Musician Adam Lemp and his four equally musical daughters, Emma, Ann, Kay, and Thea, live happily together. Each daughter has an upstanding young man for whom she cares. However, the arrival of a cynical, slovenly young composer named Mickey Borden turns the household upside-down, and romantic and tragic complications ensue.
“Four Daughters” is notable for being the film debut of John Garfield. He sets up his screen persona with this role, giving an outstanding first performance as Borden, who gradually alters as he gets to know Ann but can’t entirely change his ways. His sequences are the film’s most memorable, and the entire tone of the movie becomes much darker when his character is introduced.Curtiz achieved something almost unheard of with this movie. In 1938 he was nominated for two Best Director Academy Awards, for both “Four Daughters” and “Angels with Dirty Faces”.
Four Daughters. Score one for Warners on this gentle drama from Fannie Hurst's novel, Sister Act. It's a beguiling film which reveals John Garfield as an interesting picture prospect. Formerly Jules Garfield, of Broadway's Group Theatre, the actor turns out to be much more forceful personality on the screen than he was on the stage.Michael Curtiz’s direction is both affectionate and knowing. Claude Rains is irresistibly persuasive and attractive as the father. Priscilla Lane has the best part as the youngest sister. May Robson plays the aunt in proper mother-hen fashion.
