★ 7 / 10
The suitably grandly named Carleton family spend much
CinemaSerf
The suitably grandly named Carleton family spend much of their time fleecing wealthy people on the Côte D'Azur. When one of their scams backfires, they are…
The suitably grandly named Carleton family spend much of their time fleecing wealthy people on the Côte D'Azur. When one of their scams backfires, they are politely asked to quit the country. As they board the train, serendipity gives them one last chance as they encounter the elderly, and fabulously wealthy "Miss Fortune" (Minnie Dupree). There seems to have been a spate of films made in the late 1930s involving derailed trains, and here is another one: this time they rescue the old lady and she invites them to take up lodgings with her. Janet Gaynor ("George-Anne") and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. ("Richard") decide to play this straight for a change, hopeful that despite the suspicions of her savvy attorney "Mr. Anstruther" (Henry Stephenson) they will encourage the old spinster to leave them her estate. It's a gentle tale of redemption this, well cast and adapted from the original Ida Wylie novel. Paulette Goddard provides some mischievous love interest for Fairbanks, and Billie Burke again delightfully emulates a porcelain doll in this last on-screen performance for an agreeably on-form Gaynor. It is not, perhaps, a film that you will remember for long - but it is a well constructed, engaging drama with solid - not great - performances all round.
★ 8 / 10
A Delightful Treat
ferbs54
What a delightful treat this little movie turned out to be! Not daffy enough to be considered a screwball yet too amusing to be regarded as anything but a…
What a delightful treat this little movie turned out to be! Not daffy enough to be considered a screwball yet too amusing to be regarded as anything but a comedy, "The Young In Heart" (1938) shows us what happens when an entire nuclear family of con artists finally gains a conscience, while living with a sweet, rich old lady who they are trying to bilk. And what a bunch of performers have been collected to portray that family! Roland "Topper" Young (in heart) plays the father, Sahib; everyone's favorite twittery witch, Billie Burke, is the mom; Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is the son; and Janet Gaynor, here in her last role before her comeback 20 years later (in "Bernardine"), plays the daughter. All give delicious comedic performances, and are ably abetted by former stage actress Minnie Dupree, excellent and understated as the little old lady, and Paulette Goddard, who Dougy is trying to woo. This is a David Selznick picture--it came between the previous year's "A Star Is Born" and the following year's "GWTW"--and is yet another class production for the legendary showman. But the real operative word for this film is "charm," which it exudes more than any other single ingredient. And my goodness, just how pretty is Janet Gaynor here, right before her retirement? Well, she makes even the yummy-looking Paulette Goddard look second best, and that should tell you something! Anyway, all in all, this picture is a real joy, and the crisp-looking DVD offered here only adds to the pleasure.
★ 7 / 10
The Young in Heart - Art Deco dream!
kash001
I won't duplicate what other reviews have said about the charming plot, actors and the story line, they have said it well enough. But one thing that I found…
I won't duplicate what other reviews have said about the charming plot, actors and the story line, they have said it well enough. But one thing that I found unmentioned are the beautiful Art Deco settings and feel to the film; it's an Art Deco lovers dream. The office that Paulette Goddard works in and where she meets Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is stunning to say the least. The showroom where the Flying Wombat cars (1938 Phantom Corsairs)are sold is equally beautiful. And then there are the cars, they have to be one of the most gorgeous cars ever designed. I looked into their history it's too bad that they never made it into production. I'm also a terrier fancier so I was so pleased to see Sealyham terriers worked into the story, a lot of them(the very last shot of the movie is well worth waiting for) They were very popular in Hollywood during the 1930's and early '40's and unfortunately have almost disappeared entirely. All in all, a beautifully made film that will leave you feeling good. A little corny but what's wrong with that?
75%
AUDIENCE
· 250 ratings
7.3/10
2K
