Change of Heart

Change of Heart (1934)

** (out of 4)

Four friends (Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, James Dunn, Ginger Rogers) graduate college and decide to move from California to New York City so that they can make their dreams come true. At first the four stay together but soon personal relationships start to tear them apart. CHANGE OF HEART has pretty much been forgotten by everyone except for fans of Gaynor and Farrell as this here would be their final film together. They did a total of twelve together and I think it's easy to say that this one here isn't among their best. There are many problems with this film but I think it's rather obvious that the screenplay is simply tired and it doesn't give us anything fresh or original. If you've ever seen a romantic-drama-comedy then you're going to see every twist and turn coming. Even by 1934 standards this thing is pretty cliché ridden and even worse is that it's all too predictable. As you'd expect, along the way there are crossed romances going on. Person A loves person B but person B is in love with person C who in returns is in love with person A. The only thing that keeps this film remotely entertaining is the terrific cast led by Gaynor who is always bright enough to light up any film no matter how routine it is. She's certainly the stand-out here but Rogers is also very good in her role of the not-so-nice girl trying to become a rich actress. Both Farrell and Dunn are good as well and we've even got Dick Foran in his first role. Fans of Shirley Temple will find her here playing a girl named Shirley. CHANGE OF HEART has been forgotten over the years and it's easy to see why. The only ones needing to check this out are fans of the actors.

CHANGE OF HEART is a disappointing, by the numbers drama despite a good cast headed by Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Ginger Rogers, and James Dunn. The foursome is shown on college graduation day as they plan to go as a group to New York to make their fortunes, Janet as a writer, Charlie in big business, Ginger as a stage actress, and James as a radio crooner. They room together in apartment but after several months in the Big Apple fail to make any headway. Curiously, none of the group has ever really dated although Janet is in love with Charlie who is in love with Ginger who is in love with James who is in love with Janet. It strains credibility than no one other James (gently rebuffed by Janet) has tried to make something of it.

Ginger is successful in crashing social circles and is pursued by a millionaire and for awhile leaves the little clique. James achieves his dream of being a radio star in a ludricious plot twist by confronting a radio producer and demanding to be heard (which we hear about but don't see, it would have been too ridiculous as an actual scene). When Ginger announces her engagement to the millionaire, lovesick Charlie is suddenly at death's door with a vague sickness that leaves him bedridden and in need of Janet's constant attention and nursing. Charlie pulls through, announces he is in love with Janet now, she confesses her long crush on him and they become engaged. Meanwhile, fickle Ginger breaks off with the money man, writes Charlie a mush note confessing her love and while Charlie goes through with the marriage to Janet, he and Ginger start seeing each other for "lunch".

It's disappointing to see this likable cast in this silly soap opera which consistently lacks credibililty. Janet and Charlie, of course, are one of the great screen teams yet it's absurd that he could suddenly fall in love with her after years of thinking of her as just a pal. The movie refuses to accept the possibility that his new affection is due to gratitude and sensitivity for all she did for him during his illness but the viewer won't be so unrealistic.

Gaynor, Farrell, and Dunn were all in their late twenties playing young people just out of college and while it's acceptable for actors in that age range to play such, trouble is Dunn, basically a character actor, has no youthfulness in his persona and seems a decade older than his real age. Ginger Rogers, newly a "name" thanks to her first picture with Fred Astaire, does well in an atypical role as a blonde bombshell (though several of her early roles were also flirts) but her character lacks credibility as someone whose supposed to be a close friend yet also a potential homewrecker. She goes through three beaus in a film set in about a year's time and while there is a promise she will settle down with her first choice, can there be any doubt this gal will soon encounter man number four? And don't get me started on the insane subplot of Janet working at a charity shop with elderly Beryl Mercier which discreetly works as a means to find homes for orphaned babies, Mercier and Gaynor convincing the wealthy people who donate their old clothes that what they really want are kids of their own!

Of note is the (very) fleeting appearance of Shirley Temple as the gang is on the plane to New York. Shirley is an extra in a scene that runs barely ten seconds, has no lines and is only seen in profile for a moment and then just the back of her head. Apparently filmed before but released after STAND UP AND CHEER, the film that was Shirley's big break, the producers of CHANGE OF HEART manage to give her end-credit billing for this, probably one of the tiniest parts ever in a movie to receive screen credit outside of films that billed a supporting actor who actually wasn't in the final cut of a film!

I thought this was a sweet and sincere movie, capturing a sense of New York in the 1930s. Both Janet Gaynor and Charlie Farrell are perfect as the innocent lovers, and Ginger Rogers nails the role of the egotistical yet classy "friend." I did think the last scene was a bit abrupt, but otherwise, a well-done movie. For those who enjoy heart-warming light romances, this is a treat.

Along with Janet Gaynor, Charlie Farrell and Ginger Rogers, the cast is filled with stellar talent, not the least of which is Shirley Temple in the airplane scene. Beryl Mercer, Jane Darwell, James Dunn and Mischa Auer all do laudable jobs, although Dunn's role is unevenly scripted.

I found the close-ups in this movie to be very well done. The shaving scene with Farrell and Gaynor is a classic--full of sentiment yet composed. Also, the scene between the doctor and Gaynor, with the camera just catching Gaynor from the back of her head, was masterful.

It's a joy to watch understatement so beautifully played!

Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, James Dunn, and Ginger Rogers all experience a "Change of Heart" in this 1934 film about college graduates moving to New York City to "make it." It's the last of 12 pairings of Gaynor and Farrell.

I love old films because of what they tell us about the past - you could read it in a history book, but somehow, it's not the same. It took FIFTEEN HOURS to fly coast to coast in 1934. And I complain that it takes five now. Outrageous. If you look really fast when they're on the plane, you'll see Shirley Temple getting a paper airplane. Those curls are unmistakable.

Gaynor is in love with Farrell, Farrell is in love with Rogers, Dunn is in love with Gaynor. Rogers is a golddigger and takes off early on to be with rich and important people who can further her acting career. You can guess all of the rest.

Rogers is beautiful and vivacious in her role, Gaynor is sweet and likable, Dunn is charming and cuddly, and Farrell is mysterious and handsome. It's really a lovely movie with an attractive cast that captures the excitement of young people starting out in the big city.

Change of Heart is the last of 12 films Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell starred in together. From the late silent period til this 1934 film, they were among the most popular of screen teams. Here they play college graduates aspiring to make it in New York City along with pals Ginger Rogers and James Dunn.

Pleasant story of ambition and love among the young set. The film also boasts some solid supporting players, including Jane Darwell, Beryl Mercer (excellent as the salvage lady), Mischa Auer, Dick Foran (billed as Nick?), Irene Franklin, Lillian Harmer, Bess Flowers, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Nella Walker, Mary Carr, Mary Gordon, Shirley Temple (on the plane) and James Gleason.

This was one of Rogers' last supporting parts (same year she became a star in Flying Down to Rio). She plays (she's excellent) the selfish Madge who marries a rich man rather than stick with the group and find work. This is probably Rogers' most unsympathetic role. Dunn is a bit much as the Irish crooner. Farrell plays the lovesick goon, and Gaynor (one of the most sympathetic stars of the 30s) plays the fiery redhead who keeps everything going.

Nice film with a good view of New York City in 1934.