The Light of Heart (1942)
"Life Begins at Eight-Thirty" (original title)

Kathy lives in a cramped New York flat with her father Madden Thomas, a celebrated actor brought down by drink. Lame from an early age and feeling trapped with her father in her small world... See full summary »

Director:

Irving Pichel

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson, Emlyn Williams (play),

Stars:

Monty Woolley, Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Monty Woolley	...	Madden Thomas
Ida Lupino	...	Kathy Thomas
Cornel Wilde	...	Robert Carter
Sara Allgood	...	Alma Lothian, Robert's Aunt
Melville Cooper	...	Barty
J. Edward Bromberg	...	Sid Gordon
William Demarest	...	Police Officer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Alec Craig	...	Santa Claus
Lee Phelps	...	Bartender

Storyline

Kathy lives in a cramped New York flat with her father Madden Thomas, a celebrated actor brought down by drink. Lame from an early age and feeling trapped with her father in her small world, Kathy is delighted to meet fellow tenant Robert. When Madden is offered the lead in a new King Lear and Robert lands a composing job in Hollywood, better times seem for a while to beckon.

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Plot Keywords:

theater | based on play

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Vida Começa às Oito e Meia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Not the Real Santa Claus

Unlike Edmund Gwenn's portrayal of Kris Kringle on Macy's parade float, Monte Woolleys's Santa Claus was like the alcoholic one Kris replaced at the start of "Miracle on 34th Street". In this film, "Life Begins at Eight-thirty" (that's curtain time for old-time stage professionals) Monte's Thespian character, Madden Thomas, does a between-jobs gig as Department Store Santa, who secretly sips his much-needed "courage", smuggled in from the neighborhood saloon, through a hose from hot water bottle concealed behind his beard. When an uppity customer gasps indignantly upon hearing this Santa letting out a long loud belch, Monte leans down toward her, demanding sarcastically, "What did you expect madame -- chimes?"