The Time of Your Life (1948)
Directed by H.C. Potter

Film Review

William Saroyan's 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Time of Your Life may have been a hit on Broadway but it sank James Cagney's dreams of filmmaking independence when his film adaptation proved a major critical and commercial failure.  After his second escape from Warner Brothers, Cagney set up his own production company with his brother William, but the three films the company made between 1942 and 1948 all struggled to find an audience.   Coming after the lukewarm reception to the Cagney brothers' first two features, Johnny Come Lately (1943) and Blood on the Sun (1945), the failure of their third film forced Cagney to give up and return to Warner Brothers.  The Time of Your Life failed not because it was a poor film, but because audiences could not accept Cagney in such a sympathetic role.

The Time of Your Life may not have had much of an impact when it was first seen but it deserves to rate as one of the most daring and amiable films that James Cagney lent his name to.  Virtually all of the film takes place in a single set, with the lead actor glued pretty well to one spot, playing the good Samaritan for all it is worth (albeit with an ironic twinkle).  Some imaginative camerawork and plenty of activity on screen prevents the film from appearing too static, even if it is essentially no more than a filmed stage play.  Poor reaction to a preview forced Cagney to change the downbeat ending to Saroyan's original play, which necessitated a very costly remount.

Cagney surrounds himself with an ensemble of talented and extremely likeable supporting actors, whom he can bait and spar off with his customary charm and good humour.  The Cagneys' sister Jeanne is perfectly cast in the main female role, as a woman with a dubious past, whilst William Bendix banks most of the laughs as the grudgingly likeable bar owner Nick.  A good-natured slice of life, this is a film that deserves to be as well-known as Cagney's great gangster films and overblown musicals.  It may not be as glitzy as the films the star made for the big studios, but it bristles with warmth and eccentricity and is well worth checking out.

Film Synopsis

Nick's is a popular Pacific Street saloon bar on the San Francisco waterfront.  The owner, Nick, welcomes oddballs and dropouts, insisting that they be themselves at all times.  His most loyal customer is Joe, a well-dressed man of the world who spends all day seated at the same table, sipping champagne and dispensing words of wisdom to anyone who cares to listen.  Joe keeps his friend Tom busy by sending him on pointless errands, such as buying toys and candy.  A compulsive tap-dancer named Harry pleads with Nick to take him on as a comedian, but the only person who offers him any words of encouragement is Kit Carson, a grizzled old cowboy who is forever recounting his past exploits.  Joe takes an interest in Kitty, a street walker who is eager to start a new life.  With his customary cunning and goodwill, he arranges for Tom and Kitty to meet and fall in love.  Nick's happy little haven is threatened when a crooked cop turns up looking for trouble...