O. Henry's Full House (1952)

"O. Henry's Full House" is a cinematic gemstone, intricately carved into five fascinating facets, each narrating a distinct tale inspired by the celebrated works of author O. Henry. Introduced by fellow writer, John Steinbeck, the film pays homage to the mastery and wit of William Sidney Porter, better known by his pseudonym, O. Henry. The film opens up to the raw chill of an approaching New York winter in "The Cop and the Anthem". Here, viewers meet Soapy, a street-smart vagrant and his friend, Horace. Soapy's singular goal is to secure a warm prison cell for the winter, a quest that unfolds with unexpected turns. "The Clarion Call" introduces us to Barney Woods, a New York detective entangled in a web of past debts and present duty when a murder case leads him to a childhood friend, Johnny Kernan. This segment is a dance of moral dilemmas, as Barney grapples with the decision to arrest Johnny or repay the thousand-dollar debt he owes him. In "The Last Leaf", we journey to the working-class Greenwich Village. The tale revolves around Jo Goodwin, who is battling pneumonia and heartbreak. Jo, her caring sister, Susan, and their boisterous upstairs neighbor, Mr. Behrman, are caught in a poignant dance between life, death, and the mysterious power of a leaf clinging to an ivy vine. In "The Ransom of Red Chief", the scene shifts to rural Alabama where con men Slick Sam and Weeping Willie hatch a plot to kidnap young J.B. Dorset for ransom. However, they soon realize they may have bitten off more than they can chew with the resourceful J.B. and his unconventional family. The film closes with "The Gift of the Magi", a heartfelt Christmas tale of sacrifice and love. Penniless newlyweds, Jim and Della Young, strive to buy each other the perfect Christmas gift, demonstrating the lengths one will go to for love. "O. Henry's Full House" takes viewers on a remarkable journey, blending humor, irony, and sentimentality in a manner akin to O. Henry's distinctive writing style. Each tale is an exploration of human nature, rich with unexpected twists, sincere emotions, and captivating characters that linger long after the lights fade.

O. Henry's Full House is a drama movie featuring Marilyn Monroe.

It is possible to buy O. Henry's Full House on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.