Love Begins at Twenty (1936)

Horatio Gillingwater, a hen-pecked husband of long standing, takes up boozing and begins to wear the family pants and take charge of family matters, including aiding the romance of his daughter, Lois, with Jerry Wayne.

Director:

Frank McDonald

Writers:

Martin Flavin (play), Dalton Trumbo (screenplay),

Stars:

Hugh Herbert, Patricia Ellis, Warren Hull

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Herbert	...	Horatio Gillingwater
Patricia Ellis	...	Lois Gillingwater
Warren Hull	...	Jerry Wayne
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Jacob 'Jake' Buckley
Dorothy Vaughan	...	Evalina 'Evie' Gillingwater
Clarence Wilson	...	Jonathan Ramp
Robert Gleckler	...	Gangster Mugsy O'Bannion, aka Harold McCauley
Mary Treen	...	Alice Gillingwater
Anne Nagel	...	Miss Perkins, Ramp's Secretary
Arthur Aylesworth	...	Justice Felton
Sol Gorss	...	Jim, a Bank Robber
Henry Otho	...	Lumpy, a Bank Robber
Max Wagner	...	Lester, O'Bannion's Driver
Tom Brower	...	Sheriff Bert Hanson
Milton Kibbee	...	Wilbur, Detective (as Milt Kibbee)

Storyline

Horatio Gillingwater, a hen-pecked husband of long standing, takes up boozing and begins to wear the family pants and take charge of family matters, including aiding the romance of his daughter, Lois, with Jerry Wayne.

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Plot Keywords:

deafness | motorcycle accident | gang leader | wedding | family relationships | 

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Taglines:

Special - EXCLUSIVE FILMS OF THE WORLD'S FAMILYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT!...In this corner, the defender, "Man Mouse" Hugh Herbert! His opponent, the town terror, Mrs. 'Hatchetface' Gillingwater! No Holds barred - and let the laughs fall where they may!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 August 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

All One Night

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The play originally opened in New York on 5 November 1929 and ran for 178 performances. Bette Davis (in her theatrical debut) and Donald Meek were in the cast.

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Connections

Version of Too Young to Marry (1931)

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Soundtracks

"She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain When She Comes"
Traditional
Played on piano by Hobart Cavanaugh at the wedding

User Reviews

A Small Triumph For Mister Hugh Herbert

A gently eccentric fellow finds his life complicated by a bullying wife, an acidulous boss, a quickie marriage & a bank robbery.

LOVE BEGINS AT TWENTY is a fine example of the comedies which Warner Brothers Studio produced almost endlessly during the 1930's - fast, frugal & fun. Throw in a little crime for dramatic effect and the services of the Studio's array of character actors - the formula rarely failed to produce some good entertainment at the bottom of a double bill. Here, an added attraction for today's audience is knowing that the script was co-written by a young Dalton Trumbo.

A whimsical Hugh Herbert sparks the story as the harried hero. The comic relief in many a film, here he is hilarious as the main star. He receives solid support from another worthy character actor, vinegar visaged Clarence Wilson playing his caustic employer. Together these two - sweet & sour - keep the laughs coming.

Plump Dorothy Vaughan as Herbert's Xanthippe, Mary Treen as their tart-tempered daughter, Hobart Cavanaugh as a bumbling friend and Arthur Aylesworth as a comically deaf judge all add to the merriment.

Patricia Ellis & Warren Hull handle the romantic angle of the film, but wisely it is never allowed to intrude too much. Movie mavens will recognize Tommy Bupp & Dickie Jones as the youngsters Herbert regales on the train with his wrestling yarns.