Young at Heart (1954)

To me, this movie is perfection.

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Good movie but grossly overrated

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Doris Day and her two sisters all fall for composer Gig Young in Young at Heart. However, even though his last name is featured in the title, Gig Young isn't the male lead. Doris wins out over her sisters, and she and Gig become engaged. In walks Frank Sinatra. He's Gig's musical arranger, and when he visits the family to help with some music, he clashes with Doris. She's sunshine and daisies; he's a dark raincloud. They bicker and banter as he tries to impart his cynical wisdom and she tries to brighten his outlook. I think you can guess what happens next.Ethel Barrymore, Dorothy Malone, and Robert Keith make up the adult family chaperones—would you leave your three daughters alone in the house with two strange men?—and a variety of composers contribute to the songs Frankie and Doris sing, although not every one was written for the film. "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)", "Someone to Watch Over Me", "Just One of Those Things", and of course the title song, are performed in the movie. While some scenes are cute, I found an equal number of scenes to be depressing. In real life, we've all found it tempting to try and cheer up a perpetually grumpy person, but in a movie, it's a little tiring. Yes, it's Frank Sinatra so we want to forgive him, but who really wants to see Doris "Ms. Sunshine" Day struggle so much to make him smile?

"Young at Heart" is a reworking of the 1938 film "Four Daughters", though in the process one of the daughters was inexplicably lost and so there are only three in this remake. Plus, this time it is more of a musical. Both are quite pleasant films but not a lot more.The film begins with a musical family--a father (Robert Keith), an aunt (Ethel Barrymore) and three daughters (Doris Day, Dorothy Malone and Elisabeth Fraser). They are quite happy but now that the daughters have grown, love and marriage are bringing change. Gig Young plays the sort of role you'd expect for Ralph Bellamy--the nice guy who ends up, inexplicably, losing the girl. Just like in the first film, it's really not clear WHY Doris Day's character would jilt Young for Frank Sinatra's character since he isn't particularly likable. Still, despite this central relationship and the chemistry not working, the film does make up for this, a bit, with very nice songs. Day is very good but Sinatra's theme song is among his very best, so it's hard to hate the film. However, don't be surprised at the very end of the film--it was NOT the same ending from "Four Daughters" as apparently Sinatra hated this ending and insisted it be changed. Worth seeing but not especially memorable except for the title song...now THAT is terrific.

A plot reminiscent of the Bennett family in "Pride and Prejudice," with, of course, Doris Day taking the role of Elizabeth Bennett. Similar ineffectual dad. All the daughters (three, this time) looking for Mr. Right. Only Ethel Barrymore as the aged aunt doesn't fit--she apparently mistook this for the set of "Long Day's Journey Into Night"--why is she there?But throw in a totally unlikely element--Frank Sinatra, and it works. Sinatra in his moody, intense prime, involved with--of all people--Doris Day. Does it get weirder than that? But Frank transfixes us with his soul, his magical voice and style, and we happily go along for the ride, and Doris' songs certainly aren't shabby, either.

For lovers of musical/dramas this movie would rate at the top of anyone's list. And for Doris Day and Frank Sinatra fans - revel in the opportunity of seeing the only movie they ever made together. You have to wonder why they were never teamed again. Doris was at her absolute peak during her Warner Bros years in this movie. Beautifully photographed and singing to absolute perfection she dazzles with her brilliance. Frank is perfectly cast as the 'down on his luck' singer and piano player who wows us with several wonderful standards that were among his best. All the supporting players were perfectly cast. Especially the wonderful Ethel Barrymore who can do more with a glance than most actors can do with reams of dialogue. This picture is guaranteed to capture your heart.