Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Encyclopedia
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty is a 1942 drama film starring Monty Woolley
as a washed-up, alcoholic actor, Ida Lupino
as his daughter, and Cornel Wilde
as her boyfriend. It is based on the play The Light of Heart by Emlyn Williams
.
worked on the picture's screenplay. The extent of his contribution to the completed film has not been determined, however. Life Begins at Eight-Thirty was the last motion picture writing assignment for Fitzgerald, who died in December 1940. Williams' play was also the basis of a 1961 German film entitled Das Leben beginnt um acht, which was directed by Michael Kehlmann
and starred O. E. Hasse and Johanna Matz
.
Production Dates: late Jul--late Aug 1942; added scenes and retakes began 4 Sep 1942
Monty Woolley
Monty Woolley was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor. At the age of 50, he achieved a measure of stardom for his best-known role in the stage play and 1942 film The Man Who Came to Dinner...
as a washed-up, alcoholic actor, Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino was an English-born film actress and director, and a pioneer among women filmmakers. In her 48-year career, she appeared in 59 films and directed seven others, mostly in the United States. She appeared in serial television programmes 58 times and directed 50 other episodes...
as his daughter, and Cornel Wilde
Cornel Wilde
Cornel Wilde was an American actor and film director.-Early life:Kornél Lajos Weisz was born in 1912 in Prievidza, Hungary , although his year and place of birth are usually and inaccurately given as 1915 in New York City...
as her boyfriend. It is based on the play The Light of Heart by Emlyn Williams
Emlyn Williams
George Emlyn Williams, CBE , known as Emlyn Williams, was a Welsh dramatist and actor.-Biography:He was born into a Welsh-speaking, working class family in Mostyn, Flintshire....
.
Synopsis
Kathy lives in a cramped New York flat with her father Madden Thomas, a celebrated actor brought down by drink. Lame from an early age and feeling trapped with her father in her small world, Kathy is delighted to meet fellow tenant Robert. When Madden is offered the lead in a new King Lear and Robert lands a composing job in Hollywood, better times seem for a while to beckon.Cast
- Monty Woolley as Madden Thomas
- Ida Lupino as Kathy Thomas
- Cornel Wilde as Robert Carter
- Sara AllgoodSara Allgood-Biography:Allgood was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her sister was actress Maire O'Neill.Allgood began her acting career at the Abbey Theatre and was in the opening of the Irish National Theatre Society, appearing in many of their plays all over Britain...
as Alma Lothian - Melville CooperMelville CooperGeorge Melville Cooper , best known as Melville Cooper, was a British stage, film and television actor. Among his roles are the cowardly Sheriff of Nottingham in The Adventures of Robin Hood, starring Errol Flynn, and Mr...
as Barty - J. Edward BrombergJ. Edward BrombergJoseph Edward Bromberg was a Hungarian-born American character actor in motion picture and stage productions dating mostly from the 1930s and 1940s....
as Sid Gordon - William DemarestWilliam DemarestCarl William Demarest was an American character actor. He frequently played crusty but good-hearted roles.-Early life and career:...
as Police Officer - Alec Craig as Santa Claus
- Lee PhelpsLee PhelpsLee Phelps was an American film actor. He appeared in over 600 films between 1917 and 1953, mainly in uncredited roles...
as Bartender
Production notes
The working title of this film was The Light of Heart. F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was an American author of novels and short stories, whose works are the paradigm writings of the Jazz Age, a term he coined himself. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Fitzgerald is considered a member of the "Lost...
worked on the picture's screenplay. The extent of his contribution to the completed film has not been determined, however. Life Begins at Eight-Thirty was the last motion picture writing assignment for Fitzgerald, who died in December 1940. Williams' play was also the basis of a 1961 German film entitled Das Leben beginnt um acht, which was directed by Michael Kehlmann
Michael Kehlmann
Michael Kehlmann was an Austrian film and theatre director, screenwriter and actor. He was the father of writer Daniel Kehlmann.During 1951-1953, Kehlmann was the manager of the "Kleines Theater im Konzerthaus", Vienna...
and starred O. E. Hasse and Johanna Matz
Johanna Matz
-Selected filmography:* Season in Salzburg * The White Horse Inn * The Life and Loves of Mozart * Ingrid - Die Geschichte eines Fotomodells * Trees Are Blooming in Vienna * Tales from the Vienna Woods...
.
Production Dates: late Jul--late Aug 1942; added scenes and retakes began 4 Sep 1942