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This Is the Life

Name: This Is the Life
Director: Felix E. Feist
Released: 1944
Duration: 87 min

Representation Score

2.0/10

Limited

1944

Approved

Director

Felix E. Feist

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This 1944 romantic comedy-drama is a typical product of its time, relying heavily on conventional romantic misunderstandings and social navigation. While it features several professional women, they primarily serve to advance the central romantic conflicts. The narrative upholds, rather than challenges, the social and moral norms of the mid-20th century. The film does not intentionally address issues of race or non-cisgender identities, adhering to the homogeneous casting standards typical of the studio system during that period.

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Category Breakdown

Does This Is the Life have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film uses a misunderstanding about Major Jarret's personal life as a key plot point. Angela's mistake about Jarret having a fiancée serves as a turning point in the story rather than exploring his queer identity.

How does This Is the Life portray gender?

Fair

Several female characters, like Harriet and Sally McGuire, have professional roles. However, the story mainly revolves around the romantic pursuits and actions of the male leads.

How racially and ethnically diverse is This Is the Life?

Minimal

The film follows the homogeneous casting practices of 1944. The setting and characters suggest a typical Western, Anglo-Saxon social environment.

How does This Is the Life represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story operates within mid-20th century American values, focusing on inheritance and military service. Harriet's status as a divorced wife provides a minor deviation from strict moralism, but there is no deeper critique.

Does This Is the Life include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters dealing with physical disabilities, neurodivergence, or chronic illnesses.

Present on Screen

Features a range of professional female characters, including a photographer and an entertainer.
Depicts a divorced character, offering a minor deviation from strict mid-century moralism.

Limited or Absent

Does not explore LGBTQ+ identities meaningfully, using queer themes only as a plot device.
Maintains a racially homogeneous profile consistent with 1940s casting norms.
Narrative focuses mainly on male-driven romantic pursuits.

Official Synopsis

18-year-old Angela, reared in a New England town by her Aunt Betsy, receives an inheritance which she uses to go to New York, ostensibly for voice training, but she is pursuing Major Hilary Jarret, an Army surgeon with whom she has become infatuated. Her departure depresses her childhood friend Jimmy Plum. Dr. Plum devises an errand on which to send his love-sick son to New York, where Jimmy discovers Angela thinks she is Jarret's fiancée. Jimmy also renews acquaintances with a group of show people, including Sally McGuire, who attempts to console him. Jimmy meets Jarret's divorced wife, Harriet, famed photographer. Jimmy engineers a meeting of Jarret and Harriet with Angela present, which forms the beginning of an understanding that Jarret is not for her. Jimmy is inducted into the Army.

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