They Shall Have Music
- Joel McCrea: Peter McCarthy
- Gene Reynolds: Frankie
- Andrea Leeds: Ann Lawson
- Walter Brennan: Professor Lawson
- Jascha Heifetz: he himself
- Porter Hall: Flower
- Terry Kilburn: Limey
- Tommy Kelly: Willie
- Marjorie Main: Mrs. Miller
- Arthur Hohl: Mr. Miller, Frankie's stepfather
Music for Life is an American musical film released in 1939 by Archie Mayo.
Action
The young Frankie lives in a rundown neighborhood poverty and gives himself to his daydreaming out where he is a brave hero. One day he hears an idea of violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz. Inspired by the performance Frankie digs out his old violin that was given to him as a young boy from his father. But Frankie's stepfather destroyed the instrument and sends Frankie to a boarding school. Frankie pulls from home.
The boy met Professor Lawson, a music teacher who runs a music school for underprivileged children with his daughter Ann. Lawson is impressed by Frankie's hearing and takes him to his school and to his house. The professor has no idea that the financial situation of the school is tense. The investor Flower wants the parents of the children pay school fees, otherwise the school is closed.
Frankie hears a conversation about this situation between Ann and her boyfriend Peter McCarthy. Frankie organized a demonstration on the street, at the join his classmates. The star violinist Heifetz hear one of the screenings and expressed his interest in the school. Peter told the donors that the star with the children will give a concert. On the eve of the planned concert Flower recognize, however, Peter was just bluffing. He sends his men to seize the instruments. However, Peter and Frankie can reach Heifetz, who arrives just in time for school to perform with the children and to save the school.
Criticism
The lexicon of the International film described the film as something sentimental family film.
Time Magazine gave the film for the triumphant answer to the former Hollywood theory that it was impossible to make a good movie about a great musician. The New York Times praised the crystal clear purity of Mr. Heifetz's game, the expressive melodies flow and the dramatic representation of the artist who has mastered his instrument. All this has helped give an effect of outstanding beauty that is almost unusual in this medium.
Awards
Alfred Newman received a 1940 Oscar nomination for Best Film Music.
Background
The film premiered on July 26, 1939 in New York 's premiere. In Germany, it was broadcast on 20 November 1976 German television.
Producer Goldwyn wanted to be the first person who made a film with the star violinist Jascha Heifetz. In the summer of 1938 Goldwyn Heifetz could contact them and take him for a few weeks under contract. At this time there was no script for the film. Goldwyn decided, in spite of everything to rotate the scenes with Heifetz ever. The idea with the students was directed by William Wyler.