THE GOOD FAIRY (1935)
Based on a Hungarian short story and directed by the legendary William Wyler, this oldie is a slightly corny, yet endearing little bite of cotton candy. A bit of research on the charming leading lady, Margaret Sullavan, reveals a surprisingly troubled woman. She was briefly married to Wyler at the time this film was made, and had a string of other short marriages, including once to Henry Fonda. From watching her sparkle in The Good Fairy, you would never guess Sullavan was someone who struggled with mental illness throughout her life, until her untimely death in 1960.
The Good Fairy is the story of Luisa, a cheerful do-gooder hired out of an orphanage for work as an usherette at a newfangled cinema. Her naïve good-doing gets her into trouble when she concocts a plan to deflect the attentions of a lecherous millionaire and simultaneously help out a stranger. A cute, funny fable and a nice break from some of the heavy dramas we’ve seen this year. – [imdb]