Saturday's Children (1940)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

"Saturday's child has far to go" ...Directed by Vincent Sherman and based on the play by the Pulitzer Prize winning author Maxwell Anderson, this somewhat uneven comedy- drama explores married life and boasts a terrific cast. Julius and Philip Epstein wrote the screenplay.Career bookkeeper Henry Halevy (Claude Rains) and his wife (Elisabeth Risdon) still have their two daughters living with them, 22 year old Bobby (Anne Shirley) and her older sister Florrie (Lee Patrick), whose husband Willie Sands (Roscoe Karns) also lives under the same roof. Willie works for a collection agency.The film opens on a Monday morning, with the always late, financially unsuccessful Henry resisting getting out of bed until Bobby reminds him that today will be her first day of work at Martin's, his place of employment, a mail order shipping company. He tells his daughter that he's both excited, that she'll be starting her first job, and sorry, that she'll realize her father isn't an important man at the office, at the same time. Florrie has her own advice for her sister Bobby's first day, find a husband! She scoffs at the idea of working women, saying that the only reason to seek employment is to find a man to marry who will provide for them. Bobby, who's never been in love, says she isn't even thinking marrying and points to Florrie's own (lack of) "success" in Willie, who has a good sense of humor about it.On her first day, Bobby meets her new boss Mr. Norman (Berton Churchill), who says she's gotten the job on the recommendation of her father, the company's most reliable employee. He then assigns his chatty secretary Gertrude (Dennie Moore) to "show her the ropes". Gert's boyfriend is Herbie Smith (George Tobias).Rims Rosson (John Garfield), an amateur inventor (of things which are practically infeasible) who also works at Martin's, literally bumps into Bobby on his way to and from Mr. Norman's office. Though normally oblivious to others around him, he takes note of Bobby when she helps her father provide aid to a man who is injured in an elevator accident. Rims further gets to know Bobby when he helps her to reconcile some orders with their invoices, because he speaks and reads Spanish.Later, Gert and Herbie convince Bobby and Rims to go bowling with them, which becomes a regular Monday night date for the two, especially when Rims realizes how uniquely honest Bobby is relative to other women he's met. However, when Rims gets an opportunity to finally test one of his invention theories, making silk out of hemp in the Philippines, Bobby takes her scheming sister Florrie's advice to manipulate him into marrying her.Once married, the young couple's struggles begin. However, they truly love each other, so they vow to celebrate all their misfortunes instead of being taken under by them. Because of the war beginning in Europe, Mr. Norman must let go the wives (of men working for the company) go until business picks up again. Though Rims and Bobby had planned to add on to their "above a garage" (worse then next to the train tracks?) apartment, they must cancel these plans. Tom Dugan and John Qualen appear briefly as the carpenters the couple has to fire.While at home one day, Bobby gets the mail and opens a letter addressed to her husband from Manila which states that the job is still available for him there, though they cannot provide him with the salary increase required to bring his wife. That same day, Bobby learns that she is pregnant, so she tears up and discards the letter. When Bobby arrives at their apartment, she sees Rims sitting outside daydreaming. He informs her that it's time to celebrate again, he's been given a 10% decrease in salary and should probably expect another 10% decrease soon given the tough times. She decides not to tell him about her condition.At this point, the film takes several dramatic turns. There is some comedy, involving Willie and Rims, but most of the rest of the story is more serious in nature and involves Bobby "coming clean" to Rims about "hooking him", his reaction and decision, and her father's desperate attempt to provide at least one success in his legacy for his youngest daughter.

John Garfield, a greatly underrated actor, with a sadly short career, was the first real "modern" actor pre-Brando. He is stellar as the working class hero struggling with financial setbacks, unrealized ambitions and a new marriage. He imbues the character of Rims Rosson with a poignancy illustrating the inner turmoil of a man whose responsibilities and love for his wife conflict with his desire to accomplish his dream of travel and professional distinction. Claude Rains, as the titular head of this extended family, a man toiling for years at a company desk as bookkeeper, lends heart and dignity to this story of a father driven to carry out the ultimate sacrifice in order to aid the newlyweds. Ann Shirley gives an adequate performance as the modest, simple wife whose expectations and worldly ambitions starts and end with marriage. Although produced earlier on stage and film, the story elements are timeless. This 1940 movie version is an excellent slice of life representing the American "everyman" in a Depression era America on the brink of World War II.

A charming and rather riveting tale about a newlywed couple who struggle through some financial hardships, yet their incessant love for each other wins out in the end, and the money naturally follows such passion. They meet on a bus of all places, where they are immediately attracted towards one another, and allow themselves various "coincidences" to meet up again on the street - he is an inventor of such quirky gadgets like the door lock which engages like a safe, and an instant cigarette-rolling apparatus. After a rough argument, the two temporarily part ways, and through a supremely noble sacrifice by a relative, rejoin their inevitable love. He subsequently rejects a gig in The Phillipines for their union, and all finally balances out.

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.