The talent
and star power of Carole Lombard (first billing over Stewart) and Jimmy
Stewart carry a sometimes uneven tone in the film into the archives
A nice
playful wipe edit up as Stewart goes into the elevator- not sure I’ve seen
that before
Most of the
actual dialogue is fine, more than fine actually, with lines like “last
year there were a half million divorces in this country….congratulations”
from Charles Coburn (good here) to Stewart when he gets married. And a
line about “I hope Higgins beats Higgins” from Lombard at how she’s mad
about this case that Stewart has to work on ruins and cancelled their
vacation. But, it shifts from domestic comedy (fights with the mother in
law, maid, boss who can’t hear) to heavy drama (a marriage falling apart,
the illness of their infant son, a devastating scene where Stewart doesn’t
get a promotion) far to flippantly—poor form and asks for unearned
sympathies.
There’s a
lot in common with 1946’s It’s a
Wonderful Life actually. Bittersweet marriage, Stewart during a New Years
Auld Lang Syne. Ward Bond in a very small role here as well
Great shot
at 80 minutes of Lombard and mother in law in silhouette during a storm at
night in front of windows
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