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Joy of Living

Play trailer Poster for Joy of Living 1938 1h 30m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Falling in love with the voice of Broadway chanteuse Margaret Garret (Irene Dunne), cocksure young tycoon Daniel Brewster (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) decides to rescue the star from her hectic lifestyle of frenzied fans and mooching relatives. When Margaret has her ardent suitor arrested, the judge appoints her as Daniel's probation officer, forcing the duo to spend time together. As Daniel teaches Margaret to let her hair down and enjoy life, she begins to fall for her fun-loving admirer.

Critics Reviews

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Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine If Joy of Living doesn't seem quite as spontaneous as The Awful Truth, it's probably just because it came later in the cycle. On its own merits, it's lively entertainment. Apr 2, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Tiresome musical screwball comedy. Rated: C Dec 23, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member I've seen ~2000 movies from the Golden Age, and this hidden gem rocketed to my shortlist of favorite comedies by about 20 minutes in. It's got everything. Deserves a regular spot in TCM's rotation Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie manages to be smart, sophisticated, and fun at the same time. Who could beat Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Irene Dunne? Without them it might not sparkle and shine as it does. The musical score is good as well. Great entertainment! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Very pleasant musicomedy with Jerome Kern songs, including "You Couldn't Be Cuter." Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a phenomenal movie. How this one slipped though the cracks of posterity I don't know. Irene Dunne is delightful. Douglas Fairbanks is charming. I actually didn't recognise him outside his typical swashbuckler roles. Great story, great production, it's genuinely funny in parts. It's a shame it's so obscure. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Slow, cardboard start - but once Doug Jr. gets Irene drunk the show properly transforms into a Rom-Com worth watching. Note that Lucille Ball is cast as Irene's younger sister and understudy, ....once she put on Ms. Dunne's shoes Lucy actually did become the queen of screwball;-) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Joy of Living

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Joy of Living

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Movie Info

Synopsis Falling in love with the voice of Broadway chanteuse Margaret Garret (Irene Dunne), cocksure young tycoon Daniel Brewster (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) decides to rescue the star from her hectic lifestyle of frenzied fans and mooching relatives. When Margaret has her ardent suitor arrested, the judge appoints her as Daniel's probation officer, forcing the duo to spend time together. As Daniel teaches Margaret to let her hair down and enjoy life, she begins to fall for her fun-loving admirer.
Director
Tay Garnett
Producer
Felix Young
Production Co
RKO Pictures
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 20, 2009
Runtime
1h 30m