The Merry Frinks

At the beginning, this seems like an early version of "You Can't Take It You." It has a darker cast, though.

Aline MacMahon is saddled with one of the most ghastly families seen before the one on the Carol Burnett Show, which was spun off into "Mama's Family." Her husband, Hugh Herbert, is a sports writer described by his managing editor as a chronic alcoholic. Her daughter is selfish and dreams of a singing career. The son (Frankie Darro) is a truant who wants to become a fighter.

The demanding hypochondriac of a mother-in-law is there, too, constantly nagging. And none other than Allen Jenkins is her elder son. He is a lawyer and a Socialist.

Guy Kibbee shows up as a long-last relative. He's all they need in their cramped Bronx apartment.

The plot twists and turns. MacMahon is marvelous. And the rest of the cast does a fine job, too.