Little Gloria... Happy at Last

I remember seeing this one weekend years back, and really thought the story was cruel. The film portrays the custody battle of young socialite Gloria Vanderbilt, legend in the world of fashion design, and the possible ramifications of this emotional turmoil.

The thing that struck me about this movie was that it didn't feel like a movie. It was technically very competent, but didn't move well. There were props, there were costumes, there were sets, even one or two locations (though I seem to recall that most of the movie was comprised of interior shots), but there was little in terms of moving the story along, and less action.

Most of the film, from what I recall, was comprised of emotional vignettes. Like they were episodes out of a TV series as opposed to a feature film. Now that I've found this entry on the IMDb I understand that this was a made for TV movie, which makes a little more sense. Even so, not that I know that and it explains my viewing experience, I can't say that I would recommend this film nor call it good. It struck me as a movie made about a wealthy individual's childhood. A story that had emotional ups and downs, but otherwise wasn't much different than any other custody battle except that it involved the rich and famous.

And I guess that's what gets me about this film. For all of its gloss the basic tale wasn't anything more than a glitzed up version of "Kramer versus Kramer" or a made for TV movie thereof. We see suggestive tawdry details, but we're not really privy as to whether they're actually true or not. And that's the other thing that holds back this film; you don't know how much truth there is on either side of the trial. So, as a viewer, what do you do with that? I endured it, and sat through it, but to be exceedingly honest, I wish I had tuned it out.

I can't recommend this film in any capacity unless you're into the whole custody battle thing, and like stories about rich and famous people's childhoods. It's visually rich in terms of the shots that are there, and you do sympathize with young Gloria as her family tears itself asunder, but if this had been a couple in a trailer park, or a couple living out in rural or mountainous America, would you still find it interesting? If it had been a couple in India, Bhutan, outer Mongolia, Portugal, Brazilian Amazon, would you still tune in and sit through it? Of course you wouldn't.

I saw it once, and once was enough. To be fair it's an okay movie for what it is, but the entire production felt like it could have been more in terms of material portrayed, as well as trimmed down in terms of length.

Give it a shot.

"Little Gloria...Happy at Last" is a two-part television mini-series about the unhappy childhood and child custody trial for Gloria Vanderbilt.

The story begins with Gloria Morgan meeting and falling for Reggie Vanderbilt. They soon marry, have a child and then Reggie dies...all withing about 2-3 years. The widow soon learns how dire her financial situation is. The alcoholic Reggie apparently blew through almost his entire fortune. Apart from a couple properties, the only other asset is a trust fund for $2,500,000. But since Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt is not yet 21, an executor is appointed to dispense money for little Gloria.

During the next eight or so years, the mother mostly parties and has fun in Europe...while leaving the child to be raised by a goofy nanny...often in a different country. To call the mother neglectful and selfish would be reasonable. When Gloria Morgan later petitions to have herself appointed little Gloria's guardian (and get rid of the court appointed executor), the trial has a surprising twist, as Gloria Morgan's own mother and step-sister file for custody of the child. Is this a selfless thing being done to save poor little Gloria...or is a bid to try to take control of the child's trust fund?

Part one of the story consists of Gloria Morgan and Reggie Vanderbilt meeting, marrying, Reggie dying and the mother and child leaving to live in Europe. Part two picks up just after the petition by Gloria Morgan's mother and step-sister is filed. Most of the second part is about the hysteria and ensuing trial. Through all this, what's best for little Gloria seems secondary...at best.

The reason I watched this mini-series is mostly because it's one of Bette Davis' final performances. She was just fine though wasn't a major character in the shows. Now this doesn't mean the mini-series is bad...just that if you only care about Davis, you might be disappointed.

Overall, this is a very good but also an incredibly sad mini-series. Well acted and well made throughout.

I'm watching the movie now, even though I've seen it before. Now I have a better insight of it. Little Gloria was spoiled, just like the kids of today with parents who have money. Her nanny coached her on what to say and, write about her mother. But what else would you expect. Her mother was wrong thinking only about herself. The Vanderbilt, and huttons, and others back then, thought they owned the world. But their lives were filled with tragedy, and sorrow. Once you start giving a child everything thing they want, it's your fault how they turn out. Don't get me wrong, it's ok to have plenty of money, but teach kids morals and structure.

They don't make miniseries like this any more. Superb all star cast playing interesting historical characters in a straightforward clear and detailed way. Better than a lot of newer series that muddle things with non linear plots and focus on the obscure and salacious. Here the reasons for the custody battle financial and otherwise are clearly explained.

Lucy Gutteridge plays the too young widow who gallivants through Europe. Angela Lansbury plays Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney of the Museum game the aunt who alongside the nasty money faced Mother sues for custody of little Gloria. Supporting cast are so well cast including Christopher Plummer as the Father who died.

The sets and mansions are sumptuous. The trial is riveting. Along with Poor Little Rich Girl this one is just superb.

Watching Little Gloria forthe first time what struck me about this film is how the women were totally running the show. Old Commodore Vanderbilt may have made the family fortune from the New York Central Railroad, but by the 20s and 30s the women were certainly running the show.

The only male Vanderbilt is Christopher Plummer playing Reginld Vanderbilt and he's a wastrel just wasting away. In his 40s he marries Lucy Guttridge and the marriage lasts long enough to produce Little Gloria our subject. Plummer dies from the excesses of a partying life Prohibition spirits no doubt helped.

Jennifer Dundas plays Little Gloria the heir to a trust fund set up by her grandfather who wisely knew Plummer would blow it. But when he dies Dundas becomes the center of a custody battle between Guttridge who has a hedonistic lifestyle in Europe and Plummer's sister Angela Lansbury.

This was a good mini-series which even had an appearance by Bette Davis playing Plummer and Lansbury's mother the Vanderbilt grand dame. But the appearances I liked were that of Maureen Stapleton the nurse who poisoned Little Gloria's mind against her mom and Glynis Johns who was Guttridge's mother and quite the character herself.

All this was entertainment fodder for the Depression masses. Little Gloria certainly captures the mood of the times.