Vassar was the mean, old Grandma, spiteful right down to the core, and this was her first film role, at age 70! ... and a "young" Charles Lane as "Smith"... Lane was only 35 in this one. of course, he had already done 100 films by this time, 23 in 1940 alone. that's got to be some kind of record! Also, watch for Henry Travers (clarence the angel, in Wonderful Life). Must have been a fun movie to make.
shareYou are spot on! Wonderful! I think the movie deserves a higher rating too.
shareI was surprised to see Charles Lane pop up, too...especially in that kind of role. He was a great actor, though. That's one of the great things about old movies...picking out all the fabulous character actors that randomly pop up in them.
shareIt was Queenie Vassar's first film but she had been a stage actress for decades. I can't believe she only got two other movies after this sensational performance.
shareYou are all exactly right. Queenie really knows her character here. Sad that she didn't film a lot more often than she did, or at least a few more roles like this.
Henry Travers, I often think of him first in "Primrose Path," then "Ball of Fire" and "Mrs. Miniver" before "It's a Wonderful Life." Maybe because that's part of his filmography in chronological order or something. But I can understand why some would say "...Wonderful Life" first.
Charles Lane you think of many films and, especially, Homer Bedlow in "Petticoat Junction" probably because that role identifies him after quite a number of film roles.
Queenie, Marjorie and Joan, you think "Primrose Path." Myles, you think here and "The Mad Miss Manton."
Ginger and Joel, of course, have many wonderful films, including this and their other turn, in 1933's delightful "Chance at Heaven." Well said, everyone.
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