Invitation to Happiness


1h 37m 1939

Brief Synopsis

Trainer Pop Hardy thinks his heavyweight boxer 'King' Cole could be champ...some day; he wants to sell a half interest in Cole to his rich friend Wayne. Wayne's daughter Eleanor is disdainful, but brash Cole manages to get under her skin. Can a society dame and a mug find happiness together? And can she wait for his slow rise to fame?

Film Details

Genre
Comedy
Drama
Romance
Sports
Release Date
Jun 16, 1939
Premiere Information
New York opening: week of 8 Jun 1939
Production Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 37m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
10 reels

Synopsis

When socialite Eleanor Wayne meets Albert "King" Cole, a cocky, uncouth boxer whose contract her father has just purchased, the two fall in love and are married. Soon after their wedding, Albert, who is consumed with winning the world championship, leaves his wife behind as he travels the country entering matches. The self-sacrificing Eleanor permits her husband's career to take precedence over her needs as a wife, and consequently faces the birth of their first born, Albert Jr., alone. The boy grows up resenting his absent father, and when Albert returns home years later, the boy shuns him. Albert, his pride hurt and believing that Eleanor no longer loves him, leaves her. Eleanor then sues for divorce and wins, but Albert is awarded custody of their son for the first six months. Albert does everything in his power to win Albert Jr.'s love, but it is not until the night of the championship match, when Albert meets defeat, that he gains the respect of his son and regains the love of his wife, who is waiting for him at ringside.

Film Details

Genre
Comedy
Drama
Romance
Sports
Release Date
Jun 16, 1939
Premiere Information
New York opening: week of 8 Jun 1939
Production Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Distribution Company
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 37m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
10 reels

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

An early Hollywood Reporter production chart places Donald O'Connor in the cast, but his participation in the final film has not been confirmed. According to news items in Hollywood Reporter, Paramount used 1,357 extras in the prizefight scene. Actor John Conte was an NBC sports announcer.