Dorathen Better Late Then Never

Contentar Best movie of this year hands down!

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Sarita Rafferty There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

jacobs-greenwood Jean Parker plays Sally Moore, a young dancer and instructor of children in her craft amid the theaters off Broadway in New York City. She's engaged to marry Joe Lacy (Paul Page). On the night before their wedding, their friends, including her roommate Joan (Una Merkel) and her boyfriend Gus (Stuart Erwin), throw a big party for them in the apartment that the girls share. Joe chases Jean around the apartment with a photographer trying to have a picture taken of them for the newspaper. Jean is resisting because she says it's bad luck to photograph the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. When she runs out on the fire escape, it collapses and she falls several floors to the street below.Later at a hospital, Dr. Spear (Samuel Hinds) tells Jean that she'll have to wear a special shoe for the rest of her life because there is nothing more he can do for her. When she presses him, he admits that there is a doctor overseas who could operate on her so that she could dance again, but her financial situation makes that option impossible. Though Joe has paid for all her health-care, he also makes it clear that he no longer wants to be with Jean, even though he'll "go through with it" (their wedding) if she insists. She tearfully relieves him of his obligation and Joan makes him feel like the heel he is as he departs. Jean has learned a doll making & repairing skill while in the hospital which will provide her a means to make a living.Joan is a supportive roommate and friend whose boyfriend Gus is a schemer that's constantly trying to find an easy way to make money. She tries to get Jean to date again and "forces" her to accept an invitation from the local "Have a Heart" ice cream vendor Jimmie Flaherty (James Dunn), who so far doesn't know about Jean's condition. Jimmie is a nice Irishman, though he does have a tendency to let his temper get the best of him, causing him to be somewhat volatile in situations which get his dander up. For instance, he punches out a beer man who kicks Jean's dog after the dog had caused him to spill his load. However, Jimmie has impressed his boss Mr. Schauber (Willard Robertson) into promoting him to a management position. This happens on the same day on which he's made a date with Jean, who also finds out on that same day that the European doctor who can fix her leg is coming to America. Dr. Spear tells Jean and Joan that they'll need only $500 for hospital expenses to correct her handicap. Joan tells Jean that between them, and some money Gus has, they have enough for the operation.In order to take Jean out on the date, Jimmie gets a co-worker (Edward Brophy, uncredited) to lend him the keys to company car, a convertible. Joan provides Jean with galoshes to hide her unsightly shoe (and condition) from Jimmie and she successfully avoids dancing with him that night, on which they both fall in love for one another. However, when Jimmie returns the car to the garage, he discovers that Jean's dog is hiding in the back seat; it barks and alerts the night watchman. Jimmie retrieves the dog and tries to elude the night watchman by hiding in an office, which unbeknownst to him is being burglarized. While pursuing Jimmie, the night watchman is knocked out by a white shoed burglar, who is attacked by Jean's dog such that Jimmie notices a silver dollar tattoo on the back of the right hand of the man he assumed was the night watchman. So, he successfully escapes with the dog, unaware of the burglary.When returning the dog to Jean, Jimmie discovers her condition but vows his true love for her regardless of her condition. For some reason, Jean never tells Jimmie about her pending operation. The night watchman was able to identify Jimmie and, unable to convince Mr. Schauber of his innocence, he is arrested for stealing $400. Convinced of his innocence and out of her love for Jimmie, Jean takes her operation money to Schauber to ask that he have the charges against her boyfriend dropped such that he can be released. Even though Schauber agrees to her confidentiality agreement (she doesn't want Jimmie to know that she's bailed him out), Schauber's secretary (Muriel Evans) spills the beans to Jimmie, jealously telling him that Jean didn't even believe he was innocent. So, the volatile Jimmie breaks his relationship with Jean, vowing to repay the debt, and leaves on a ship to earn the dough.The rest of the film involves Joan finally agreeing to try one of Gus's get rich quick schemes so that they can raise the money for Jean's operation while the European doctor is still in the U.S., with comical results ... and, of course, the requisite Hollywood happy ending for all. Directed and co-written by David Butler.

