The Happy Time `The Happy Time'(1952) is a wonderful movie in which Bobby co-starred with Louis Jourdan and Charles Boyer, in the story of a boy growing up in an eccentric French Canadian family during the 1920's. This charming movie gets everything right. What makes `The Happy Time' unique is its portrayal that the end of childhood, not as a time of regret, but as something to be enjoyed. Especially when you grow up in a terrific family. Bobby's character falls in love with the new maid, who is also the object of his Uncle Desmond's affections. Gently and wisely, Dad and the family guide the young man's affection toward the next-door neighbor's daughter, Peggy, who is already in love with Bobby's character, 14-year-old Bibi. The last scene of the movie is wonderful: Bibi has received his first pair of long pants and then Mom catches him kissing Peggy, who then flees. Papa walks in on both of them and just when Bibi starts to explain, his voice starts to crack. Dad takes Bibi in his arms and unabashedly cries. What a wonderful movie, now I remember why I liked it 30 years ago. Everybody deserves a family like that. Which goes to prove that happiness is easy when you only have to look next-door to find it, and your family is willing to give you directions so you don't get lost.
Review of The Happy Time
The Happy Time
(1952)
Love is a beautiful thing where ever you find it.
3 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers