It's a Wise Child: Surprisingly Fun, Even Today

So, is It's a Wise Child worth your time today? Yeah, actually, it mostly is. If you're into those pre-Code comedies, where the rules were a bit... looser, you'll probably have a good time. Anyone expecting modern pacing or deep emotional resonance will likely find it a bit slow, maybe even *quaint*.

This one's all about Marion Davies playing Joyce, a young woman in a small town. Her family's trying to marry her off to this *older* guy, and she's just not having it. So, what's a girl to do? Pretend to be pregnant, naturally. A big lie, but it sure shakes things up. 🤰

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of It's a Wise Child (1931) through its definitive frames.

Davies, she's really the star here. Her facial expressions when she's trying to look 'distressed' or 'pregnant' are just gold. You can see her almost *winking* at the camera sometimes, like she knows this whole situation is absurd.

The town's reaction is the real engine of the film. Everyone's whispering. The way the camera cuts between different gossips, like Marie Prevost's character, just adds to the chaos. It’s a riot of speculation.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of It's a Wise Child (1931) through its definitive frames.

The guy she's supposed to marry, he's just *so* oblivious. Robert McWade plays him as a total dope, which makes Joyce's plan feel less mean and more like sheer self-preservation.

And then the hunt for the father begins! Poor Lester Vail, as Bill, gets dragged into it. He's got this earnest, slightly confused look on his face for half the movie, which is pretty funny.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of It's a Wise Child (1931) through its definitive frames.

Some scenes drag a little, especially early on. You're just waiting for the lie to drop. But once it does, things really pick up. The back-and-forth between the townspeople trying to piece things together is the *best* part.

There's this one moment where a neighbor just casually drops a comment about Joyce's 'condition' over a fence. It’s so perfectly *small town* gossip. No big dramatic reveal, just a quiet, devastating piece of information.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of It's a Wise Child (1931) through its definitive frames.

The dialogue is sharp for its time, especially the exchanges between Joyce and her family. They’re trying to control her, and she’s just so cleverly deflecting their every move.

The humor comes from the sheer audacity of Joyce's plan and how everyone around her just *believes* it, even when the evidence is... thin. Ben Alexander's character, Eddie, is particularly good at being exasperated by the whole thing. 😠

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of It's a Wise Child (1931) through its definitive frames.

The costumes are charming, very 1930s. And the small-town setting feels cozy, which makes the huge lie even more jarring.

It makes you think about how different these stories would be today. No internet, no easy way to fact-check a sudden pregnancy claim. Just good old-fashioned rumor mills doing the heavy lifting. A simpler time, maybe, but still full of drama. 🧐

The ending wraps things up maybe a bit too neatly, but it’s satisfying enough. You root for Joyce, even with her crazy plan, hoping she gets her way in the end.

It’s not a film that’ll change your life, but it’s a *charming* little watch. A nice glimpse into a time when comedies weren't afraid to be a bit scandalous, but still had a sweet heart.