To right a past wrong, wealthy May Robson (as Cornelia Wheelwright) arrives in New York from Switzerland to find the granddaughter of an old family rival and move into her boarding house, intending to give the young woman a million dollars. Young lawyer Jeffrey Lynn (as James "Jim" Amory) finds pretty Priscilla Lane (as Pamela "Pam" McAllister) working as a lowly department store clerk. He also sees Ms. Lane as a potential romantic partner, but she is dating struggling musician Ronald Reagan (as Peter "Pete" Rowan). Shortly before the 30 minute mark, Ms. Lane has a leggy lingerie scene. Otherwise, this bland romance is highlighted by newcomer Curtis Bernhardt's sprightly direction and a strong supporting cast.***** Million Dollar Baby (5/31/41) Curtis Bernhardt ~ Priscilla Lane, May Robson, Jeffrey Lynn, Ronald Reagan

May Robson excelled in parts of eccentric characters. We saw this in "Lady for A Day," which earned her a best actress nomination and years later was the Glenn Ford-Bette Davis vehicle of "Pocketful of Miracles."In this 1941 wonderful film, Miss Robson plays a very wealthy dowager who learns that her father swindled a man causing the latter to commit suicide. To be repentant, Robson leaves Europe to come to N.Y. and give the granddaughter, a wonderful Priscilla Lane, $1,000,000.Lane is living in a small housing tenement with an assortment of characters. Her boyfriend, a pianist, lives there. Ronald Reagan is just great here in a comical turn as well as being moody and philosophical about life. This is his second best performance to "King's Row."This Cinderella-like tale conveys the idea that money can't bring happiness. Jeffrey Lynn is in fine form as Miss White's attorney who gives Lane the money and falls for her romantically.A wonderful film with the venerable May Robson stealing the show.

Don't tune this one in if you're expecting the Clint Eastwood classic, someone may try and slip this one by you. Not that this Million Dollar Baby is entirely bad. It's the kind of silliness that an incredibly skilled group of familiar players make palatable so that you can accept the nonsense on some level.May Robson does her Applie Annie role in reverse, she's the dowager spinster heiress of an old robber baron whom she discovers got his fortune by bilking a partner back in the day who committed suicide. Seeking to right some wrongs Robson discovers the granddaughter and heir of the deceased partner is Priscilla Lane, proud working person where you find Million Dollar Babies, in a five and ten cent store.Her lawyer, young Jeffrey Lynn is the agent for Robson's largess, quite a dapper fellow himself. Priscilla's got a boyfriend though, struggling composer Ronald Reagan. Given what Reagan's politics were when he became President of the United States it's a bit much to her him railing against the rich, but who would have figured in 1941.Some of the best character players around fill out the rest of the cast of Million Dollar Baby and they make the incredible story entertaining in its own way. Helen Westley as Lane's landlady, John Qualen as an eccentric scientist, George Barbier as Robson's former attorney, Lee Patrick as a burlesque queen. There isn't a name I've mentioned in that group that doesn't summon up an image and type that old film viewers know exactly what to expect.That cast gives Million Dollar Baby the vitality it has. As for Priscilla and her new found millions, will she choose lawyer Lynn or composer Reagan. I won't say, but I will tell you that I think she chose wrong.

When crotchety old May Robson discovers that her father cheated his best friend out of his share of their business (causing his suicide), she sets out to find the man's descendants to give them part of her fortune. In New York City, her young lawyer (Jeffrey Lynn) locates the man's perky granddaughter (Priscilla Lane), a struggling shopgirl. Living in Helen Westley's decrepit boarding house with her struggling piano player boyfriend (Ronald Reagen) down the hall, Lane befriends Robson who moves into the boarding house to check her out. Then, Lynn arrives to see Lane while she is working to inform her of her new fortune. Of course, she thinks he's a masher, and Reagen also takes a dislike to him as well. Once everything comes out, the way is paved for a lot of chaos, laughs, and lessons.Resembling "The Devil & Miss Jones" released the same year, we have May Robson in place of Charles Coburn as the crusty millionaire. Their motives were totally different: Robson was giving away her fortune, while Coburn was spying on union activism in his store. However, they end up involved in the romantic involvements of the young people they become attached to.Lovably cantankerous, Robson is delightful, and as her surrogate granddaughter, Lane is fine as well. Best remembered for "Four Daughters" (with her two sisters) and "Arsenic and Old Lace", Lane is charming and delightful. Jeffrey Lynn is handsome and suave, while future President Reagan gives a not-too-bad performance as well. In a small role, well known character comedienne Lee Patrick is hysterical as a hot-tempered balloon dancer who exchanges barbs with salty Helen Westley, another delightful mature character actress of the 30's and 40's. Robson and Westley could have easily switched roles.Worth seeing, "Million Dollar Baby" was one of those wonderful Warner Brothers ensemble pieces that still manages to stand the test of time.