Watch They Shall Have Music

They Shall Have Music is a heartwarming 1939 musical drama directed by Archie Mayo. The movie is set in New York City and follows a gifted violinist named Frankie (played by Jascha Heifetz) who takes on the task of shaping the lives of a group of slum kids through music. Frankie is discovered by a social worker named Jennie MacLain (played by Andrea Leeds) after she observes him playing his violin in Central Park. Jennie is immediately taken by Frankie's talent and his willingness to teach others, and she invites him to teach at the Settlement House, a community center that provides free programs, including music lessons, to underprivileged children.

Despite initial hesitation from the kids, who are more interested in playing baseball and causing trouble, Frankie eventually wins them over with his patience, kindness, and his ability to connect with them through music. He even starts to see potential in a few of his students, including a troubled but talented young boy named Rickey (played by Gene Reynolds).

Meanwhile, Jennie is struggling with her own personal life. She's engaged to a businessman named Craig (played by Joel McCrea), but she's starting to question whether she's making the right decision. Craig is more focused on his career and doesn't share Jennie's enthusiasm for helping others, leaving her feeling unfulfilled and trapped.

As Frankie continues to teach the children, he becomes more invested in their lives and starts to see music as a way out of their struggle. He even orchestrates a public concert where the kids can showcase their newfound skills to the community.

However, their hard work may be for naught when the settlement house's funding is threatened. Frankie, Jennie, and the children must come together to save the only place that has given them hope and a sense of purpose.

Throughout the movie, the power of music is emphasized as a transformative tool that can bring people from different backgrounds together and offer a glimmer of hope in even the darkest of circumstances. The young actors who play the children act with sincerity and heart, and Heifetz is a natural on-screen, portraying Frankie with just the right balance of stoicism and warmth.

The movie's themes of social justice, community, and the importance of the arts still ring true today, making They Shall Have Music a timeless classic that continues to inspire audiences of all ages.

They Shall Have Music is a 1939 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.