I'd never heard of the quiz show which forms the framing device but really this is an anthology movie, in brief vogue at the time. All the episodes were directed by Arthur Lubin who does a decent job - there's a fine performance from the child actors. It doesn't quite work as a satisfactory movie though.
The coathanger consists of scenes from the quiz show. This is awkward and self conscious. Actors trying to be real. Maybe it's an accurate reflection of the show, I don't know. But it got on my nerves.
The three stories:
* "The Gossamer World" - a kid has a fantasy world. This was ho hum, Eisenhower era family stuff (even if Truman was in charge), nicely acted but a bit dull. Then the kid gets polio which packs a wallop - I'm a parent and can imagine what that would be like.More of that and this would've been better. It takes too long.
* "High Diver" - the son of an immigrant decides to dive off a high board. Lots of immigrant parent acting. Ugh. There's a trampy circus performer who of course is a villain. Leonard Nimoy pops up. Dull.
*"Horsie" - an infants nurse is ugly... face like a horse's face. This was awkward. Not fun. The father is such a douche. Dorothy Parker's short story was a satire - the point of that is robbed. Not good.
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