Breaking the Ice (1938 film)

• Bobby Breen: Tommy Martin
• Charles Ruggles: Sam Terwilliger
• Dolores Costello: Martha Martin
• Irene Dare: they
• Robert Barrat: William Decker
• Dorothy Peterson: Annie Decker
• John " Dusty " King Henry Johnson
• Billy Gilbert: Mr. Small
• Margaret Hamilton: Mrs. Small
• Charles Murray: Porter Janitor
• Jonathan Hale: Mr. Kane
• Delmar Watson: Reuben Johnson
• Spencer Charters: Farmer Smith
• Cy Kendall: Judd

Breaking the Ice is an American film drama with musical elements from the year 1938 by Edward F. Cline. The production of RKO Pictures was based on a story by Fritz Falkenstein Morse and Brewster.

Action

The Mennonite Martha Martin from Pennsylvania wants to move to Kansas to there widower Henry Johnson to be close. She can afford the money for the train not afford it and wants to borrow from her brother, William Decker. The however, refuses to give her the $ 92 required and writes a letter to Henry that he, if he wanted to marry Mary, was to send her the money for the train. Martha's son Tommy has compassion for his mother. He tears up the letter and wants his collection of old newspapers at the Flea Samuel Terwilliger sell. The gives him a dollar and a harmonica as a gift. That same evening, Tommy is punished by the pious William because he has accepted the harmonica as a gift and they did not deserve. Tommy runs to Sam and convinced him to bring him to Philadelphia, where Tommy is hoping to earn the money for the train ride.

The next day, William noticed the lack of a 20 dollar bill. The bill has come between Tommy's newspapers. William accuses Tommy Martha against a thief. In Philadelphia, Tommy finds a position on an ice rink right near Sam's business. With its Sangeskünsten he impressed Mr. Kane, the owner of the rink. With the six year old skater Irene Dare Tommy to give an idea and received $ 25 a week. Sam should send the money home, but keeps secret $ 20 for themselves.

The fraud comes to light soon. Tommy returns frustrated back home, where he is immediately accused by William of theft. Tommy vows to prove his innocence before the trip to Kansas. With the help of the repentant Sam he finds the bill between the newspapers that Sam has used as a cushion for a supposedly antique chair. The chair was then sent to Washington by Sam. Finally rehabilitated Tommy adopted by Sam and his career as a singer and travels with his mother to Kansas.

Criticism

Frank S. Nugent of the New York Times criticized the thin and immature substance of the film. Besides the songs that Bobby Breen contends, and the comic elements of Charles Ruggles, the rest is nothing.

Awards

1939 Victor Young received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score.

Background

The film premiered on September 22, 1938 its premiere. Production had to make do without big stars, but gathered an ensemble of well-known character actors behind.