Life Begins at Eight-Thirty (1942)

Maybe if celebrated actor "Madden" (Monty Woolley) hadn't fallen foul of the bottle, he might have stayed at the top of his game. He didn't, though, and so he has to share his small flat with daughter "Kathy" (Ida Lupino). She hasn't her problems to seek, either. She's lived with this man for all of her life and the consequent limitations, coupled with a gammy leg, are driving her to distraction. Fortunately, serendipity takes some interest in her happiness by bringing "Robert" (Cornel Wilde) to their building, and after a rather boozed-up introduction to her father, he starts to take some interest in the young woman. All they really need is for dad to get a job, then maybe they have a chance of romance and happiness. Perhaps the bard of Stratford-upon-Avon can help out, too? I think you either liked Woolley or you didn't - he certainly wasn't remotely versatile and only had the one characterisation to display. I did enjoy the embittered, sarcastic, personas at which he excelled and here we add loads of bourbon to further intoxicate the mix. Neither Wilde nor Lupino really have enough to get their teeth into, but there's still enough of the story for them to make their presence felt as we head to a conclusion that is pretty predictable, but quite enjoyably arrived at. Is the sun over the yard arm yet? Well it might be at eight-thirty!