Four Daughters (Warner Bros.) (1938)

Avgust Ts. 1938 MOTION PICTURE HERALD Four Daughters (Warner Bros.) Love Story Basically, ‘‘Four Daughters” is a family story pointed to appeal to all over the teen age. Actually it is a homey, human story of happy, humdrum lives, temporarily upset. Based on Fannie Hurst’s Cosmopolitan magazine story, “Sister Act,” with screenplay by Julius J. Epstein and Lenore Coffee and directed by Michael Curtiz, it simply, yet powerfully, brings into intimate focus a panorama of natural but startling events—experiences that probably might be the lot of the average family. Although, on occasions, the theme development strikes a note of pathetic tragedy, the complete purpose of the film is to lift up rather than depress. As a whimsical keynote is sounded, “Four Daughters” is made easy to look at, as good dialogue is combined with attention arresting incidents. Romance, melodrama, humor, pathos and tragedy, the sublime and ridiculous, all are expertly blended. It is made an unusual picture, exceptionally worthwhile entertainment for any kind of audience, sophisticates or just plain folk, by the quality of the acting. The Lane sisters, Claude Rains, May Robson, Frank McHugh, Dick Foran are all favorably known and they contribute performances equalling or topping previous appearances. The presence in the cast of John Garfield, who is sensational, Jeffrey Lynn and Gale Page gives the picture extraordinary commercial exploitation value. In the small-town Lemp household, two sisters, “Ann” and “Emma,” have shaped their future toward spinsterhood, “Kay” has visioned an artistic career, and ‘‘Thea,” socially ambitious has accepted the proposal of “Ben Crowley.” All is serene until jaunty, go-getting “Felix” appears. The hearts of the four maids go fluttering, and events beyond the imagination of “Father Adam” and “Aunt Etta” turn the household into turmoil. A note foreboding tragedy is sounded when cynical, ironic “Mickey Borden” enters to sweep “Ann” off her feet and elope with her while the minister is waiting to marry her to “Felix.” Disrupting the family happiness, the situation entangles many. Enduring bravely a pathetic existence, “Ann” and “Mickey” return home for a Christmas party to discover “Emma” happy in a newly realized affection for bucolic but dependable “Ernest.” ‘‘Mickey,” appreciating his unfitness in the scheme of things, chooses sacrificial self-elimination as the only way to right the wrong to “Ann” and “Felix” for which he was responsible. Time erasing the bitter memories, the threads of romance knit together again for “Felix,” “Ann” and her three sisters, and “Adam” and “Aunt Etta” vision a happier future. For all its theme of seriousness, “Four Daughters” is not without laughter and many moments of exciting gayety. These qualities, together with the quaint character sketches and the appealing ‘beauty of life in the country where all that happens is always good and nothing is bad, are integrally a part of the compelling plot of frustrated sweethearts wandering in search of peace. and happiness, Previewed at the Warner Theatre in Hollywood. The pudiense actually seemed to have come under the tllusion it was partictpating in the events which befell the shadows on the screen. Enthusiastic for the whole show, the crowd reserved its special applause for Garfield. Reaction inside theatre and the sidewalk comment indicated “Four Daughters” should be a crowd pleaser any place and consequent good box office ttem.—Gus McCartTHy. WARNER BROS. Presents FANNIE HURST'S Great Story “FOUR DAUGHTERS wim» PRISCILLA LANE* ROSEMARY LANE LOLA LANE * GALE PAGE » CLAUDE RAINS JOHN GARFIELD JEFFREY LYNN + DICK FORAN Frank McHugh May Robson Directed by MICHAEL CURTIZ Screen Play by Julius J. Epstein and Lenore Coffee From the Cosmopolitan Magazine Story Music by Max Steiner « A First National Picture RIP te e oa 2 ean