In the 1930s and 40s, there were quite a few exploitation films that purported to be exposés on the danger of bad parenting. I've seen quite a few of them and most are really crappy--with terrible acting, writing and production values. This film, however, is different in that it is an A-quality picture--with top writing, acting and a really nice overall production. And, unlike so many of these films, it's really worth seeing.
This film is about Roberta (Bonita Granville), a 13 year-old who comes from a very wealthy family. However, despite having so much privilege, the child is miserable and lonely. Her parents are completely self-absorbed and in one heartbreaking scene, the child is left to celebrate her birthday with her servants and no one else. Eventually, this lonely girl meets a younger boy, Pinkie (Stymie Beard*) and they soon become fast friends. However, her very nasty butler later throws Pinkie out of the house--treating him like garbage because he's black. For the most part, this butler and the other servants are a cold and unlikable lot.
Eventually, Roberta runs away and this isn't at all surprising. When the family butler finds her, he's pretty nasty and offers no understanding at all--manhandling her into the car and driving her home. However, Roberta has become a real brat and begins fighting with him as he's driving. As a result, they have an accident and someone is killed. Roberta, seeing a chance to have revenge on the butler, tells the police he's been drinking and was at fault and the driver is sentenced to prison. Soon, however, the truth comes out and as a result, Roberta is sent to reform school.
This reform school is actually a very nice place and they try very hard to make her feel welcome. But Roberta is an angry young lady and makes herself as hated as possible. At this point, the judge is more than willing to send her to a more prison-like facility but the head of the school (Delores Costello**) begs for more time. Eventually, it pays off and Roberta blossoms and becomes a positive and likable young lady. What's next? Well, here is where the film loses a bit of its believability as the parents start to wonder if perhaps they bore some responsibility in making Roberta a brat. Hard to believe, absolutely. But it did make for a sweet tug at your heart sort of ending. And, I must add that the final tracking shot was incredibly well done.
There's actually a lot to like about this film. Foremost, Granville did a great job conveying both sadness and brattiness. A lesser actress couldn't have carried it off so well. The script is also nice. Some might think it all is a bit too schmaltzy and unrealistic--and for some, I am sure it is. But I thought this was a very nice film--especially because in addition to making an excellent point about parenting, it also makes a wonderful statement about race. The blacks in the film are people--decent, normal people--and that's a rare thing for a film made during that era.
*Stymie is best known for his recurring role as one of the Little Rascals.
**Ms. Costello is best known for being one of John Barrymore's wives.
This film is about Roberta (Bonita Granville), a 13 year-old who comes from a very wealthy family. However, despite having so much privilege, the child is miserable and lonely. Her parents are completely self-absorbed and in one heartbreaking scene, the child is left to celebrate her birthday with her servants and no one else. Eventually, this lonely girl meets a younger boy, Pinkie (Stymie Beard*) and they soon become fast friends. However, her very nasty butler later throws Pinkie out of the house--treating him like garbage because he's black. For the most part, this butler and the other servants are a cold and unlikable lot.
Eventually, Roberta runs away and this isn't at all surprising. When the family butler finds her, he's pretty nasty and offers no understanding at all--manhandling her into the car and driving her home. However, Roberta has become a real brat and begins fighting with him as he's driving. As a result, they have an accident and someone is killed. Roberta, seeing a chance to have revenge on the butler, tells the police he's been drinking and was at fault and the driver is sentenced to prison. Soon, however, the truth comes out and as a result, Roberta is sent to reform school.
This reform school is actually a very nice place and they try very hard to make her feel welcome. But Roberta is an angry young lady and makes herself as hated as possible. At this point, the judge is more than willing to send her to a more prison-like facility but the head of the school (Delores Costello**) begs for more time. Eventually, it pays off and Roberta blossoms and becomes a positive and likable young lady. What's next? Well, here is where the film loses a bit of its believability as the parents start to wonder if perhaps they bore some responsibility in making Roberta a brat. Hard to believe, absolutely. But it did make for a sweet tug at your heart sort of ending. And, I must add that the final tracking shot was incredibly well done.
There's actually a lot to like about this film. Foremost, Granville did a great job conveying both sadness and brattiness. A lesser actress couldn't have carried it off so well. The script is also nice. Some might think it all is a bit too schmaltzy and unrealistic--and for some, I am sure it is. But I thought this was a very nice film--especially because in addition to making an excellent point about parenting, it also makes a wonderful statement about race. The blacks in the film are people--decent, normal people--and that's a rare thing for a film made during that era.
*Stymie is best known for his recurring role as one of the Little Rascals.
**Ms. Costello is best known for being one of John Barrymore's wives.