The Most Precious Thing in Life explained

The Most Precious Thing in Life is a 1934 American pre-Code film directed by Lambert Hillyer^[1] and starring Richard Cromwell, Jean Arthur, Donald Cook, Anita Louise, and Mary Forbes.^{[2] [3] [4]}

The film tells a story about secret and selfless maternal devotion with elements of Madame X (1929) and Stella Dallas (1937).^[5] It is Jean Arthur's third film with Columbia.

Plot

Ellen Holmes, a girl from an ordinary family, marries a rich, yet spoiled, boy from a snobbish family. The pair has a son, but soon Ellen finds herself ousted from the life of her husband. However, she rediscovers her son years later.^{[6] [7] [8]}

Cast

• Richard Cromwell as Chris Kelsey
• Jean Arthur as Ellen Holmes, also known as Biddy and Babe
• Donald Cook as Bob Kelsey
• Anita Louise as Patty O'Day
• Mary Forbes as Mrs. Kelsey
• Jane Darwell as Mrs. O'Day
• Ben Alexander as Gubby Gerhart
• John Wray as Carter [Head janitor]
• Ward Bond as Head coach
• Dutch Hendrian as Assistant coach
• Paul Stanton as Mr. Kelsey
• Greta Meyer as Mrs. Svenson
• Samuel S. Hinds as Dean
• Maidel Turner as Dean's wife

Notes and References

1. Book: Goble . Alan . The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film . 8 September 2011 . . 978-3-11-095194-3 . 875 . 9 September 2021 . en.
2. Web site: MOST PRECIOUS THING IN LIFE (1934). Turner Classic Movies. tcm.com. December 30, 2015.
3. Web site: Most Precious Thing in Life (1934). UCLA. cinema.ucla.edu. December 30, 2015.
4. Web site: Most Precious Thing in Life. FilmAffinity. filmaffinity.com. December 30, 2015.
5. Web site: Landazuri. Margarita. Most Precious Thing in Life (1934). Turner Classic Movies. tcm.com. December 30, 2015.
6. Web site: Most Precious Thing in Life. AFI. afi.com. December 30, 2015.
7. Book: Corliss . Richard . 40 . Mom in the Movies: The Iconic Screen Mothers You Love (and a Few You Love to Hate) . 8 April 2014 . . 978-1-4767-3826-0 . 9 September 2021 . en.
8. Book: Conklin . John E. . Campus Life in the Movies: A Critical Survey from the Silent Era to the Present . 10 January 2014 . . 978-0-7864-5235-4 . 130 . 9 September 2021 . en.