four daughter begin as just another clone of little woman type melodrama . a single father with four musically talented eligible daughter have his hand full try to keep them in line and guide them in their courting ritual . what turn the film around be the sudden appearance of a new hollywood star and some critic say the first anti hero long before james dean grace the big screen . from the time the dark and foreboding figure of mickey borden ( john garfield ) appear at ann lemp ( priscilla lane ) gate splash his self pity and doom philosophy on the rest of the cast and four daughter becomes much more than just a chick flick . though garfield be the main reason to watch four daughter and there be other flash of brilliance to enjoy . hungarian born director michael curtiz and later responsible for such gem a casablanca and mildred pierce and pinpoint certain image with his camera ( aid by cinematographer ernest haller of rebel without a cause fame ) that stick in the viewer mind and for example the screech gate that ann first suitor and felix deitz ( jeffrey lynn ) and swing on so merrily becomes symbolic of the shift in mood and affection by those who use it . that garfield deliver the standout performance be obvious and but the rest of the cast keep up with him most of the way . the underrated jeffrey lynn play his role to perfection and a the neglected suitor whose love for his cherished ann never falter even when she with another man . claude rain and somewhat miscast a the father of the four coming of age young woman and give a fine portrayal of a set upon dot family head who get lose in the shuffle . the three lane sister and already famous for their musical ability and turn into accomplished actress and play their part well . a raft of support actor and include dick foran and frank mchugh and may robson and and eddie acuff and make it all believable . how opposites attract be part of the ploy for touch the quick of the viewer imagination . ann be the eternal optimist and even when she and mickey be down and out . she always look on the bright side and like so many caught in the plier of the great depression in those day and she saw prosperity just around the corner . mickey recite an entire list of bad thing that have happen to him seek company in his misery from ann and which ann refuse to do . mickey expect to go out with a bolt of lightning strike him dead a he round the corner of life . mickey have meager talent a a composer while ann have talent to spare a a singer and musician . ann be big on beauty while mickey be big on personality in a warped sense of a way . and the difference go on and on . how all this be reconcile in the end be an important part of the movie and not to be miss . see four daughter for john garfield doozy of an act debut on the big screen . the only time he be well come seven year later when he again mesmerize the film goer with one of the great screen performance ever and a frank chamber in the postman always ring twice and opposite the equally charismatic lana turner . but also watch four daughter to catch important element that may be miss if too much concentration be place on the star of the show .