Is Life Begins at Eight-Thirty Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Life Begins at Eight-Thirty is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 85 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty Review
Last updated: January 9, 2026
The Premise
Released in 1942, Life Begins at Eight-Thirty enters the Drama genre with a narrative focused on Kathy lives in a cramped New York flat with her father Madden Thomas, a celebrated actor brought down by drink. Under the direction of Irving Pichel, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Monty Woolley, Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Aspects & Direction
From a technical standpoint, Life Begins at Eight-Thirty offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
Where to Watch
As of January 2026, Life Begins at Eight-Thirty is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
Final Thoughts
With an audience rating of 6.5/10, the reception has been generally positive. For fans of Drama, it serves as a worthy addition to the watchlist.
Cast of Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
- Monty Woolley – Madden Thomas
- Ida Lupino – Kathy Thomas
- Cornel Wilde – Robert Carter
- Sara Allgood – Alma Lothian, Robert's Aunt
- Melville Cooper – Barty
Top Highlights
Monty WoolleyMadden Thomas
Ida LupinoKathy Thomas
Cornel WildeRobert Carter
Sara AllgoodAlma Lothian, Robert's Aunt
Melville CooperBarty
J. Edward BrombergSid Gordon
William DemarestPolice Officer
Hal K. DawsonProducer
William HalliganSgt. McNamara
Milton Parsonsannouncer
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.5/10, and global collection metrics, Life Begins at Eight-Thirty stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1942 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Life Begins at Eight-Thirty movie hit or flop?
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Life Begins at Eight-Thirty worth watching?
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is Life Begins at Eight-Thirty?
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty is a Drama movie that Kathy lives in a cramped New York flat with her father Madden Thomas, a celebrated actor brought down by drink. Lame from an early age and feeling tra...
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Critic Reviews
Maybe if celebrated actor "Madden" (Monty Woolley) hadn't fallen foul of the bottle, he might have stayed at the top of his game. He didn't, though, and so he has to share his small flat with daughter "Kathy" (Ida Lupino). She hasn't her problems to seek, either. She's lived with this man for all of her life and the consequent limitations, coupled with a gammy leg, are driving her to distraction. Fortunately, serendipity takes some interest in her happiness by bringing "Robert" (Cornel Wilde) to their building, and after a rather boozed-up introduction to her father, he starts to take some interest in the young woman. All they really need is for dad to get a job, then maybe they have a chance of romance and happiness. Perhaps the bard of Stratford-upon-Avon can help out, too? I think you either liked Woolley or you didn't - he certainly wasn't remotely versatile and only had the one characterisation to display. I did enjoy the embittered, sarcastic, personas at which he excelled and here we add loads of bourbon to further intoxicate the mix. Neither Wilde nor Lupino really have enough to get their teeth into, but there's still enough of the story for them to make their presence felt as we head to a conclusion that is pretty predictable, but quite enjoyably arrived at. Is the sun over the yard arm yet? Well it might be at eight-thirty!