The Gift of Love

I don't often remember most movies beyond a year or so - if that - but for some reason this movie that I saw as a 14 year old has stayed with me all these years. In searching for that movie on the web, I came across this site and the comments made by another fan. I was struck by her saying how this movie has "haunted her" since she saw it when she was about the same age as I was! Interesting that it had the same effect on us both. I remember that Robert Stack and Lauren Bacall did a convincing, significant job in their roles and made me want to see them in every thing else I could after that. The movie was very touching, and I could imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. One scene in the movie was Lauren reflecting on her situation, looking out an upstairs window onto the garden -- I can still picture it after all these years. How I would love to see that movie again!!

I just saw this movie for the first time on TCM and I'm an older adult. Why anyone would think this movie would appeal only to teenagers or younger is a little pessimistic to say the least. I love the movie - Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and adorable little Evelyn Rudie are wonderfully talented. Of course, no one will ever compare with Shirley Temple - that's a given. Even tho there have been many talented young actresses, they threw away the pattern with Shirley. The storyline is - as it's supposed to be - rather melancholy - and for the period of time it was made it's rather marvelous I feel. The outcome of the story - which most of us could have guessed of course - is quite a lesson that teaches just how grief can make someone go off the deep end, dealing with just their own pain, and not considering the feelings and welfare of someone else, especially a child. Who knows, maybe Julie's spirit did come and encourage more searching for Hitty - it's possible.

Julie (Lauren Bacall) marries theoretical physicist Bill Beck (Robert Stack). He's a real life rocket scientist working for the government. Suddenly, she has persistent heart issues. Fearing an early death leaving Bill alone, she convinces him to adopt an unusual imaginative little girl named Hitty. Bill struggles to connect with the girl with their differing interests.

This is a sentimental melodrama. It's Lauren Bacall's first film after Bogie's death. It needs a small tweak at the start of the movie. They shouldn't need a reason to adopt Hitty. Julie could still be the driving force but the reason to adopt Hitty is Hitty. If she discovers her medical issues later and keeps it a secret, it would be more dramatic with her desperate to join Bill and Hitty together. Her reveal to Bill would also be a great tear jerker moment. Otherwise, this is perfectly fine. The girl is adorable. Bacall is motherly. Stack is awkward around people. It all fits. Bill's too angry after Julie's death. Being depress is good enough. I don't like him yelling at Hitty. This is a solid sentimental melodrama.

Watching The Gift Of Love tonight made me wonder about the original film made from this story, Sentimental Journey. Having never seen that one I wondered if it was marginally better because this one is a two bath towel special.

There is a brief prologue of sorts where a doctor's receptionist Lauren Bacall meets scientist Robert Stack who's gone in for a consultation about insomnia. She decides to take the case personally and her cure is a couple of martinis. Before you know it they're in love and married.

Married for five years and no children. Then Bacall learns she's got a serious heart ailment that will cut her life short. Her concern is for Stack because even after five years the passion is still intense. Her solution is adopt a child even though she'll not be an adoptive mother long. Redirect his passion with what she believes will be The Gift Of Love.

The gift in the flesh is little Evelyn Rudie, a strange child who can't seem to get adopted. Still she and Bacall take to each other. The crisis comes for Stack and Rudie when Bacall dies.

Stack and Bacall are reunited as a husband and wife as they were in Written On The Wind. There Stack played an unhinged character and here he's a bit unhinged as well as being all consumed with his scientific research until Bacall gives him a domestic life as well. The two of them make this film bearable.

Otherwise The Gift Of Love is awash with sentiment and bathos. It's definitely a film to prepare yourself with a pair of bath towels at the ready.

I was quite young (around 14) when I saw this movie on TV. While I could not remember the cast very much at that time, the story and the way the actors/actresses had carried the story through made a lasting impression on me - what it means when any child can be your child - it takes only to show love and how it can fill the gaps in our lives. This story of this film helped me to help many of my friends who did not have their own children and that they can enjoy the gift if they open their minds and hearts to them - as the leading lady impresses upon the husband. The beginning of romance between the two and the moments they draw together and next when we see them as a couple are all well portrayed.