Happiness Ahead (1934 film)

Happiness Ahead is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Dick Powell, Josephine Hutchinson, Frank McHugh, and John Halliday. The film tells the story of a wealthy heiress, Josephine 'Jo' Wellman (Hutchinson), who, disillusioned with her life of privilege, decides to experience the world incognito by taking a job as a salesgirl in one of her family's department stores. There, she falls for a humble window washer, Bob Grant (Powell), who is unaware of her true identity.

The film explores themes of class differences, the superficiality of wealth, and the pursuit of genuine happiness. Jo's journey involves adapting to a working-class environment and navigating the challenges of concealing her background while building a relationship with Bob. The initial conflict arises from the deception surrounding Jo's identity, which is eventually revealed, leading to complications in their romance.

Happiness Ahead is considered a relatively minor work in Mervyn LeRoy's filmography, though it showcases the popular song-and-dance man Dick Powell in a lighthearted romantic role. The film reflects the social and economic anxieties of the Depression era, subtly critiquing the excesses of the wealthy while ultimately celebrating the potential for love and happiness across social strata. Its pre-Code status allows for some suggestive dialogue and situations, characteristic of films released before the stricter enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code. The film concluded with a somewhat ambiguous ending, leaving the definite resolution of the central relationship somewhat uncertain.