Divorce in the Family

So child star Jackie Cooper would have been TEN in this film, as Terry, son of the archeologist. Veteran actor Lewis Stone was probably best known as Dad in the Andy Hardy films. was also Great in "Grand Hotel". Maurice Murphy is the other son "Al", was about 20 at this time. anyhoo... mom remarries, and now Terry is very sad, and misses his father very much. Living with the new "dad" comes with so many new rules and strange meals, that Terry is not a happy boy. over the weekend, the older brother is more interested in girls, and mom is interested in the new dad, so Terry is feeling left out. Perfect role for Jackie Cooper, as he was used to playing the lead, down-trodden child, going through the growing pains. when the poop hits the fan, will the family stick together? the family members need each other, but now who is in the inner circle? Directed by Charles Reisner. had started as an actor in the silents (like Jackie Cooper !) and moved into the talkies around 1929. Worked with so many comedians, like Charlie Chapllin, Jack Benny, Marx Brothers, Abbot & Costello. Never won an oscar, but had a pretty good career! this one is pretty good. doesn't really cover any new ground, but is probably aimed at a younger audience.

... and had it not been for that aspect and good performances by the cast, this probably would have been a 5/10.

John Parker (Lewis Stone) is a recently divorced archaeologist and father of two sons. He invites his sons out on his latest dig in the desert southwest. When his youngest son, Terry (Jackie Cooper), returns home he finds a greatly changed domestic situation. His mother has married a local physician, Dr. Shumaker (Conrad Nagel). They live in a different house, and the doctor says he is Terry's new dad. This is not too shocking if you understand that, at the time, in the case of divorce fathers usually just completely exited their childrens' lives. Even in the case of death of the mother, an aunt would usually take over raising the children and the father would still exit the chidrens' lives other than providing material support.

Terry and Shumaker, from the beginning, rub each other the wrong way. Shumaker admits that since he has never been a parent and has been a lifelong bachelor up to this point that he has a lot to learn, but he treats Terry too much like a patient, trying to regulate what he does and what he eats past what you'd expect a controlling mother to do. He means well, but he smothers the boy in some ways and ignores him in others. When Terry's much older brother Al returns home from military school Terry is expecting some relief and some back up, but then Al falls for the girl next door and forgets all about Terry. Complications ensue.

Watching this film right after viewing "Skippy" I can really appreciate Norman Taurog's tight direction in that film. This film meanders too much, and Cooper's performance gets too whiney at times. Lewis Stone is good as the father of the two boys, but it is unclear why he abandoned his dig in the southwest to move back to his cabin near to where his sons live in order to be near them and then doesn't let them know he is there until he has been there a long time, like he is some sort of "ghost of dad".

This well acted MGM drama about two boys struggling to adapt to a new father is relatively well-written if ultimately far-fetched. Jackie Cooper is the annoying tow-headed youngster whose mother and father (Lois Wilson and Lewis Stone) separate, with Wilson remarrying the town doctor, played by Conrad Nagel. Cooper can't adjust, and Stone has some trouble getting used to having a young boy around the house, so the sparks fly, as Nagel hopes to regain custody of Cooper and his older brother (Maurice Murphy). Nagel is particularly fine, as is Stone, but Cooper is annoying and Wilson is merely adequate as his mother. There's a nice set-bound recreation of the Sacramento River delta, though, and the film does a good job of keeping your attention.

Jackie Cooper was the first of the 'BIG' Child-Stars of the post 'Silent' era. His training period was with the HAL ROACH STUDIOS and the LITTLE RASCAL's and broke into the 'big-time' with SKIPPY (1931) Paramount, see our review for details. Snatched up by M.G.M. he was their mainstay Child-Star from 1931>1936. Until upstaged first by Freddie Bartholomew, then Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Jackie's main sthick was to appeal endearing and 'cry on cue'.

DIVORCE IN THE FAMILY (1932) features a still topical story. The adjustment of the Children after their Parents divorce. The characters are represented by 'Fall' Lewis Stone's and 'Spring' Lois Wilson's divorce, 'Summer' Conrad Nagel is the new Husband and Step-Father. Jackie has trouble adjusting to the new situation. Older Brother Maurice Murphy, is more interested in his new 'main squeeze' Jean Parker then supporting Jackie. Misunderstandings abound, causing a crisis that nearly ends tragically for all. For details watch the Movie.

Now Nagel's character, a Doctor is a little stiff and unfamiliar with how to handle his new charges. Jackie though makes it impossible to sympathize with his character either. From their first meeting to almost the last reel he either acts irresponsibly or whines. Followed by a unusual amount of 'Cooper Tears'. Once or twice in a Picture is O.K. but NOT this much! After five (5) years the Public had wearied of this act and had moved on. The shelf life of a Child-Star was limited to how long they were 'cute'. After that it was change and/or grow-up. Either becoming a Adult-Actor or move on to something else.

Terry (Jackie Cooper) and old brother Al Parker are at an archaeological dig site with their father John Parker. Their parents are divorced. The summer is ending and Terry has to go back to his mother who reveals that she has married Dr. Shumaker. Al gets out of military school and comes back to live with his new family.

This family drama is struggling to maintain a tone. Jackie Cooper is doing some broad kiddie comedy. The family dysfunction seems more adult serious. There is friction between the two sides and it keeps the movie unstable. This may work better if it steered into Terry's childish story and keeping the adult story a bit of a mystery to him. This should be Terry's coming-of-age story.