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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 04/02/2019
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. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 12/23/2007
C
Tiresome musical screwball comedy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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07/17/2021 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 See more 02/08/2021 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! See more 02/12/2015 Very pleasant musicomedy with Jerome Kern songs, including "You Couldn't Be Cuter." See more 12/20/2014 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. See more 04/02/2013 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;-) See more Read all reviews
Joy of Living

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Tay Garnett

Director

Irene Dunne

Margaret "Maggie" Garret

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Daniel "Dan" Brewster

Lucille Ball

Salina Garret Pine

Alice Brady

Minerva Garret

Guy Kibbee

Dennis Garret
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Joy of Living

Joy of Living (1938) Joy of Living (1938) Joy of Living (1938) Joy of Living (1938) View more photos

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
Screenwriter
Gene Towne, C. Graham Baker, Allan Scott
Production Co
RKO Pictures
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Apr 20, 2009
Runtime
1h 30m