The Gift of Love

I was quite young (around 14) when I saw this movie on TV. While I could not remember the cast very much at that time, the story and the way the actors/actresses had carried the story through made a lasting impression on me - what it means when any child can be your child - it takes only to show love and how it can fill the gaps in our lives. This story of this film helped me to help many of my friends who did not have their own children and that they can enjoy the gift if they open their minds and hearts to them - as the leading lady impresses upon the husband. The beginning of romance between the two and the moments they draw together and next when we see them as a couple are all well portrayed.

I still remember this movie through the eyes of a 12 year old girl and while I may not be a good critic of quality acting & scripts, I do know that this movie has haunted me since I was 12. It must have had some good qualities but the only other reviews I've read criticized it. I started going to movies with my mother when I was 3 and of the thousands I've seen, this is one of my all time favorites.

Julie (Lauren Bacall) marries theoretical physicist Bill Beck (Robert Stack). He's a real life rocket scientist working for the government. Suddenly, she has persistent heart issues. Fearing an early death leaving Bill alone, she convinces him to adopt an unusual imaginative little girl named Hitty. Bill struggles to connect with the girl with their differing interests.

This is a sentimental melodrama. It's Lauren Bacall's first film after Bogie's death. It needs a small tweak at the start of the movie. They shouldn't need a reason to adopt Hitty. Julie could still be the driving force but the reason to adopt Hitty is Hitty. If she discovers her medical issues later and keeps it a secret, it would be more dramatic with her desperate to join Bill and Hitty together. Her reveal to Bill would also be a great tear jerker moment. Otherwise, this is perfectly fine. The girl is adorable. Bacall is motherly. Stack is awkward around people. It all fits. Bill's too angry after Julie's death. Being depress is good enough. I don't like him yelling at Hitty. This is a solid sentimental melodrama.

This story was so unbelievably corny, this is one of the worse pieces of crap I have seen from the fifties. The dialogue was brightly phony, Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack must cringe at the thought of their appearances in this movie. And the opening title song, Vic Damone crooning as they show various scenes of Lauren Bacall massaging Robert Stack's shoulders and neck! What was that all about??? The film was beautifully done in color (for 1958) but the storyline so bad- what was she doing, trying to train the adopted girl to become her husband's concubine after her inevitable death? I could not stop watching, it was like being at the scene of a disaster. This is definite high camp from the fifties.

Two years after "written on the wind" ,here they are again: Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack ; like in Douglas Sirk's classic ,they get married and they haven't got any children.There the comparison ends .Although the cast and credits and the sparkling colors are enthusing , Jean Negulesco is no match for Sirk.

Besides,this is a remake of "sentimental journey" , in which the leads were Maureen O 'Hara and John Payne ; one should notice that the part of William Bendix , who shared top billing with both stars , has been reduced ,and Lorne Greene who replaces him is only supporting .

Like O'Hara in the original film,one finds it hard to believe Bacall has a heart condition ; ditto for Stark: a masculine man,he's as miscast as Payne .And he's not very credible as an astronomer ,solving his equations . By and large ,"sentimental journey" was more convincing ;a ghostly Julie says :" you both were looking for me ,and you've missed each other "; these appearances beyond the grave -except for the last picture -have been suppressed in the color version: the little girl hears her adoptive mom's voice ,but we do not hear it .Evelyn Rudie is a cute little girl ,but they had her overplay in the scenes when she neighs (brays more like).To have her return to the orphanage was an unnecessary change .

Vic Damone's syrupy song hints at the Fall,when the leaves fall down ,which indicates that the character will have to brace themselves when tragedy strikes.