When I first started watching this film, I found it slow going. I couldn't get into it and couldn't understand how it could have gotten such rave reviews from others. And then something happened. It "grew on me." The excellent acting, the classic story (think of a pre-teen Paper Chase with Leo G. Carroll being the dreaded professor), the quaintness of the 1800s setting...I don't know, it just got to me.
And then I realized that life imitated art. Because that's the whole theme of the film, that this boy who goes off to school and hates it eventually grows to not just fit in but flourish (but as I say, that's a classic story). And much of the success of the movie is due to that boy (Dean Stockwell) and his winning ways, as an actor and in character.
Leo G. Carroll deserves a special tip of the hat, too. He will always be Topper to me from the old TV show. But he brings just the right amount of bassett hound looks and solid good nature yet strictness to the role.
The Happy Years may not be the best movie ever, but it is a happy few hours of entertainment.
And then I realized that life imitated art. Because that's the whole theme of the film, that this boy who goes off to school and hates it eventually grows to not just fit in but flourish (but as I say, that's a classic story). And much of the success of the movie is due to that boy (Dean Stockwell) and his winning ways, as an actor and in character.
Leo G. Carroll deserves a special tip of the hat, too. He will always be Topper to me from the old TV show. But he brings just the right amount of bassett hound looks and solid good nature yet strictness to the role.
The Happy Years may not be the best movie ever, but it is a happy few hours of entertainment.