Claude Rains is Adam Lemp, a widowed music professor who lives with his sister and his four marriage-age daughters (played by Priscilla Lane and her two sisters, Rosemary and Lola, and Gale Page). One day, Felix Deitz (Jeffrey Lynn), the son of an old friend of Adam's, stops by for a visit, and all of the girls find themselves attracted to him. Daughter Thea is so attracted that she refuses to set a date for her wedding to Ben, and daughter Emma finds herself virtually ignoring shy Ernest, who is vying for her hand. Felix, though, has eyes for daughter Ann (Priscilla Lane), the baby of the family, and before long, they are courting one another.
Enter Micky Borden (John Garfield), a down-on-his-luck friend of Felix, who is supposed to help Felix write some music. Micky has had a difficult life, beginning with the fact that he was orphaned as a baby. Nothing seems to work out for him, and he is moody and pessimistic. Ann, however, isn't deterred by Micky's grumpy moods; she works hard to encourage him to not give up, to not always expect bad things. Before long, Micky has fallen in love with Ann...but Ann has agreed to marry Felix.
So, which man does Ann choose? Do things turn around for Micky? Does he find favor smiling upon him finally? To find out the answers to those questions, you will have to watch this movie. I'm almost positive it's out on DVD, so I think it should be fairly easy to track down.
John Garfield, who began his career on the stage, is totally terrific in this, his very first screen role. From the very moment he appears on screen, he brings with him that fabulous, chip-on-the-shoulder, brooding rebel moodiness which would characterize him throughout the majority of his career. Before Clift, Brando, or Dean, there was John Garfield---the original brooding rebel. The rest of the cast is terrific as well, especially Claude Rains and May Robson. (Incidentally, Mr. Rains, who was also a well-respected stage actor, was quite a mentor to Mr. Garfield as he made the transition from stage to screen.)
This film is the original of 1954's Young at Heart, which stars Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, and Gig Young. Both films are interesting and enjoyable; however, the Young at Heart remake has a totally different ending than Four Daughters does. With only a few minor changes, the movies are nearly identical...until the last few minutes.
Four Daughters is very solid and enjoyable, and, of course, for John Garfield fans, it is a must-see, since it's his film debut. I hope you get a chance to see it.
Happy viewing to all!!
