The Gift of Love

Maybe not as good as Sentimental Journey - 1946, but then I've never seen the original. I did enjoy watching The Gift Of Love, if only for little Hitty (Evelyn Rudie). She was so adorable and I've always liked Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack. I don't think this movie was at all bad, as some have purported it to be. It was the 50s and movies were like that. B movie or not, it's certainly better than the garbage you see today. Just look at all the remakes of many movies today; they're all terribly done. I can't help being partial to classics and old movies because I was a child in the 50s. Some of my favorite moments were watching these movies. Unlike today's TV fare, you could always expect to watch something entertaining, and without all of the foul language, sexual content, etc. that you generally see today.

I just saw this movie for the first time on TCM and I'm an older adult. Why anyone would think this movie would appeal only to teenagers or younger is a little pessimistic to say the least. I love the movie - Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and adorable little Evelyn Rudie are wonderfully talented. Of course, no one will ever compare with Shirley Temple - that's a given. Even tho there have been many talented young actresses, they threw away the pattern with Shirley. The storyline is - as it's supposed to be - rather melancholy - and for the period of time it was made it's rather marvelous I feel. The outcome of the story - which most of us could have guessed of course - is quite a lesson that teaches just how grief can make someone go off the deep end, dealing with just their own pain, and not considering the feelings and welfare of someone else, especially a child. Who knows, maybe Julie's spirit did come and encourage more searching for Hitty - it's possible.

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.

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.

From the very beginning, where Vic Damone sings the BEAUTIFUL Title Song, to the end where I sit teary-eyed, again, I LOVE this film. I also loved the original, "Sentimental Journey" just as much. Both may be a bit unrealistic in today's no-room-for-sentiment world, but they are heartwarming and wonderful movies that most women of my generation appreciate and WANT to see-----------often! This movie is NOT shown often enough. Lauren Bacall is as beautiful as beautiful gets and Robert Stack gives a fine performance. I did notice that the lovely background music played throughout both films, is basically the same song, but played to a somewhat different beat. In both films, even the music pulls at your heartstrings. One of my favorites!