Lost Angel (1943)

Alpha's been raised along scientific principles, and will make Mike Regan a great human interest story for his paper. But when his interview prompts Alpha to run away from the institute and... See full summary »

Director:

Roy Rowland

Writers:

Isobel Lennart (original screenplay), Angna Enters (based on an idea by),

Stars:

Margaret O'Brien, James Craig, Marsha Hunt

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Margaret O'Brien	...	Alpha
James Craig	...	Mike Regan
Marsha Hunt	...	Katie Mallory
Philip Merivale	...	Professor Peter Vincent
Henry O'Neill	...	Professor Josh Pringle
Donald Meek	...	Professor Catty
Keenan Wynn	...	Packy Roost
Alan Napier	...	Dr. Woodring
Sara Haden	...	Rhoda Kitterick
Kathleen Lockhart	...	Mrs. Catty
Walter Fenner	...	Professor Endicott
Howard Freeman	...	Professor Richards
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Mrs. Pringle
Robert Blake	...	Jerry (as Bobby Blake)

Storyline

Alpha's been raised along scientific principles, and will make Mike Regan a great human interest story for his paper. But when his interview prompts Alpha to run away from the institute and ask him to show her some magic, Mike gets more responsibility than he bargained for. Especially since another story of his, one involving gangsters, has also come home to roost.

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Plot Keywords:

harp | nightclub | child psychology | adoption | newspaper reporter | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 November 1944 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Der kleine Engel

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:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"Academy Award Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 18, 1946 with Margaret O'Brien reprising her film role.

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Quotes

Katie Mallory: [makes a face at Alpha]
Alpha: [gasps]
Mike Regan: Katie behave yourself! Do you want her to think you're unintelligent?
Katie Mallory: I have to watch my I.Q. when I'm around her?
Alpha: Do you have a high intelligence quotient?
Katie Mallory: No. I'm a middle grade moron.

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Connections

References The Good Earth (1937)

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Soundtracks

"I've Got You Under My Skin"
Sung by Marsha Hunt in nightclub

User Reviews

Margaret O'Brien tear-jerker is better than most of her early films...

JAMES CRAIG and MARSHA HUNT have the adult leads in LOST ANGEL but it's obvious that MGM was hoping the vehicle, specially written for child star MARGARET O'BRIEN, would prove to boost her box-office popularity at a time when she was being groomed for big time stardom. It did.

At six, she was quite a little actress, able to turn on the tears on cue and spoke in that quivering little voice that most viewers found enormously appealing. She plays a child prodigy who's been raised by a psychological clinical institute but robbed of a normal childhood. When reporter Craig is sent to do a story on her, he gets stuck with the kid because the clinic is quarantined for measles. The rest of the plot has to deal with Craig's handling of a difficult situation, including the child's jealousy over his relationship with Hunt.

Margaret still had all of her childish appeal at this stage and she does well with her character, except for an unnecessary crying scene at a nightclub. Craig and Hunt exhibit some good chemistry in their byplay and are always a pleasure to watch. And, of course, there's a predictable happy ending for all.

Trivia note: Sharp-eyed fans will note AVA GARDNER in a bit role as the girl behind the checkroom counter in the nightclub scene and BOBBY BLAKE as a little boy who confronts Margaret. Another future child star, little BOBBY DRISCOLL, makes a brief appearance as the boy on the train playing with his toy train.

Summing up: O'Brien fans will like this one.