The Happy Years
The Happy Years | |
---|---|
Directed by | William Wellman |
Written by | Harry Ruskin |
Based on | The Varmint: A Lawrenceville Story by
|
Produced by | Carey Wilson |
Starring | Dean Stockwell Darryl Hickman Scotty Beckett Leon Ames Margalo Gillmore |
Cinematography | Paul C. Vogel |
Edited by | John Dunning |
Music by | Leigh Harline |
Color process | Technicolor |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 109-110 mins |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1,393,000[1] |
Box office | $855,000[1] |
The Happy Yearsis a 1950 film based on the 1910 novelThe VarmintbyOwen Johnson.It concerns the adventures of Dink Stover, a boy attending theLawrenceville Schoolin New Jersey.Robert Wagnermade his film debut in a small, uncredited role as Adams, the catcher for Cleve House.
Plot
[edit]Expelled from other preparatory schools, most recently after causing a campus explosion, young John Humperdink Stover is given one last chance by his father to find maturity and discipline along with a proper education. On the way to a new academy, Stover promptly disrupts the trip of a fellow carriage passenger, Mr. Hopkins, by causing the horse to break into a gallop. He is unaware that Hopkins is the Latin teacher and house-master at his school.
Promptly given the nickname "Dink," he becomes acquainted with other students like "Tough" McCarty and "Tennessee" Shad and immediately starts getting into fights. The rivalry spills onto the football field and also includes elaborate pranks played on a girl, Connie Brown, during the summer break. On the verge of being kicked out of yet another school, Dink comes to his senses just in time, making his father proud at last.
Cast
[edit]- Dean Stockwellas Dink Stover
- Darryl Hickmanas Tough McCarty
- Scotty Beckettas Tennessee Shad
- Leo G. Carrollas Mr. Hopkins
- Leon Amesas Sam Stover
- Margalo Gillmoreas Maude Stover
- Elinor Donahueas Connie (billed as Mary Eleanor Donahue)
- Claudia Barrettas Dolly Travers
- Robert Wagneras Adams
- Henry Blairas Joe Crocker[2]
Reception
[edit]According to MGM records, the movie earned $680,000 in the US and Canada and $175,000 elsewhere, making a loss of $1,096,000 for the studio.[1]
References
[edit]- ^abcThe Eddie Mannix Ledger,Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^Hanson, Patricia King, ed. (1999).AFI Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States; Volume F4: Feature Films, 1941-1950; Film Entries A-L.p. 978.ISBN0-520-21521-4.
External links
[edit]- The Happy YearsatTCMDB
- The Happy YearsatIMDb
- The Happy YearsatAllMovie
- The Happy Yearsat theAFI Catalog of Feature Films