O. Henry's Full House

1952
Approved
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Marilyn Monroe, Anne Baxter, Charles Laughton, Richard Widmark, Jeanne Crain, Fred Allen, Farley Granger, Oscar Levant, Jean Peters, Gregory Ratoff, Dale Robertson, and David Wayne in O. Henry's Full House (1952)

John Steinbeck introduces a quintet of five of O. Henry's most celebrated stories from his New York Period (1902-1910) in this anthology film.John Steinbeck introduces a quintet of five of O. Henry's most celebrated stories from his New York Period (1902-1910) in this anthology film.John Steinbeck introduces a quintet of five of O. Henry's most celebrated stories from his New York Period (1902-1910) in this anthology film.

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
John Steinbeck opens an O. Henry volume at the start of each segment, and the viewers are shown the first one or two paragraphs of the upcoming story's first page. However, only the introductions to "The Ransom of Red Chief" and "The Gift of the Magi" show exactly what O. Henry wrote at the start of that tale. What is shown prior to the other three yarns is similar to, but not exactly, O. Henry's actual opening words.

Goofs
In the first segment, as the man who had the umbrella runs off, a shadow of the camera can be seen on Horace's back.

Quotes
Soapy (segment "The Cop and the Anthem"): It may interest to you to know, my good man, that I and the minutest coin of the realm are total strangers.
Waiter (segment "The Cop and the Anthem"): How's that?
Soapy (segment "The Cop and the Anthem"): I said I was broke!

Alternate versions
The "Ransom of Red Chief" segment was deleted after the film's initial engagements, then restored in the television prints.

Connections
Featured in Marilyn (1963)

Soundtracks
Bringing in the Sheaves
(1880) (uncredited)
Music by George A. Minor
Lyrics by Knowles Shaw
Played and sung by The Bowery Mission Band

User reviews48

Review

Featured review

7/10

Fun House

Although known for his surprise endings, the endings of the five tales told here are not all that surprising. The "The Cop and the Anthem" (Rating 6 of 10) is a bit heavy-handed and contrived. In "The Clarion Call" (Rating 7), Widmark not only reunites with "Kiss of Death" director Hathaway but seems to be (over)playing his role from the earlier film. "The Last Leaf" (Rating 8) is touching and well-acted, particularly by Peters. The much-maligned "The Ransom of the Red Chief" (Rating 8) is the only comedy here and is quite amusing. O. Henry's most famous story, "The Gift of the Magi" (Rating 6), is rather unsatisfying. All in all, a mixed bag but well worth watching.