My Bill

My Bill (1938)

*** (out of 4)

Predictable but irresistible "B" picture from Warner features Kay Francis as a widowed mother who finds herself broke and trying to support her four children anyway she can. When her dead husband's sister takes the three oldest children, it leaves the mother and her youngest son Bill (Dickie Moore) to try and right the ship. MY BILL runs just 64-minutes and it contain some of the most predictable moments of melodrama that you're ever going to see but at the same time the film is just so charming that you can't help but fall in love with the characters and their situation. The screenplay by future director Vincent Sherman isn't the greatest thing ever written but it's serviceable enough. The characters either have wings attached to their backs or rattles meaning that there's really no "development" as characters are either good or evil but that's okay. The film manages to work because the actors are simply so good in their roles. I dare say this here is one of the best performances I've seen from Francis. She perfectly handles this role and really brings it to life no matter what is asked from her. Whether she's playing the sweet mother, the strong mother or the one facing certain drama, Francis is perfect all around. Moore is also brilliant in his role as the tough-as-nails kid who stands up for his mom at all costs. Bonita Granville, Anita Louise and East Side Kid Bobby Jordan play the three oldest children and it's always nice to see them. John Litel has a small but good role as does Helena Phillips Evans and Elizabeth Risdon. Fans of "B" movies are certainly going to enjoy this little gem and if you are a fan of Turner Classic Movies and the countless forgotten movies they show, then many of the cast are going to be familiar to you. Everything here really adds up to a nice little gem and it's certainly worth catching.

Based on Tom Barry's play, a widow (played by Kay Francis) runs out of money, and her three children abandon her. This drama explores the financial difficulties facing a family in the Depression and the fine character of the youngest, Bill. On a personal note, I enjoyed this film very much, in particular the performance by Dickie Moore as young 'Bill'. In fact, Moore's Bill had more charm and raw human emotion in his little finger than Mickey Rooney in the entire series of Andy Hardy films. In my opinion, that little guy (Bill) was pure heart, and took me back to the Jackie-Coogan character in Chaplin's 'The Kid'. In many respects, at 13 years old, Moore pretty much carried this film.

Overall, the supporting cast was rather bland, i.e. the three brats and the banker. Kay Francis plays the typically concerned mom. Ending was a bit too quick-paced, and much too optimistic --- although I highly enjoyed Bill and his mother, a.k.a "Sweetheart", finally kicking their evil Aunt Caroline out the door, i.e. "...that dog-faced buffoon!!...SCRAM!"

A slightly predictable ending, however all together satisfying picture providing some strong family values.

I loved the film "My Bill". It was suspenseful, crisp, well set, and the actors and actresses did a magnificent job. Dickie Moore was great beyond imagination in this movie. His expression and voice inflections were so natural. The settings were well thought out. The sequence of events seemed to flow in perfect succession; that is something that allows the viewing audience to appreciate the simplicity of the plot and have time to concentrate of the great talent being presented. Choices made for the various actors in this movie have been decided with real talent! This is a movie that remains ageless; one that will never go out of style. I guess I would sum it up by saying I believe it can be considered a true "classic". Although he was just a young boy, he displayed the qualities of a seasoned actor, which he remained for his entire career.

I highly recommend this film to everyone. I just wish I could personally tell him how great I think he is. His kind are rare and are so appreciated. They will remain forever in our hearts for their greatness!

In her suburban Massachusetts mansion, extravagant widow Kay Francis (as Mary Colbrook) tries to manage the needs of her four children and a maid, despite having lost the family fortune. After he is unable to buy a $1.50 tie on credit, serious teenager Bobby Jordan (as Reginald "Reggie" Colbrook Jr.) breaks the unhappy news to the family. Piano-practicing sister Bonita Granville (as Gwendolyn "Gwen" Colbrook) is embarrassed when men repossess her instrument. Older daughter Anita Louise (as Muriel Colbrook) won't attend a party with fiancé Maurice Murphy (as Lynn Willard) unless she has a new dress...

Only pre-teen Dickie Moore (as William "Bill" Colbrook) seems unconcerned with material things. He calls Ms. Francis "Sweetheart" and supports his mom unconditionally. Worried about affording college, young Jordan leads the older three children to abandon Francis for exacting aunt Elisabeth Risdon (as Caroline Colbrook). Remaining loyal, young Moore gets a job selling newspapers and asks ailing old Helena Phillips Evans (as Adelaide Crosby) for a loan. Also helpful is banker John Litel (as John C. Rudlin). He has a secret connection to the financially strapped family...

Original playwright Tom Barry's cutting edge comedy about a Depression-era family in financial crisis began its successful run on Broadway a full year before the 1929 Wall Street crash. First filmed under its original title "Courage" (1930), this adaptation is briskly directed by John Farrow. He captures the energy of every first good take. A "stage to screen" approach makes up for the eldest daughter seeming a little too old, and some scattered "Colbrook family" accents...

It's marvelously cast. Francis is perfect as the kooky mom, playing with scene-stealing Moore to a draw. Jordan (the "Dead End Kid") and Granville (aka "Nancy Drew") broadly hit every mark. Veteran Risdon is ideally mean and Ms. Phillips Evans shows what she can do with more screen time. Able-bodied maid Bernice Pilot (as Beulah) drinks for her "rheumatism" and the plot subversively hints Mr. Litel fathered Moore. A surplus of former leading actors in "bit" parts adds to the fun.

******** My Bill (7/7/38) John Farrow ~ Kay Francis, Dickie Moore, Bobby Jordan, Bonita Granville

I recently had the opportunity to see this film on TCM. What a wonderful film. Kay Francis was a very underrated actress. She can portray any type of character, and in this film she portrays a mother at the end of her rope trying to raise four children alone. Her youngest son, Bill adores his mother and even calls her 'sweetheart'. The relationship between the mother and children is very interesting and in some instances is still very contemporary. This premise might seem corny by todays standards, but that does not make the film any less effective. It is a heart warming film, and makes you feel good when it ends. There aren't many films of today that leave you totally satisfied from beginning to end, but this film fulfilled that! If you have the chance to see this, please do... you won't regret it!