Life Begins At Eight Thirty (1942)

A washed up alcoholic actor (Monty Woolley) is taken care of by his devoted daughter (Ida Lupino). His daughter is physically challenged because of a paralyzed foot which happened when her father in a drunken stupor dropped her when she was a baby. A young writer (Cornel Wilde) enters their lives and provides a second chance for both of them. Based on the play THE LIGHT HEART by Emlyn Williams and directed by Irving Pichel (DESTINATION MOON). There's not much one can say about this one. Its theatrical origins are barely disguised and the maudlin screenplay creaks a bit. It falls on the actors to carry it but they can't overcome the script's limitations. Monty Wooley was always a limited actor and he's unable to bring the kind of depth needed to bring the necessary layers to his character. It's watchable but you're always aware that you're watching something mediocre. I hope Emlyn Williams' source material was better than this. With Sara Allgood and Melville Cooper.