kidboots James Dunn was one of the finds of 1931, his performance in "Bad Girl" as a young husband trying his best to give his wife everything she needed was a revelation. He should have gone to the top but by 1934 he was suddenly in the limelight again as Shirley Temple's favourite co-star - he made three of her best films that year. "Have a Heart" shows what a sensitive heart felt actor he was, given the right material. His co-star was Jean Parker who, until she got to show her zippy, exuberant side in the late 30s, early 40s, seemed made to order for weepy sentimental heroines. Their roles in "Have a Heart" were both perfect for them even though Dunn must have felt a little "deja vu" with the names Jimmy and Sally - he had already made a picture of that name the year before. Jean Parker plays Sally who runs a children's dancing class (cute Juanita Quigley is the little girl who has an embarrassing accident). Her fiancé Joe (Paul Page) is already showing his true colors when he forbids her from continuing on with her classes once they are married. The light hearted skylarking at their engagement party takes a shocking turn when Sally falls from a balcony and Joe, being the prince he is, can't wait to ditch her especially when he visits her in hospital and sees she has to wear an orthopaedic boot!!!Back at the flat she settles down to life as a doll maker and repairer and catches the eye of the local "Have a Heart" ice cream man Jimmy (James Dunn). She is impressed with his winning ways with the neighbourhood kids and the fact that he hates cruelty toward animals. Of course she tries to keep her affliction from him but even when he finds out he still thinks he is the luckiest man in the world. When Jimmy is returning a car to the ice cream factory late one night he walks in on a robbery. Of course he is blamed for the theft and when Sally hands over the money she has saved for her operation hoping it will put things right with his boss he feels frustrated, thinking the chance of finding the real thief has gone. The only clue he has is a silver dollar imprint on the robber's hand.This is such a sweet lovely movie and yes, I cried heaps during it. Jean Parker was sweet without being syrupy and James Dunn bought his usual tough sensitivity to his role as the ice cream man who wanted more from life. Rounding out the cast was Paul Page, only a couple of years before he was a bland leading man, now he was perfect as a first class heel. Una Merkel was perfection as usual as Sally's loyal pal. Without her Sally wouldn't have achieved much!! Stuart Erwin was Una's hapless boyfriend, yearning to be a racketeer but settling for the police force as a step in the right direction!!

Bucs1960 This film is typical of the "little" productions that made up the double bills in theaters during the 30's and 40's. It's dated but enjoyable and is great for those rainy Saturdays when you are snuggled up on the couch. The stars are faces familiar to all movie buffs and of course, any film with Una Merkel is worth a watch. She plays the pal of Jean Parker and wisecracks her way through the movie in her own inimitable style. Along with Glenda Farrell and Joan Blondell, Merkel was tops at playing a "dame" with a quick answer and rapid fire repartee. James Dunn, who went on to play his greates part in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", is Parker's love interest, a breezy Irishman who gets himself in trouble but in the end, prevails. Stu Erwin plays.....well, Stu Erwin. His parts never varied much but he was always a welcome addition to any film. The story is a little forced but still provides a chuckle or two. This is the type of film that leaves you with a warm feeling and wondering why you never heard of it before. So if you like the era of the 1930s and don't expect a classic story with lavish sets and big name actors, this one's for you. It's fun!

pcmthmes19 This is a romantic comedy that is funny in parts, but the romance story does not hold up well. Jean Parker plays a young woman who has an accident which causes her fiance to run out on her. James Dunn is the hero who woos her next and is not turned off by her "handicap" (according to the film). A very busy plot that was too melodramatic to hold my interest all that well. Una Merkel (fast-talking cynical dame) and Stu Erwin (country bumpkin oaf) are the comic relief, and they are as good as ever. But otherwise poor acting. Still, well worth seeing once - I caught it on TCM.