Saturday's Children (1940)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

Maxwell Anderson (play)
Julius J. Epstein (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 May 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

Pretty Bobby Halevy loves Rims Rosson, a dreamer and inventor without much going for him. Rims has a...

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Inventor | Unemployment | Elevator | Garage

Cast

John Garfield	...	Rims Rosson
Anne Shirley	...	Bobby Halevy
Claude Rains	...	Mr. Henry Halevy
Roscoe Karns	...	Willie Sands
Lee Patrick	...	Florrie Halevy Sands
Dennie Moore	...	Gertrude 'Gert' Mills
George Tobias	...	Herbert 'Herbie' Smith
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Mrs. Myrtle Halevy (as Elizabeth Risdon)
Berton Churchill	...	Mr. 'B.N.' Norman, Office Manager

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #5984)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

James Stewart was to play "Rims Rosson" but was replaced by John Garfield. Jane Bryan was to play "Boby Halevy", but she retired to get married and was replaced by Olivia de Havilland, who was suspended when she refused the part. Una Merkel had the role of "Florrie Sands" but was replaced by 'Lee Patrick' when she became ill.

Quotes:

Willie Sands: Two can live as cheap as one... if one don't eat!

Movie Connections:

Featured in The John Garfield Story (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow

Boy, oh boy, oh boy!

This copy of this film, seen recently on TCM, had a faded look, which contributes to lose the viewer's interest in a film that doesn't seem too relevant today. The main attraction for watching it, was the interesting cast put together for it. Unfortunately, the most important part, is terribly miscast.

The story takes place in Manhattan at the end of the Great Depression. Based on a play by Maxwell Anderson, it probably worked better on the stage than in the adaptation that Julius Epstein, one of the best writers of the period, gave it. It doesn't help either, that director Vincent Sherman didn't appear to be too enthused with the material, as evident in the finished product.

John Garfield was totally wrong for Rims Rosson. He doesn't have that spark that was his trade mark. In the film he is just too bland. Ann Shirley plays the sweet Bobby Halevy. Claude Rains, though, is about the most likable character in the film because as the father of Bobby, he is an honest man who wants to do everything possible to guarantee his daughter's happiness.

The supporting cast is excellent. Lee Patrick, is seen as Florrie. Roscoe Karns and the always dependable George Tobias, make good contributions in minor roles.

Watch "Saturday's Children" as dated curiosity piece.