Broken Dreams

CinemaSerf

I'm not sure if the folks at Monogram had put enough money in the electric meter for this - it looks like it has been filmed during a blackout! Randolph Scott ("Morley") is an intern who's wife dies in childbirth. Stricken with grief, he cannot face bringing up their new son, so he is taken in by Beryl Mercer and Joseph Cawthorn. Spool on a few years and our now successful doctor, engaged to "Martha" (Martha Sleeper) has a bit of a change of heart when he visits his hometown and meets his now six year old son "Billy" (Buster Phelps) - and he sues for custody. Ordinarily, I stay well clear of films with weans in - but Phelps is actually quite engaging as the youngster in this otherwise unremarkable drama. The writing is decent enough, though - and I did find myself feeling really sorry for the old couple who did all the heavy lifting, only to find themselves in court trying to stop the boy's father from destroying their family...