Review of My Bill

My Bill (1938)
8/10
Dickie Moore: The little boy that could!!
1 July 2005
Based on Tom Barry's play, a widow (played by Kay Francis) runs out of money, and her three children abandon her. This drama explores the financial difficulties facing a family in the Depression and the fine character of the youngest, Bill. On a personal note, I enjoyed this film very much, in particular the performance by Dickie Moore as young 'Bill'. In fact, Moore's Bill had more charm and raw human emotion in his little finger than Mickey Rooney in the entire series of Andy Hardy films. In my opinion, that little guy (Bill) was pure heart, and took me back to the Jackie-Coogan character in Chaplin's 'The Kid'. In many respects, at 13 years old, Moore pretty much carried this film.

Overall, the supporting cast was rather bland, i.e. the three brats and the banker. Kay Francis plays the typically concerned mom. Ending was a bit too quick-paced, and much too optimistic --- although I highly enjoyed Bill and his mother, a.k.a "Sweetheart", finally kicking their evil Aunt Caroline out the door, i.e. "...that dog-faced buffoon!!...SCRAM!"

A slightly predictable ending, however all together satisfying picture providing some strong family values.
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