Breaking the Ice (1938)
Directed by Edward F. Cline, Breaking the Ice is a heartfelt drama-musical starring child singing sensation Bobby Breen. Released by RKO Radio Pictures, the film blends themes of family, faith, and youthful determination, set against the backdrop of a Mennonite community and the bustling streets of Philadelphia.
Plot Summary
Young Tommy Martin (Bobby Breen) lives with his widowed mother Martha on a Mennonite farm. When the family faces financial hardship, Tommy takes matters into his own hands. After a misunderstanding involving a missing $20 bill, Tommy runs away to Philadelphia with a streetwise man named Mr. Terwilliger, hoping to earn money to help his mother.
In the city, Tommy lands a job at an ice rink, scraping the surface after performers rehearse. His journey is filled with misadventures, but his earnest spirit and musical talent eventually lead to redemption and reunion.
Cast Highlights
- Bobby Breen as Tommy Martin
- Dolores Costello as Martha Martin
- Charlie Ruggles as Samuel Terwilliger
- Irene Dare as the ice skater
- Billy Lee, Dorothy Peterson, and Tommy Ryan in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- During filming, Bobby Breen was knocked unconscious while learning to ice skate, suffering a slight concussion and facial cuts—but recovered quickly
- The film was televised in New York City as early as August 25, 1947, and in Los Angeles on March 7, 1948, making it one of the earlier postwar TV broadcasts of a feature film
- The story was co-written by Fritz Falkenstein, Mary C. McCall Jr., and Bernard Schubert, based on a story by Brewster Morse
- Music was composed by Victor Young, adding emotional depth to Breen’s vocal performances
