User Reviews

This version of "In Love With Life" is the public domain version--a severely truncated one at that. the entire first portion of the film with the professor begin dismissed because of his objections to the college's misguided priorities is missing as is the meeting of the professor with the irrepressibly adorable Dickie Moore in the park. In fact, almost 15 minutes of the film was chopped out of this version--so keep this in mind when you read my review.

The film is very obviously a reworking of the story of "Little Lord Fauntleroy". Why they changed the story like they did, I am uncertain. But, it IS possible they did this to avoid having to pay royalties--something pretty common for poverty row production companies like Chesterfield. One warning about it, however, is that while the film is enjoyable, it is, at times, so incredibly sticky sweet that diabetics might lapse into comas when watching--so beware! The public domain version begins with the unemployed professor seeking a job from a very grouchy old man. He disliked the old guy thoroughly (and even Will Rogers would feel the same), so although he did need the job, he tells the old guy what he thinks of him! Well, although the old guy is a cantankerous jerk, he respects the professor's pluck and gives him the job. The job is to care for and educate poor little 'ol Dickie Moore.

So why is the old guy suddenly caring for his grandson? Well, it seems that his daughter had run off with some ne'er do well his telling her not to marry the guy. The father was right--the new husband was a creep. But, to punish her, he's cut her off--and now she's penniless and in need for herself and her son (Dickie). BUT, the old guy is vindictive--he agrees to raise the boy but only if she would disappear out of the boy'd if forever! So where's it all to do next? Well, see it for yourself. However, it is a nice little tale about family and redemption that you can really enjoy if you don't mind how heavy-handed it can be as well as that it really is a ripped-off plot.

By the way, if you do watch this movie, get a look at that bizarre place where the professor takes Dickie. I guess it's supposed to be 1930s version of Chuck-e-Cheese but it defies description. Seriously....it's so bizarre and the kiddie cabaret scenes are mega-creepy. I could say more, but you just need to see it for yourself....yikes!

Bitterly hurt over what he considered a major betrayal, wealthy but miserable Claud Gillingwater orders visiting daughter Lila Lee out of the house and to leave grandson Dickie Moore behind and never see him again. She's down on her luck after the death of the husband he didn't approve of, having forbidden her to marry him, an order she refused. So his vengeance is cruel and unjust, but he gets Moore and even wins over his affections, only because Moore didn't find out what grumpy did. Financial issues involving the market begin to affect Gillingwater, all the while not knowing that his assistant Onslow Stevens is seeing Lee on the side and keeping her up to date.

Made before he was grumpy to Shirley Temple, this isn't going to win Gillingwater any new fans as he's pretty rotten, even though onscreen in other films he was one of the most loveable grouches on screen. Moore gets a lot of sappy material (talking to Lee on the phone, thinking that she's the operator), and other than when he tells off nasty housekeeper Rosita Marstini, Stevens gives a dull performance. After 30 seconds of an obnoxious Betty Boop imitation by a Meglan ("maudlin") Kiddie, I had to fast forward through the rest of that scene. You'll have to check for cavities by the time this is over, and I don't need to see the missing 16 minutes to get more sapped out.