Easy Living (1949)

12% want to see it
(26 ratings)

No relation to the 1937 screwball comedy of the same name, Easy Living is a film about the world of professional sports. Victor Mature plays Pete Wilson, star halfback of the New York Chiefs. Well past his prime, Wilson would like to retire to a coaching job, but his rival Tim McCarr (Sonny Tufts)… More No relation to the 1937 screwball comedy of the same name, Easy Living is a film about the world of professional sports. Victor Mature plays Pete Wilson, star halfback of the New York Chiefs. Well past his prime, Wilson would like to retire to a coaching job, but his rival Tim McCarr (Sonny Tufts) beats him to it. Financially, Wilson is really in no position to retire; unfortunately, he has learned that he suffers from a potentially deadly heart condition. To make matters worse, he's on the outs with his wife Liza (Lizabeth Scott), who has become disillusioned with the status of "team wife." A brief dalliance with team secretary Anne (an excellent performance from Lucille Ball) results in Anne's selfless efforts to help Wilson put his marriage -- and his life -- back together. Though he was ignored by contemporary reviewers, future talk-show host Jack Paar has an amusing supporting role. Most of the football players seen in Easy Living were drawn from the ranks of the real-life L.A. Rams. The film was based on a story by novelist Irwin Shaw. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Jacques Tourneur
Genres: Drama

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Sometimes interesting but sexist tale about football, with some good Tourneur touches.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
This would-be intelligent soap opera tale about the early days of pro football never reaches a boil.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Solid drama with Lucy excellent as Victor Mature's secretary who carries a torch for him and Lizabeth Scott silky rotten as his grasping wife.

Cast

            Victor Mature as Pete Wilson

            Lizabeth Scott as Liza Wilson

            Lucille Ball as Anne

            Sonny Tufts as Tim McCarr

            Lloyd Nolan as Lenahan

            Paul Stewart as Argus

            Jack Paar as Scoop Spooner

            Jeff Donnell as Penny McCarr

            Art Baker as Howard Vollmer

            Gordon Jones as Bill Holloran

            Don Beddoe as Jaeger

            William 'Bill' Phillips as Ozzie

            Charles Lang as Whitey

            Kenny Washington as Benny

            Julia Dean as Mrs. Belle Ryan

            Everett Glass as Virgil Ryan

            Robert Ellis as Urchin

            Alex Sharp as Dan

            Russell Thorson as Hunk Edwards

            Audrey Young as Singer

            Los Angeles Rams as Themselves

            Michael St. Angel as Gilbert Vollmer

            Jim Backus as Dr. Franklin

            Alan Dinehart III as Urchins

            Dick Ryan as Bartender

            Carl Saxe as Man

            Audrey Wilder as Singer

            Richard Erdman as Buddy Morgan

            Jackie Jackson
            
            William Erwin
            
            W.J. O'Brien
            
            Robert Graham
            
            Albin Robeling as Chef

            Erin Selwyn as Nurse
See full cast