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Drama

Life Begins at Eight-Thirty

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Kathy lives in a cramped New York flat with her father Madden Thomas, a celebrated actor brought down by drink. Lame from an early age and feeling trapped with her father in her small world, Kathy is delighted to meet fellow tenant Robert. When Madden is offered the lead in a new King Lear and Robert lands a composing job in Hollywood, better times seem for a while to beckon.

Release Date : 1942-12-09

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : 20th Century Fox

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Monty Woolley

Character Name : Madden Thomas

Original Name : Monty Woolley

Gender : Male

Ida Lupino

Character Name : Kathy Thomas

Original Name : Ida Lupino

Gender : Female

Cornel Wilde

Character Name : Robert Carter

Original Name : Cornel Wilde

Gender : Male

Sara Allgood

Character Name : Alma Lothian, Robert's Aunt

Original Name : Sara Allgood

Gender : Female

Melville Cooper

Character Name : Barty

Original Name : Melville Cooper

Gender : Male

J. Edward Bromberg

Character Name : Sid Gordon

Original Name : J. Edward Bromberg

Gender : Male

William Demarest

Character Name : Police Officer

Original Name : William Demarest

Gender : Male

Hal K. Dawson

Character Name : Producer

Original Name : Hal K. Dawson

Gender : Male

William Halligan

Character Name : Sgt. McNamara

Original Name : William Halligan

Gender : Male

Milton Parsons

Character Name : announcer

Original Name : Milton Parsons

Gender : Male

Inez Palange

Character Name : Mrs. Spano

Original Name : Inez Palange

Gender : Female

Charles La Torre

Character Name : Mr. Spano

Original Name : Charles La Torre

Gender : Male

James Flavin

Character Name : Policeman

Original Name : James Flavin

Gender : Male

Fay Helm

Character Name : Ruthie

Original Name : Fay Helm

Gender : Female

George Holmes

Character Name : Jerry

Original Name : George Holmes

Gender : Male

Wheaton Chambers

Character Name : Floorwalker

Original Name : Wheaton Chambers

Gender : Male

Bud Geary

Character Name : Cab driver

Original Name : Bud Geary

Gender : Male

Netta Packer

Character Name : Maid

Original Name : Netta Packer

Gender : Female

Colin Campbell

Character Name : Dresser

Original Name : Colin Campbell

Gender : Male

Lee Phelps

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Lee Phelps

Gender : Male

Cyril Ring

Character Name : Box Office Man

Original Name : Cyril Ring

Gender : Male

William Newell

Character Name : Clerk

Original Name : William Newell

Gender : Male

James Metcalf

Character Name : Clerk

Original Name : James Metcalf

Gender : Male

Alec Craig

Character Name : Santa Claus

Original Name : Alec Craig

Gender : Male

Forbes Murray

Character Name :

Original Name : Forbes Murray

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-12-23

Maybe if celebrated actor "Madden" (Monty Woolley) hadn't fallen foul of the bottle, he might have stayed at the top of his game. He didn't, though, and so he has to share his small flat with daughter "Kathy" (Ida Lupino). She hasn't her problems to seek, either. She's lived with this man for all of her life and the consequent limitations, coupled with a gammy leg, are driving her to distraction. Fortunately, serendipity takes some interest in her happiness by bringing "Robert" (Cornel Wilde) to their building, and after a rather boozed-up introduction to her father, he starts to take some interest in the young woman. All they really need is for dad to get a job, then maybe they have a chance of romance and happiness. Perhaps the bard of Stratford-upon-Avon can help out, too? I think you either liked Woolley or you didn't - he certainly wasn't remotely versatile and only had the one characterisation to display. I did enjoy the embittered, sarcastic, personas at which he excelled and here we add loads of bourbon to further intoxicate the mix. Neither Wilde nor Lupino really have enough to get their teeth into, but there's still enough of the story for them to make their presence felt as we head to a conclusion that is pretty predictable, but quite enjoyably arrived at. Is the sun over the yard arm yet? Well it might be at eight-thirty!