Joy of Living (1938)

A beacon on Broadway, Margaret Garret, affectionately known as Maggie, has ascended from humble origins to become the star of her latest spectacle, "Glamour". Her sparkling journey to stardom is shadowed by the weight of her family - her parents Dennis and Minerva Garret, sister Salina Pine, brother-in-law Bert Pine, and their twin cherubs, Betsy and Dotsy - all of whom luxuriously reside with Maggie, relishing the high life on her dime. Hailing from a background of performers, Dennis and Minerva believe they hung up their artistic dreams to nurture Maggie's, while Salina, harboring her own starlit aspirations and doubling as Maggie's understudy, accuses Maggie of stifling her potential. Maggie toils tirelessly to ensure the success of her shows, juggling song rehearsals, script revisions, and her swarm of zealous fans, all while bearing the burden of her family's extravagant lifestyle. Despite her faithful secretary Harrison's incessant warnings, it takes a newspaper headline for her to comprehend her financial ruin, though she stubbornly denies her family's role in it. Enter Dan Webster, an ardent admirer from the audience. Initially mistaken for a masher in the frenzy of fandom, he finds himself at the police station. Undeterred by this encounter, the wealthy cargo ship owner, who sails the globe seeking joy, becomes a notable presence in Maggie's life. Dan, smitten by Maggie's radiant aura, yearns to introduce her to the joy of living unburdened. As their bond deepens, Dan guides Maggie on a journey of self-discovery and uninhibited fun. Yet, for Maggie to truly embrace the joy of living, she must confront the harsh reality of her family's parasitic nature, a truth Harrison has strived to expose since her rise to fame. This delightful tale explores the transformation of a worn-out starlet as she learns to balance the glitz of Broadway with the simple joys of life.

Joy of Living is a comedy movie featuring Irene Dunne.

Joy of Living is currently streaming on TCM.