This Side of Heaven (1934)

Director:

William K. Howard

Writers:

Zelda Sears (adaptation), Eve Greene (adaptation),

Stars:

Lionel Barrymore, Fay Bainter, Mae Clarke

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Lionel Barrymore	...	Martin Turner
Fay Bainter	...	Francene Turner
Mae Clarke	...	Jane Turner
Tom Brown	...	Seth Turner
Una Merkel	...	Birdie
Mary Carlisle	...	Peggy Turner
Onslow Stevens	...	Walter
Henry Wadsworth	...	Hal
Edward J. Nugent	...	Vance (as Eddie Nugent)
C. Henry Gordon	...	William Barnes
Dickie Moore	...	Freddie
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anne Shirley	...	Flower Girl (scenes deleted) (as Dawn O'Day)
Paul Stanton	...	Doctor (scenes deleted)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

engagement | sparse music score | novelist | police | doctor | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1934 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Stanton (Doctor) and Anne Shirley (Flower Girl) are in studio records/casting call lists for their roles, but are never seen. Shirley (on the books as Dawn O'Day) is out of frame in her scene.

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Connections

References Viva Villa! (1934)

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Soundtracks

"Everything I Have Is Yours"
(1933) (uncredited)
Music by Burton Lane
Lyrics by Harold Adamson
Played on piano and sung by Arthur Jarrett

User Reviews

A Family Crisis

The mother of three young adults, first time novelist Fay Bainter (as Francene E. Turner) has just sold her story to a Hollywood studio. Citing his mom as a famous writer, handsome son Tom Brown (as Seth) hopes to join a college fraternity. Eldest daughter Mae Clarke (as Jane) is a young schoolteacher courted by newspaperman Eddie Nugent (as Vance Patterson), although she plans to marry auditor Onslow Stevens (as Walter Hamilton). Youngest daughter Mary Carlisle (as Peggy) is old enough to go out to the movies with date Henry Wadsworth (as Hal Jennings), and think about eloping...

The excitement and happiness in the family is threatened when father Lionel Barrymore (as Martin Turner) is accused of embezzlement. To prevent both scandal and financial ruin awaiting his family, Mr. Barrymore decides to take drastic action...

This story starts out slow and builds, due to a good cast presented nicely by director William K. Howard. In her search for an ice pick, comic relief maid Una Merkel (as Birdie) manages to be more amusing than annoying. Likewise the stereotypical interior decorator Bobby Watson (as Mr. Worthington) who agrees drapes are "too gay." There is especially fine work from Barrymore, who can sometimes upstage his co-stars. Handing their dramatics especially well are Ms. Bainter and Mr. Brown, who are good with and without Barrymore sharing the screen. This was the first film for Bainter, a stage veteran.

******* This Side of Heaven (2/2/34) William K. Howard ~ Lionel Barrymore, Fay Bainter, Tom Brown, Mae Clarke