Five of a Kind

Five of a Kind is an enthralling 1938 American comedy-drama film that brings to spotlight the Dionne Quintuplets - Annette, Cecile, Marie, Yvonne, and Emilie. Directed by Herbert I. Leeds and produced by Twentieth Century Fox, the movie captures the infectious charm and curiosity of these 4-year old Canadian quintuplets, who became international sensations after their birth in 1934. The movie is set around the quintuplets' real-life roles, while woven into a fictional plot involving the news business and small-town life.

As the plot unfolds, the world-renowned Dionne Quintuplets, who portray themselves, are the center of attention in the small town in Ontario, Canada. Their interaction with the local townsfolk and their daily lives provides a charming slice-of-life focus in the movie. They attend a local school, contribute to the community, create a bit of mischief, and navigate their way through life as quintuplets, much to everyone's amusement.

The story is rounded out by the talents of seasoned actors like the regular guy next door Don Ameche, who plays radio reporter "Duke" Lester, an ambitious journalist desperate for a unique story that will ascend him to fame. Then there is Jean Hersholt, known for his fatherly roles, played harmoniously as the caring Dr. Dafoe, a character tilted towards his in-real-life role as the Dionne Quintuplets' guardian.

An important sub-plot of the movie involves a rivalry between ambitious news reporters of rival radio stations, Duke Lester and Frank Rogers, portrayed passionately by Don Ameche and John 'Dusty' King respectively. They find themselves in Ontario, both willing to get the exclusive story about the Dionne Quintuplets. Jean Hersholt, playing Dr. Dafoe, manages to maintain a calm and protective aura around the quintuplets amidst all the media frenzy. His character's strives to maintain the children's peaceful lives add tension and humor to the storyline.

Five of a Kind intersperses actual footage of the real-life Dionne Quintuplets, highlighting their lives unaffected by the outsiders. It carefully juxtaposes the world's fascination over them with their innocent simplicity, creating a heart-warming narrative. This unique storytelling approach, combined with the quintuplets' candid performances, brings a touch of reality to the screen, resulting in a captivating viewing experience.

The romantic thread woven into the storyline involves Duke's charming fiancé, nurse Alice Blair, portrayed elegantly by Claire Trevor. Their relationship faces trials with Duke's thirst for success and involves many comic and intense moments, thereby making this subplot an essential part of the overarching narrative.

While Five of a Kind certainly allows glimpses into the Dionne Quintuplets' lives, it does a fantastic job showcasing the tensions, competition, and savagery of the news media industry during the era. The film's satirical take on journalists' lengths to achieve fame and recognition provides an engaging comedic undertone.

From the technical side, the movie benefits from Joseph MacDonald’s black-and-white cinematography that captures the rural charm of Ontario and even enclosed spaces with an engaging aesthetic feel. Louis Silvers's music score aligns well with the film's mood, adding a pleasant touch to the narrative.

All in all, this playful portrayal of Dionne Quintuplets and 1930s news media makes Five of a Kind an interesting watch. It's more than just a snapshot into the lives of the five children who formerly captured the world's attention. It's a commentary on media culture, a study of small-town life, and an endearing portrayal of childhood innocence. It thoughtfully blends reality with fiction, comedy with drama, making it an underrated classic gem from the Golden Age of Hollywood.