JOY OF LIVING

US, 1938, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Irene Dunne, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, Alice Brady, Guy Kibee, Lucille Ball, Eric Blore, Jean Dixon, Warren Hymer, Billy Gilbert.
Directed by Tay Garnett.

Joy of Living is a light and frothy screwball comedy of the late '30s. Irene Dunne is at home in this kind of film (Theodora Goes Wild). Douglas Fairbanks is a debonair type of hero. It focuses on a musical comedy star, her serious supporting of an irresponsible family. Fairbanks charms her to make decisions for herself and leave the family. Included in the family are Alice Brady and Guy Kibbee as the parents and Lucille Ball as the younger sister. There are Jerome Kern songs. Direction is by Tay Garnett.

1. Entertaining screwball comedy? Of its time?

2. Black and white photography, atmosphere of the '30s, costumes and decor? The cast? Jerome Kern's songs?

3. Margaret, her performance, acclaim? The pressure of her family, her talkative mother, drinking father, sister as understudy, the twins? Her continued devotion to them? Stan Brewster following her, her having him arrested, change of heart, parole? The outing, drinking, skating, light-hearted and talking? Taking him home? The parents' scandal? Marrying him? The dilemma at the door - going in for her family, listening to them complain, leaving, taking off her shoes and going with Stan? The joy of living?

4. Stan, his background, the ships, following Margaret, arrested, the court and his pleading? The sentence, parole? Outings with her, drinking, dancing, singing, skating, the buffoonery of his knockabout comedy? Margaret coming to see him, the marriage, putting things straight to her? Waiting for her and the happy ending?

5. The family: the drinking father, the nagging mother, the sister understudy, the young man and his irresponsibility, the terrible twins? The contrast with Margaret's secretary and her support?

6. Values of responsibility, living?