Joy of Living
Tags: comedy

Plot synopsis:
Margaret 'Maggie' Garret is the star of a new musical show, 'Glamour", having come up the hard way, following the family tradition of stage performance. She now earns a large salary but is devastated to learn that she is deeply in debt. She has worked extremely hard to make the show a success, but spends huge sums on a palatial home, and supporting her parents Dan and Minerva, her sister Salina (also her understudy) and Salina's work-shy husband, Bert Pine.
After the show one night, she forces her way through her adoring fans and is accosted by Dan Webster, who latches on to her and won't be put off. Taking him as a 'masher', she drives to the police station, but Dan charmingly talks his way out of the charge. When it happens again, Dan is forced to appear to court and demands that Maggie appear as a witness. The judge finds the charge proved and sentences Dan to six months in prison. Maggie, who is slowly taking a liking to Dan's debonair manner, begs the Judge to commute the sentence to a suspended one. He agrees, but appoints Maggie the 'probation officer', to whom Dan must report twice-weekly.
Dan, now revealed as an easy-going pleasure-seeker from a rich banking family, claims to own an island in the South Pacific, bought with family money. He continues to pursue the hard-working Maggie, attempting to convince her to take time off and have fun - as he does.
Eventually, they fall in love and marry. Dan wants to immediately board his boat and sail to his island, which he calls 'Paradise', but Maggie has a show to do. She must make a choice.
Maggie returns to the family home and confronts her sponging family. She tells her Parents, who have spent a fortune on acquiring antiques, to go into the antiques business. She tells her sister that this is her big chance - tonight she will take the stage and (perhaps) make her name.
Maggie and Dan sail off to Paradise.

Review: That's what people wanted to see, to keep their minds off their troubles.And they wanted to see beautiful people and certainly stars Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. fill that bill.
Dunne is a musical comedy star on Broadway who has these leeches of a family dependent on her.
Experience the Joy of Living.I'm convinced part of the charm of this movie at least for the men is the notion they could escape with Doug and Irene by signing on as a deckhand.
And the women sat in the audience hoping that a Fairbanks would come into their lives.Well, maybe if they sang like Irene Dunne.
Playing a musical comedy star gave her to sing some tunes from her favorite composer Jerome Kern.
Besides Joy of Living, Irene Dunne did four other films with Jerome Kern scores.
From the score of Joy of Living, Just Let Me Look at You and You Couldn't Be Cuter sold quite a few 78 rpm platters back in 1938.Escapist stuff like this depends on the charm of it's leads and charm is what Fairbanks and Dunne have in abundance.
Joy of Living is not one of Irene Dunne's five best movies, but she does what she can with a plot that often seems like a blend of "Theodora Goes Wild" and some of her earlier heroines she played so seriously and so well.
In my opinion, it never quite gets off the runway, even though it has a long list of well-known character actors such as Eric Blore, Alice Brady and Franklin Pangborn and some able talents such as Douglas Fairbanks and Lucille Ball.The trouble I had with "Joy of Living" is the fact it's too close to previous roles Irene Dunne played with distinction.
The sequences in the roller skating rink were not well done; and the one real highlight of the film was Irene Dunne's impishness when she finally lets loose.I don't blame Irene Dunne for making this movie; but the director failed in my opinion to develop it in such a way as to draw out and highlight her monumental talents.
But I'm afraid Irene Dunne spoiled me with efforts like "Back Street"; "Ann Vickers"; "Consolation Marriage"; "Theodora Goes Wild"; "The Awful Truth"; "Love Affair"; and "I Remember Momma" and this movie simply isn't in that league..
The elegant and circumspect soprano Irene Dunne, the charming and sophisticated Douglas Fairbanks Jr., the vivacious and witty Lucille Ball, a host of character performers, including Alice Brady, Warren Hymer, Eric Blore, Phyllis Kennedy AND Franklin Pangborn, with a score by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields...
