Fay Bainter

  • Henry King – Maryland (1940)

    Henry King1931-1940ClassicsDramaUSA

    Synopsis: Charlotte Danfield (Fay Bainter), a member of an old Maryland family with horse breeding in its blood, orders her entire stable sold after her husband meets his death in a hunting accident. She also forbids her son Lee (John Payne) to ride again, but when the boy remains friendly with Charlotte’s old horse trainer, William Stewart (Walter Brennan), and his granddaugther Linda (Brenda Joyce), Charlotte ships him off to school in Europe to remove him from Maryland’s horse-oriented environment. Horses are in Lee’s blood, however, so when he returns home a grown man and learns that “Uncle Bill” is grooming “Cavalier” for the Maryland Cup, he eagerly offers to ride the steed. Later, after acquiescing to Charlotte’s wish that he not ride, Lee, out of a sense of loyalty to Uncle Bill, defies his mother’s will. Read More »

  • Norman Taurog – Presenting Lily Mars (1943)

    1941-1950ComedyMusicalNorman TaurogUSA

    Judy Garland is at the peak of her charm and appeal as Lily Mars. The 19-year-old aspiring actress has great hopes for the future but can’t catch a break, even when a Broadway producer (Van Heflin) returns to her small Indiana town for a family visit. Undeterred, she follows him to New York. She earns a small part, and a romance is sparked, but when the leading role unexpectedly opens up, will Lily be ready?Read More »

  • Benjamin Stoloff – The Lady and the Mob (1939)

    1931-1940Benjamin StoloffComedyCrimeUSA

    Plot Synopsis by Hal Erickson
    How could anyone dislike a film with the title Lady and the Mob? Sweet Fay Bainter stars as eccentric dowager Hattie Leonard, who takes it upon herself to smash a dry-cleaning racket. When the crooks and the cops laugh at her efforts, the resourceful Hattie sets about to organize her own mob, consisting of such soft-hearted yeggs as Warren Hymer and Joe Sawyer. With the help of her Runyonesque stooges-not to mention her grandson Jeff (Lee Bowman) and his sweetheart Lila (Ida Lupino)-Hattie manages to strike a blow for The American Way, bringing the villains to their knees. The supporting cast includes the ineffable Henry Armetta and versatile radio actor Tommy Mack, of “I’m not excited! WHO’S excited?” fame.Read More »

  • Leo McCarey – Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)

    1931-1940ClassicsDramaLeo McCareyUSA

    Synopsis:
    At a family reunion, the Cooper clan find that their parents’ home is being foreclosed. “Temporarily,” Ma moves in with son George’s family, Pa with daughter Cora. But the parents are like sand in the gears of their middle-aged children’s well regulated households. Can the old folks take matters into their own hands?Read More »

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