wonderful, as are Billie Burke and Roland Young. Minnie Dupree is delightful as Miss Fortune.

A very satisfying film, a nice ending - highly recommended.

Made in 1938, and starring Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks Jr, THE YOUNG IN HEART also introduced two newcomers, notably Paulette Goddard and Richard Carlson. It also featured Bille Burke and Roland Young. The story is about a clever family of spongers who latch onto an older rich lady who lives alone and is need of companions. Their intentions are to make her like them, which she does, and eventually get her to leave everything to them in her will.

Along the way, to impress her doubting attorney, Young and Fairbanks go out to find a job, something they have never done in their entire lives. Fairbanks runs into Goddard, as he applies for a job, and is smitten (who wouldn't be), and Young learns his trade as a car salesman very well, beginning to take pride in his endeavors.

This is a lovely film with performances simply stated. It was produced by David Selznick and directed by Richard Wallace. Selznick was, at the time this picture was being filmed, looking for a cast for his up and coming production of GONE WITH THE WIND. A bit of trivia: Paulette Goddard was the first choice for Scarlett O'Hara beating out other outstanding stars trying for the coveted role. That is until Vivien Leigh came along. Leigh got the role Goddard was after. Leigh auditioned for the role in THE YOUNG IN HEART that Goddard got.