"Joy of Living" (RKO-Radio 1938) contains all of this and more, considering the wisecracking antics of Margaret Garret's (Miss Dunne) Assistant, Harrison (Jean Dixon), who helps to advance this film's plot whereas most other characters--including that of leading man Dan Brewster (Douglas Jr.)--are written without very much in the way of dimension.Here, it is (quite naturally) up to Irene to serve as Moral Center and Douglas (with able assistance from Miss Dixon) to advance the story of Musical stage star Margaret Garret's decision to continue along with her overly-demanding career or to sail away in a carefree lifestyle.Whether or not she may balance both entities isn't an option granted to Margaret Garret, although Irene would play the character as responsible as the script allows.Sometimes one wonders why Miss Dunne would pass on a script like "Follow the Fleet" (RKO 1936) - an Irving Berlin scored picture - in order to embark upon a lesser Musical later on.
In many another film, Irene Dunne conveys to an audience her characters' motivations and decision-making processes, enriching her pathos therein.
Here, she explains to her Assistant (Miss Dixon) her reasons for desiring to support her family (which hadn't much in the way of material wealth before she arose to Broadway fame) and toward her feelings of the moment for Dan, usually when she loves him not.Margaret's family consists here of parents, Minerva (Alice Brady) and Dennis Garret (Guy Kibbee), sister and brother-in-law Salina (Lucille Ball) and Bert Pine (Frank Milan) and twin toddler nieces, Dotsy (Dorothy Steiner) and Betsy Pine (Estelle Steiner).Minerva cherishes Margaret's theatre wealth to purchase antiques, Dennis to stock up on alcohol, Bert to sponge idly.
After being "received" by family and admirers in her cramped dressing room, she exits the theatre to be hounded by a mob of autograph seekers, who uncontrollably begin to usurp her wrap and accessories.Enter Dan Brewster, to whisk Margaret to the safety of his limousine; yet, from there, upon her appreciative rejection, he begins to stalk the star for his own purposes, which include his attempt to free her of her responsibilities to career, fans and family.Along the way, Margaret cleverly ushers Dan to a police station, to have him arrested although he does not seem to mind in the least, laughing off this action as he does most throughout the film.
But if you listen at low volume, then you may miss a deal of conversation involving our soft-spoken stars.Douglas appears in four comedies in 1938, "Joy of Living," the first and longest.
He plays his leading roles in the other three a bit more seriously than as Dan Brewster, here: as Jim Trevor in "The Rage of Paris," at Universal, co-starring the lovely Danielle Darrieux; as Chick Kirkland in "Having Wonderful Time," back at RKO, opposite the glamorous Ginger Rogers; and as Richard Carleton in "The Young in Heart," at United Artists, along with the perky Janet Gaynor, in her last feature film starring role.Irene, however, makes her sole 1938 feature appearance in "Joy of Living," which she sandwiches between two other RKO productions, "The Awful Truth" (1937), opposite Cary Grant, and "Love Affair" (1939), co-starring Charles Boyer.Alice Brady marks one of her last appearances in "Joy of Living," with a mere two to follow before her untimely passing.
Actually, Miss Brady and Miss Dunne share an age difference of six years, a shorter span than the difference between Irene and Douglas, one of her youngest leading men in a Romance.So, whether or not you may consider "Joy of Living" a film classic, it still serves as a gem in the Golden Age archives because of the elegant and circumspect soprano Irene Dunne, the charming and sophisticated Douglas Fairbanks Jr., the vivacious and witty Lucille Ball, a host of character performers, including Alice Brady, Warren Hymer, Eric Blore, Phyllis Kennedy AND Franklin Pangborn, plus a score by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields..
Irene Dunne is glamorous Maggie Garret, famous Broadway star, who is supporting her family in "Joy of Living," a 1938 comedy also starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Alice Brady, Jean Dixon, Guy Kibbee, Lucille Ball, and Eric Blore.
When Dunne meets the wealthy, carefree Dan Webster, he tries to show her what it's like to have fun and also to convince her that her family is freeloading off of her.This film is so lightweight it practically drifts upward.
The roller skating sequence is very funny; the scene in the bar goes on a little too long.Fairbanks, a very versatile and charming actor, is lively and attractive as Dan. Lucille Ball has a small role as Maggie's whiny sister/understudy.
This ecstatic little musical comedy pageant must sport the highest level of springy, rambunctious, impromptu optimism of any film, right down to the lighthearded silliness of the whole movie which, at the same time one can feel underwhelmed by it, the filmmakers are holding true to the spirit of its characters, allowing no room for ardor of any kind.Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.'s supposedly self-styled sprawlingly open and adaptable stream-of- consciousness maverick is not a very good person.
This, however, is no matter, because by means of the movie's completely detached, carefree spirit, it doesn't matter what he's like.Joy of Living's philosophy seems to border on reckless, Fairbanks and gradually Dunne feeling overly optimistic and expansive, disregarding the resulting difficulty with commitment and trustworthiness as the itch for fun and free-flowing unpredictability of events call the shots.
Comedy about a famous singing sensation Maggie Garret (Irene Dunne) who is constantly hounded by the press and rabid autograph hounds, and that's not all - a man (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) who is crazy in love with her from afar is busy chasing after her too, but she doesn't seem to care for him and sees to it he is arrested for "mashing".
Soon they out on the town boozing it up on gigantic mugs full of beer, becoming very, very drunk to the point where they are playing face slapping games with other and end up stealing a bunch of signs from local businesses - h'm, at this point she actually begins to really like him for the first time, I guess all it took was the drink.Nothing great here - but still entertaining, silly, and fun to watch.
I didn't find this film particularly laugh-out-loud funny (except for the scenes with Billy Gilbert which ARE quite funny) - but it is amusing and has a number of scenes featuring favorite comic actors from the thirties including not just Billy Gilbert, but Franklin Pangborn, Eric Blore, even Lucille Ball - all seen in very small parts.
The film also features a number of catchy songs performed by Irene Dunne, especially "You Couldn't Be Cuter" - so catchy, in fact, I am still singing it aloud as I type.
Thus, without a strong central core, the movie flounders despite such other comedic talents as Kibbee and Ball, who are given far too little to do.Neither, for that matter, does director Garnett manage to get the material to gel, simply going from one hectic set-up to the next in uninspired fashion.
Irene Dunne plays a Broadway singer who serves as her family's meal ticket.
Her family, including sister Lucille Ball, don't do much, other than enjoy the wealth and status (by association) Dunne's success brings them.
Fairbanks manages to charm his way out of jail time and even gets Dunne appointed as his probation officer.
As she gets to know Fairbanks, Dunne finds out that he comes from wealth but has chosen to live his life as a pleasure seeker.
He also claims to own an island in the South Pacific and urges Dunne to leave her stress behind and live in paradise with him.Lucille Ball is good as Dunne's younger sister (and understudy), but her part is so small, she doesn't really get to make much of an impression.
Irene Dunne is the Broadway star being bled and bullied by a family of sponges; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is the handsome free spirit stalking her and- of course- just the medicine she needs.If you've seen Jean Harlow's 1933 screwball masterpiece "Bombshell", you've seen a fairly similar story done much better, but "Joy of Living" comes off just fine- thanks mostly to two terrific leads at the top of their game, given plenty to work with.
Dunne and Fairbanks spar with wit and energy to spare, and wonderful dialogue and funny situations keep this one rolling, even if it can't quite decide to go full-screwball.One of those great thirties casts, with Jean Dixon, Guy Kibbee, and Eric Blore (and quick drive-bys from Franklin Pangborn and Grady Sutton) adds another touch of class.
The songs of Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields (including "You Couldn't be Cuter"), and Dunne's wonderful talent as a singer, bring enough extra to make this one special..
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. seems a little lightweight acting opposite Irene Dunne.
It's refreshing to see Irene Dunne let go and enjoy herself as her character Maggie embraces the "Joy of Living" for the first time.
I have, since falling madly in love with her in "The Awful Truth," every movie made by Irene Dunne -- at least every one listed in the filmography here.
There is something static about the presentation of her songs here.My favorite Irene Dunne movies are "The Awful Truth," which I consider the funniest comedy ever made; "Show Boat"; "Unfinished Business," which is a real heartbreaker and one of Gregory La Cava's very best; and "Anna and the King of Siam," which I consider a very beautiful movie, despite the politically incorrect casting of Rex Harrison as the king..
All in all, this is a terribly forced comedy--one that isn't particularly funny and one that marks a low point in the careers of both Dunne and Fairbanks.
Did the audience cheer when Dunne dumped her grasping family and abandoned her Broadway career for Fairbanks and an island in the South Seas?
He's an OK actor but not equivalent to Cooper, Gable, or even Scott or McCrea, not that any of these talents could have made a silk purse out of this sows ear of a character.Fairbanks introduces the career-oriented Dunne to the Joy of Living, which is accessed via getting intoxicated on pitchers of beer.
