bkoganbing
Tenth Avenue Angel is a film about growing up and also about the disadvantages of same. It's never easy to discover that family and friends are sometimes all too human.Which is what happens to Margaret O'Brien as a little world she's created in her own mind. The biggest bit of disillusionment comes from George Murphy who is the fiancé of her aunt Angela Lansbury. True to the code of the street Murphy whose cab was used by holdup men clammed up and did nine months as an accessory. But young O'Brien has been told he's been on a trip around the world.It's not easy with her parents either. Her father Warner Anderson is an out of work musician and her mother Phyllis Thaxter is having one difficult pregnancy. On Christmas as Thaxter is in labor, Margaret may have to face the possibility of losing her. That's never easy at any age.Although at times Margaret O'Brien can be cloying and a bit much, in Tenth Avenue Angel she hits the mark of your heart strings. She put just the right amount of sentiment into her performance and face it, the film rises and falls on what she does on the screen and how you accept her.Tenth Avenue Angel is a wonderful family film about a little girl's Christmas in the Hell's Kitchen area of New York. And it holds up well for today.
wes-connors
In 1936 New York City, pretty pig-tailed Margaret O'Brien (as Flavia Mills) leads a charmed life. She roller-skates through traffic oblivious to danger, which works out well because the little "Tenth Avenue Angel" may be divinely protected. Young O'Brien believes in country, God and fantastical stories shared by several loving adults in her life, especially sweet mother Phyllis Thaxter (as Helen). One of these stories suggests mice bring money; another involves a magical cow...The difference between truth, lies and fantasy confuses O'Brien as nice guy George Murphy (as Steve) gets out of jail. O'Brien has been told Mr. Murphy was in Australia. Due to both the Depression and his criminal past, Murphy has trouble finding work as a taxi driver and marrying O'Brien's aunt Angela Lansbury (as Susan). This was not a bad story idea, but too saccharine an approach for the still capable little actress, who needed something less obvious to revitalize a limited career.***** Tenth Avenue Angel (2/20/48) Roy Rowland ~ Margaret O'Brien, George Murphy, Angela Lansbury, Phyllis Thaxter
rheapearl
Tenth Avenue Angel was a film that I have seen completely for the first time today. It stars Margaret O'brien, Angela Lansbury, and George Murphy. I am a big fan of Margaret O'brien. So naturally I enjoyed the movie very much. I highly recommend it!!!
pjj-3
I saw this movie as a child, and of course I have a different perspective than I would have had as an adult. I never forgot that she doubted God; because her Mom had told her about untrue superstitions.