FULL OF LIFE
US, 1956, 87 Minutes, Black and white.
Judy Holliday, Richard Conte, Salvatore Baccaloni, Esther Minciotti.
Directed by Richard Quine.
Full of Life is an entertaining domestic comedy featuring Judy Holliday. Directed by Richard Quine who had directed her in The Solid Gold Cadillac, she has the opportunity to portray a housewife and mother. She receives enjoyable support from Richard Conte and especially, Salvatore Baccaloni. The film reflects the American domestic style comedy of the late 50s and is dated now. However it is quite an entertaining and charming film.
1. An enjoyable domestic comedy? Its impact in its time, now? Similarity to so many TV serials? Does this lessen its impact?
2. The film as a reflection of America in the 50s, simplicity of beliefs and attitudes, a less complicated charm? Is this true now?
3. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of California, Judy Holliday as an important comedienne? Richard Conte and his combination with her?
4. The significance of the title, as explained, with reference to the house, to Emily as pregnant? An optimistic title?
5. The importance of setting the tone of the family, the Italian background, Nick Rocco and his work, the house and the payment and the mortgage, their way of life, the need for money, the hole in the floor and the need for repairs, Emily's pregnancy? How well was the attention to detail in setting this scene for audience identification and appreciation?
6. The focussing on Emily, her ordinariness, her mistakes (Judy Holliday's flair for comedy), the bond between Nick and Emily, her first pregnancy and the various feelings that she had, sickness, jealousies? Her supporting her husband in his work, her listening to his writing, the varying moods, coping with the housework, with the lady cleaner?
7. Nick as an ordinary young man, his writing career, success and failure, his care for Emily, eg the scene with the rubbing her back, putting up with her moods, being the victim of her moods? His help for her, his memories of his family, the impact of his father and not feeling loved?
8. The sudden accident and its humour, the leading to the train of events for involvement with the Rocco family? A happy accident?
9. The contrast with Poppa, his age, life in the Sacramento Valley, the significance of his life and retirement? The humour of his letter being dictated to his sons? The gulf between himself and his sons and how he felt it? The bonds with Momma? The contrast of the old way of life with the new?
10. How important was the character of Poppa in the film: his character in himself, the migrant, the work that he had built up, the old style beliefs in family and religion, his relationship with his sons? His admiration for Emily and calling her 'Miss Emily'? The preparation of the land as an inheritance? The importance of religion, his arguing about the marriage in the church? And yet the irony of his drinking? His being confronted about the job for the house? His accepting it? The wisdom of his words to Emily?
11. Momma and her role in the family, supporting Poppa, the letters, her fainting and her health? Her listening to Nick and advising him? Her ability to get Poppa to help with the problem of the house?
12. The comedy sequences in the train trip, the revelation? of the bonds between Emily and Poppa, of the differences with Nick, the people on the train, Nick's eyeing the attractive woman, the meal, Poppa and his peasant ways with the bottle of wine, the humour of Nick having the good night's sleep? What did this reveal about them all?
13. Poppa and his contribution to the home, his reaction to the stucco home, his fixing the fireplace? His impact on each of them and their bonds with each other? The importance of his telling stories and eventually the stories were Nick's success? The religious talk, the inviting the priest home, the build-up to the wedding ceremony?
14. The film's comments on marriage, religion and background? The importance of Emily's talk with Nick about his rejection of the Church? The fact of his rebellion against his father and the necessity of making a choice? of their having God in their home? The wisdom about the practicalities of religion and how people give it up for the wrong reasons?
15. The build-up to the birth of the child. the false alarm. Emily in the hospital and her calm in going there? Nick and his praying in the chapel, the arrival of his father? The happiness of the birth, the cheque for the story, the reconciliation between them all. all happening at once? A basis for a happy future?
16. What is the appeal of this kind of optimistic film? women enjoying it because of their identification with the experience of Emily? Men as identifying with Nick? This kind of domestic comedy as a gentle presentation of so much human truth?
