Four Daughters

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bill t Somewhat soapoperaish melodrama about, yes, 4 daughters / sisters that are of age that they have to make up their mind about their careers and marriage. Some are more successful than others. I found this movie took forever to get to the main plot, before that was neverending character development and hoo-hooing with the other characters and not building up any momentum until the second half, until everyone just suddenly decides and we see everything happen all at once almost. It's not bad, but certainly not the best you can do. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member It isn't hard to see why frequent moviegoers in 1938, wise to the formulas of most movies, would have found FOUR DAUGHTERS a fresh and surprising picture. The story of four musical sisters and their romantic problems begins as conventionally as any Deanna Durbin musical but quickly evolves into an absorbing romantic melodrama. Director Michael Curtiz keeps all four actresses bubbling sweetly and predictably, but when Jeffrey Lynn enters the picture trouble begins. Though one sister is engaged and another nearly so, all four in some way become smitten by this young musician. Then the script tops itself (and electrified audiences) by introducing a further complication named John Garfield. Cynical, depressive, darkly attractive and clearly a New York 'ethnic' type, Garfield is in every way the opposite of tall, handsome, WASPy Jeffrey Lynn, who in any other picture would probably have made more of an impression. Though friends, the men vie for Priscilla Lane, whose unaffected acting style creates a nice tension with both actors. Believing it best for her sister, Priscilla marries the wrong man, at once confounding and satisfying audience expectations. Halfway through this film you are apt to wonder what will happen next and how events will play out, which is not what you expect from the sunny opening. Garfield's success overshadowed every other good thing about this film. Clearly Warners' thought they had a successor to Jimmy Cagney. In fact they had the forerunner of Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Montgomery Clift, Brando and James Dean, though Garfield was warmer and more likable than any of those. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a very cute movie. I love the actors and the story was sad but sweet Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Four Daughters and its follow-up Daughters Courageous are entertaining domestic drama-musicals that are deftly directed by the great Michael Curtiz and contain entertaining performances by the Lane sisters, particularly the vastly under-appreciated Priscilla Lane. Four Daughters was also the picture that propelled John Garfield's career. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Frances H I remember seeing this film as a child when we watched the 20 am movie on TV in the summer with a late breakfast. It's a bit corny, but still an interesting film with very good actors--in fact some of my favorites--Claude Rains, Priscilla Lane and John Garfield, not to mention the great character actress who played Aunt Effie, May Robson. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/12/20 Full Review steve d Everyone involved does a great job. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Four Daughters

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