The First Year (1926)
Comedy | 24 January 1926
Cast:
Matt Moore, Kathryn Perry, John Patrick [ More ]Director:
Frank BorzageWriter:
Frances MarionCinematographer:
Chester LyonsProduction Company:
Fox Film Corp.The First Year, based on the 1920 play by Frank Craven, was announced in the 28 Feb 1925 Moving Picture World as one of Fox Film Corp.’s forthcoming releases. The adaptation was billed as one of seven pictures included in Fox’s “John Golden Unit of Clean American Pictures,” named for the successful theatrical producer, John Golden, according to an advertisement in the 9 Sep 1925 Var. The 28 Mar 1925 Moving Picture World indicated that Fox paid $1 million to John Golden for rights to several of his properties, including The First Year.
On 18 Jul 1925, Moving Picture World reported that Frances Marion had been hired to write the scenario. Frank Borzage was announced as the director in the 30 Aug 1925 FD. The 4 Sep 1925 FD stated that casting was underway, and the 13 Sep 1925 FD named Matt Moore as the lead actor.
The 16 Oct 1925 FD noted that filming would soon begin at the Fox Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Cast members were listed in the 7 Nov 1925 Moving Picture World as follows: J. Farrell MacDonald as “Dr. Livingston”; Emily Fitzroy as “Mrs. (‘Ma’) Livingston”; and Margaret Livingston as “Mrs. Barstow”. However, the 14 Nov 1925 Motion Picture News reported that due to scheduling conflicts with two other Fox productions, J. Farrell MacDonald and Emily Fitzroy had been replaced by Frank Currier and Virginia Madison, respectively. Sometime later, J. Farrell MacDonald was recast ...
The First Year, based on the 1920 play by Frank Craven, was announced in the 28 Feb 1925 Moving Picture World as one of Fox Film Corp.’s forthcoming releases. The adaptation was billed as one of seven pictures included in Fox’s “John Golden Unit of Clean American Pictures,” named for the successful theatrical producer, John Golden, according to an advertisement in the 9 Sep 1925 Var. The 28 Mar 1925 Moving Picture World indicated that Fox paid $1 million to John Golden for rights to several of his properties, including The First Year.
On 18 Jul 1925, Moving Picture World reported that Frances Marion had been hired to write the scenario. Frank Borzage was announced as the director in the 30 Aug 1925 FD. The 4 Sep 1925 FD stated that casting was underway, and the 13 Sep 1925 FD named Matt Moore as the lead actor.
The 16 Oct 1925 FD noted that filming would soon begin at the Fox Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Cast members were listed in the 7 Nov 1925 Moving Picture World as follows: J. Farrell MacDonald as “Dr. Livingston”; Emily Fitzroy as “Mrs. (‘Ma’) Livingston”; and Margaret Livingston as “Mrs. Barstow”. However, the 14 Nov 1925 Motion Picture News reported that due to scheduling conflicts with two other Fox productions, J. Farrell MacDonald and Emily Fitzroy had been replaced by Frank Currier and Virginia Madison, respectively. Sometime later, J. Farrell MacDonald was recast in the role of “Mr. Barstow,” according to film reviews.
The 28 Nov 1925 Motion Picture News indicated that principal photography was still underway, and anticipated a 24 Jan 1926 release. The 19 Dec 1925 Motion Picture News announced that filming was completed. Editing was expected to be finished in the next few days, as stated in the 26 Dec 1925 Motion Picture News.
The 10 Jan 1926 FD review deemed The First Year “a delightful comedy.”
The 10 Mar 1926 Var review declared that naysayers did not believe a film adaptation could portray the “subtleties” of the stage play, but the film delivered thanks to the efforts of scenarist Frances Marion and director Frank Borzage. Both reviews also praised the “corking” cast.
The First Year was adapted by Fox again in 1932, starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, and directed by William K. Howard (see entry).
The First Year was restored by The Film Foundation, an organization founded in 1990 by director Martin Scorsese.
Tom Tucker, an easygoing, bashful type, marries Grace Livingston and moves with her to a small country town. During the first year of their marriage, Grace, who is more ambitious for Tom than he is for himself, becomes discontented and restless. Tom, who finally works up a deal with a railroad company from which he stands to make a lot of money, invites the principals in the deal, Mr. and Mrs. Barstow, to dinner. The dinner is a disaster: the maid is inexperienced and clumsy; Grace lets slip an unfortunate remark; and Dick Loring, once a rival for Grace's love, drops in unexpectedly. When Grace realizes that Tom may spoil the deal, she goes to her mother's house. While she is gone, Tom signs the final papers and goes after Grace. They are reconciled, and Tom learns that she is going to have a ...
Tom Tucker, an easygoing, bashful type, marries Grace Livingston and moves with her to a small country town. During the first year of their marriage, Grace, who is more ambitious for Tom than he is for himself, becomes discontented and restless. Tom, who finally works up a deal with a railroad company from which he stands to make a lot of money, invites the principals in the deal, Mr. and Mrs. Barstow, to dinner. The dinner is a disaster: the maid is inexperienced and clumsy; Grace lets slip an unfortunate remark; and Dick Loring, once a rival for Grace's love, drops in unexpectedly. When Grace realizes that Tom may spoil the deal, she goes to her mother's house. While she is gone, Tom signs the final papers and goes after Grace. They are reconciled, and Tom learns that she is going to have a baby.
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