Commentary
As the cost of everything continues rising amid increasing inflation, it’s hard for families to make ends meet and still have a little left over for fun. Financial worries are nothing new for our wonderful nation. In the earlier twentieth century, many Americans had to operate on a strict budget, first during the Great Depression of the 1930s and later during the shortages and rationing of World War II in the 1940s. Thus, many films, magazine articles, and books from that era dealt with how to thrive on a conservative budget.
One great example of a movie which shows a family enjoying the simple pleasures of life on a small budget is “Listen, Darling” from 1938. This is an obscure MGM musical with four huge stars of their day: Judy Garland, Freddie Bartholomew, Mary Astor, and Walter Pidgeon. The supporting cast also includes recognizable character actors of the 1930s and 40s, including Gene Lockhart, Charles Grapewin, and Alan Hale….