He's besotted with the Great Star, but she's spent so little time with him that she doesn't know him or have any realistic idea of what life with him on his island will be like.
Instead, as there were no other suitors, she tumbled to Fairbanks, who made noises like Donald Duck to show his displeasure and demonstrated his joie de vivre by whooping it up like an Indian brave going into battle.Yes, I do understand that this is screwball comedy, but it falls far short of the great classics such as My Man Godfrey and Dunne's The Awful Truth.
Still, despite the poor script, Dunne's performance makes this film worth watching..
Lovely Irene Dunne plays Maggie, a popular Broadway musical-comedy star saddled with a possessive, extravagant and selfishly-annoying family.
Dan (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), a handsome stage-door Johnny, is the Prince Charming who wants to rescue Maggie from her relatives.
Dan teaches the repressed Maggie how to have fun on little to no money by taking her roller-skating and to a German restaurant where she takes the lesson to heart and gets drunk on cheap beer.
Fairbanks and Dunn are first rate as is the supporting cast: Lucille Ball, Billy Gilbert, Jean Dixon, Guy Kibbee, Eric Blore and Franklin Pangborn..
Screwball comedies started out during the great depression with films like IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT and BOMBSHELL (1933).
Joy of Living (1938) stars one of the best actresses of the genre, the inimitable Irene Dunne who was Oscar nominated 5 times.
Honing her craft in such classics as THEODORA GOES WILD (1936) and THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937), Dunne plays a successful Broadway singer in JOY OF LIVING whose freeloading family is literally draining her of happiness as well as her money.
RKO stock company players that you will recognize from Astaire & Rogers films are: Eric Blore (flustered butler); Franklin Pangborn (as the put upon orchestra leader); Alice Brady (as the antique collecting mother); Guy Kibbee (as the former actor and now current alcohol loving father); Jean Dixon (know-it-all best friend and smart-aleck personal assistant) and Warren Hymer (gum chewing chauffeur who was actually a graduate of Yale University!)There is a charming scene where Doug convinces Irene to make a record at a sidewalk store front recording studio.
But its Lucille Ball everybody will recognize in an early role as the sister and jealous understudy who just needs a break to become a star!You'll see Irene notice a picture on wall Doug's four brothers, I think they are all Doug in different make-up & costumes.
JOY OF LIVING starts suddenly and lavishly with Irene Dunne singing "What's Good About Good Night?" on a Broadway stage in an exquisite white gown with a dozen tuxedo clad escorts before she is quickly mobbed by fans as she tries to exit the stage, the dressing room and even the theater.
Great stuff, but I really miss the days of free music files online!Irene's performances are so good I think they could give Jeannette MacDonald a run for her money.The picture also isn't helped by Fairbanks as the male lead.
It would have been a much different and improved picture with Cary Grant in the role.Slow and even embarrassing (dubbed Donald Duck voices) at times, watch it anyway for some catchy tunes and an earful of Irene Dunne singing them..
If you want to know why Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. was never in the upper echelon of acting, this film ought to show you why.
One of the worst that I have ever seen that I watched all the way through...constantly thinking that with Irene Dunne as its star, it must get better.
Even Jean Dixon, who usually brings fun to most any picture, is disappointing here.The one scene in the film which could have really been fun -- at the skating rink -- was so fake looking that you simply couldn't buy into it.
In certain scenes Douglas Fairbanks sounded just like Ronald Colman.This becomes a mad caper type of film where Broadway luminary Irene Dunne meets up with fan Douglas Fairbanks who is a care-free guy and after a day of frolicking together, they decide to wed.Guy Kibbee and Alice Brady play her parents and Lucille Ball her sister, who is also her understudy in the Broadway production and is quite envious of her.It is at the end of the film that Dunne realizes that the 3 are nothing more than parasites who are living off her fame and fortune and see Fairbanks as a threat to all that.The drunken scenes and ice skating scenes just add to the flavor of a very average film.
"Joy of Living" is a pleasant film that is suitable for the whole family.
Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. are the leads, and do well as Maggie and Dan. The screenplay is weak for a plot that surely needs some injections of laughter and energy.
When the owner, played by Billy Gilbert, makes the announcement, Dan and Maggie act like other patrons and look in a direction to see the famous singer.
Is it?""Joy of Living" is nowhere near the funniest or best films by Dunne or Fairbanks.