I'm Shocked that I never heard of These Wilder Years

A few weeks ago Turner Movie Classics ran a movie called “These Wilder Years.” This movie starred legendary Hollywood icons James Cagney and Barbara Stanwyck. I didn’t know of this movie! There are two blogs on this site about James Cagney because I have been a fan of his work since I was 12 years old. Other than early early work, I thought I saw all his movies. I’m discovering Stanwyck nowadays. So how have I missed this! How is this not talked about more? 

The movie was made in the mid-1950s. Sadly these are the years after these two powerhouse actors were in their money-making prime. They still got the charisma when filming this.

The movie opens with Cagney walking to his office. He has that light-step-walk when he moves. The little flick he gives his assistant is something he does in movies. The man always wore the best fitting suits. Stanwyck operates a home for unwed mother’s. She is smart and serious. 

The two legends hit it off, maybe they will end up together. Cagney can be charming or scary. He does both in scenes and Stanwyck doesn’t back down from him. She is just as charming or scary. Check out the lawyer called scene. 

The movie is a tight hour and half. You get the character, conflict, and setting in the first ten minutes. This means some scenes aren’t explored as much as the writing says they should. That maybe why this wasn’t a classic. 

If you want to see two Hollywood legends work eye to eye, this is a movie to check out.