In the 1930’s (or close to it), a poor but talented painter falls in love with a girl from a wealthy family. They choose to live in his tiny apartment until he finds success, which he does, and they move to a lavish penthouse. His success grows, spurred by a friend of both husband and wife, who gets him to start painting requests, instead of his natural art. His success grows even more, but it changes him, and he’s not as happy painting these requests, and his wife recognizes it and it makes her unhappy as well. She laments for the days when they lived in his tiny apartment, they were happier there. An art professor stops by to ask him to speak at an art class, and he rudely refuses, and his wife apologizes. Soon after, his wife leaves him, hoping to draw him away from what he’s become. He finally sees that he’s not happy even though successful, and misses painting what he wants. He goes to the class the professor asked him to visit and gives a great speech. Towards the end of the movie, a man comes to pick up his portrait and the painter rips the canvass, destroying it, as an act of reclaiming his art. It’s a bit funny. The husband and wife get back together. I can’t recall any other details. I can’t recall the actors, either. I know I saw it on TCM but it was months ago, and even after reviewing their programming, I can’t identify it. Any help is apppreciated. Thanks!
1 Like
1 Like
The Light That Failed (1939)?
2 Likes