Linbeymusol
Wonderful character development!
Infamousta
brilliant actors, brilliant editing
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
Kien Navarro
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
wes-connors
After her latest Broadway play bombs, stage star Gladys George (as Carlotta "Charlie" Lee) is concerned. It's been four flops in a row for Ms. George and she needs a hit. George decides to play the lead in "Carolina" - but radio and newspaper celebrity reporter Franchot Tone (as Peter "Pete" Lawrence) thinks it will ruin her career. He hopes his "New York Chronicle" column will queer the deal. The bickering pair have been an item since their youth - or so we're led to believe. George is listening to Mr. Tone's "Broadway Chatter" radio show when he reports on the death of a window washer. Tone wants his audience to find parents for newly orphaned Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler (as Mike and Jake O'Toole). This turns into a convoluted publicity stunt, with George getting the kids...George and Tone are game, but their coupling sends off no sparks. However, this film won't give you a headache - in spite of its unappealing title. Director Richard Thorpe and the MGM crew move the cast around skillfully, with George walking up toward the camera for an exit and her co-star deftly handling physical comedy. The supporting cast is not only strong, but also given opportunities to shine. Most obviously on his mark is Mr. Rooney, although he is miscast as a 13-year-old. It is surprising to see Frank Jenks (as Joe Cannon) hold his own in a film with Rooney and the adorable little Miss Weidler. After he is offered advice on reincarnation, Mr. Jenks is on a roll which lasts throughout his screen time. Also notable, this was the last film for Ted Healy; the man who gave us his "Three Stooges" died shortly before its release.****** Love Is a Headache (1/14/38) Richard Thorpe ~ Gladys George, Franchot Tone, Mickey Rooney, Frank Jenks
blanche-2
"Love is a Headache" is from 1938, a short second feature that runs one hour and 15 minutes, and stars Franchot Tone, Gladys George, Mickey Rooney, and Virginia Wiedler.Tone plays Peter Lawrence, a gossip columnist who knew one Broadway star, Carlotta (whom he calls Charlie) Lee back when they were kids. He never lets up on her, and when she takes a role in a flop show, he says the show is no good and she's making a mistake. She's about to sign a contract for another dud and is angry with Peter for writing about her in his column.Peter also has an interest in two young kids, Mike and Jake O'Toole (Rooney and Wielder), who are now orphans after their father is killed. On his latest broadcast, he calls out for anyone who can adopt these children. Carlotta's publicist thinks will be great for her, so he arranges to have the children brought to her apartment. Meanwhile, Peter knows nothing of this, planning to thoroughly investigate anyone interested. When he finds out, he assumes this is a cheap publicity stunt.Entertaining film, with Gladys George giving a wonderful performance as Carlotta, a dedicated performer but a woman with a heart. Rooney as the tough older brother is, as always, excellent, and as his vulnerable little sister Wiedler is excellent as well. Franchot Tone is smooth and sophisticated as Peter Lawrence.Those were the good old days, when columnists were an important part of the Broadway and movie scenes, and many times they would broadcast their programs from nightclubs or high-end restaurants, adding some glamor. There was a fun clip of the old Times Square at the beginning of the film. Wow, times have changed.
MartinHafer
Despite being from a great studio, this isn't a particularly distinguished film--in fact, it's pretty poor. The biggest problems are that there really isn't any romantic chemistry and the plot seemed very forced.The film begins with a Broadway actress (Gladys George) having yet another flop on stage. Her agent (Ted Healy) is always trying to think of ways for her to get publicity and a friend (Franchot Tone) is trying to get her to be choosy about her projects and listen to him. In one of his radio broadcasts, Tone talks about some orphans in need of a home (including Mickey Rooney--who was a bit old to be adopted). Healy and George get the bright idea of adopting--or at least PRETENDING to adopt the kids for publicity. Tone is appalled and the rest of the film is spent watching George inexplicably becoming attached to the two kids and Tone somehow marrying George by the end...even though there is zero chemistry between them and the film never shows any indications that romance is in the air.The film is supposed to be a wacky comedy but wacky it seldom is. In fact, things happen repeatedly throughout the film for no apparent reason. As a result, the film is very weak and very skipable.
David (Handlinghandel)
This gives the superb Gladys George a good, meaty role. The plot is a bit well-worn. But she is in all her glory as a temperamental grand lady of the stage with a heart of gold. (The plot involves no drinking on her part, which is a nice change from the general typecasting her tough voice and soft manner brought.) Let's get one thing clear: The title means nothing. It seems slapped on out of desperation. What romantic title could not be called "Love Is A Headache"? From "Gone With the Wind" to "Mala Noche," with many stops in between, there could have been hundreds of movies with that title.The supporting cast is fun. Franchot Tone is fine. Mickey Rooney and Virginia Weidler are real pros.Though I liked this primarily because of Ms. George, I have to say that Rooney shines. He had that quality the camera loved that certain big stars had. Marilyn Monroe is one of them. When either of these two appeared in a movie's early scenes, the audience sits up and says "Whoa! Who is THIS?"