Spencer's Daugher Gets Married

When Kay Banks (Elizabeth Taylor) informs her doting parents Stanley (Spencer Tracy) and Ellie (Joan Bennett) that she is engaged to be married, all hell breaks loose as Stanley tries to deal with the loss of his daughter to a husband he barely knows, and to the escalating wedding arrangements that Ellie is planning.  It's not easy to be the Father of the Bride (1950).

Spencer Tracy is perfect as the indulgent daddy forced to confront his daughter's big step into adulthood.  He's warm and loving and completely flummoxed by his wife's obsession with a fancy wedding party. Though director Vincente Minnelli wanted Mr. Tracy from the start, Dore Schary agreed to let Jack Benny (who badly wanted the part) to star. Mr. Minnelli insisted on a screen test; he found he could not get Mr. Benny to refrain from doing his famed double takes. Finally permitted to ask Mr. Tracy, Mr. Minnelli was turned down - Mr. Tracy wasn't interested in being second choice. When Mr. Minnelli told him that he would turn down the directing work if Mr. Tracy was not in the film (and Katharine Hepburn interceded), Mr. Tracy agreed to take on the part (TCM article). 

Joan Bennett is lovely as Ellie Banks.  A loving mother and wife, she's completely absorbed in the ideal of a fancy church wedding for her only daughter - something she missed when she got married. She had already worked previously with Spencer Tracy, and he was happy to work with her again. Mr. Tracy said obviously their marriage in Me and My Gal (1932) had worked and look at the offspring they produced!

Which brings us to the eldest of that offspring - Elizabeth Taylor is a delight as Kay Banks. Torn between pleasing her mother and her own desire for a smaller affair, Kay embraces the fancier reception, while trying to calm her panicked father.  Ms. Taylor was on the verge of marrying Nicky Hilton, and MGM was ecstatic at using Ms. Taylor's real wedding to publicize the film.  Besides stocking the wedding with every MGM star available to attend, the wedding was timed to coincide with the film's release (South Florida Sun-Sentinal); sadly, the marriage was over in less than a year, thanks to Hilton's drinking and womanizing. 

The movie is blessed with a remarkable supporting cast. The always wonderful Billie Burke teams with Moroni Olson as in-laws to-be Doris and Herbert Dunstan. Don Taylor is convincing as their son, Buckley. Sadly for him, most of his scenes are with Ms. Taylor, so one doesn't really spend much time looking at the groom! Rusty (Russ) Tamblyn has a small part as Tommy Banks, and Tom Irish is the other Banks son, Ben.  Mr. Irish appears as Ben in the 1991 remake of the story! Finally, Leo G. Carroll steals all his scenes as wedding planner, Mr. Massoula - a bit of snob, but that is part of his charm.

The film opened at Radio City Music Hall and received a glowing review from Bosley Crowther in his New York Times review.  Before the film has even opened, a sequel, Father's Little Dividend (1951) was put into production (AFI Catalog). In 1991, a remake with Steve Martin, which was also very successful, was released.  The film had previously been a TV series with Leon Ames as the titular character.

For anyone who has ever been married, been friends with someone who has married, or attended a wedding, this is the movie for you. The film manages to show the truths in wedding planning, but with warmth and humor. If you've seen the film before, it's worth a rewatch.  If not, treat yourself to a visit with The Father of the Bride.  In the meantime, here is a trailer:

 

 

Spencer Interviews Katharine

The sudden death of American war hero and businessman Robert Forrest throws the country into a tailspin. Steven O'Malley (Spencer Tracy), a journalist who recently returned from war-torn Europe, is one of Forrest's many admirers, and has decided to write a book about the great man.  He seeks the assistance of Forrest's wife, Christine (Katharine Hepburn); she initially tries to keep her distance, then consents to assist in the biography.  Steven, however, finds her reticence concerning as she attempts to be the Keeper of the Flame (1942).

As we enter the world of Keeper of the Flame, it seems we are being introduced to a mystery - who killed Robert Forrest? In a sense we are in the middle of a mystery, but it isn’t the one we think it is. The tension of the story is enhanced by the excellent performances throughout the film, ably led by the two leads. The chemistry between Tracy and Hepburn is apparent in the film, and is a contributor to the power of the movie  

Over the objections of screenwriter Donald Ogden Stewart, Ms. Hepburn insisted on changes to the script that strengthened the romance between Christine and Steven (TCM article). This sometimes gives the film a feeling of Rebecca-ish gloom, with the imposing Forrest estate as the stand-in for Manderley. It also gives more opportunity for Tracy and Hepburn to interact, which, frankly, is one of the main pleasures of the film.  One looks forward to seeing them spar.

Audrey Christie is excellent as Steven's friend and fellow reporter, Jane Harding.  The part is relatively small but memorable.  This was Ms. Christie's first film, and her casting was recommended by Katharine Hepburn (AFI Catalog).  Ms. Christie had been appearing on Broadway since 1933, and Ms. Hepburn and Ms. Christie would appear together in the 1942 production of Without Love (which Ms. Hepburn brought to the screen in 1945). Audrey Christie would continue on Broadway, film and television until 1982. She's probably most remembered today for her performance as Mrs. Loomis (Natalie Wood's mother) in Splendor in the Grass (1961). Married once, with one son, Ms. Christie died in 1989 (three years after her husband) of emphysema. 

We were not as impressed with Richard Whorf, Robert Forrest's personal secretary Clive Kerndon. Mr. Whorf plays the character as a fanatic, yet the information that we learn about him is that he is a tool of more powerful men.  That his fanaticism is telegraphed the minute we meet Kerndon is unfortunate; a gradual building of suspicion towards the character might have been more effective. As an aside, the same year he appeared in this film, he was also in Yankee Doodle Dandy as Sam Harris.

There are so many good performances in the film, it's hard to go into detail in this small space. But, mention should be made of Howard da Silva as Jason Rickards, Forrest's surly gatekeeper and fellow war veteran. Though we get no details about his life, we quickly realize that he is perhaps the person who knew Forrest the best. 

Margaret Wycherly has a small part as Forrest's insane mother. Stephen McNally (here listed as Horace) is fellow reporter Freddie Ridges, who has eyes for Jane Harding. Forrest Tucker plays Christine cousin Geoffrey Midford, who might be involved in Forrest's death. Darryl Hickman is guilt-ridden Jeb Rickards, who holds himself responsible for Forrest's death.  And we can't forget to mention Donald Meek as innkeeper Mr. Arbuthnot and Percy Kilbride as cabbie Orion Peabody. 

The production design is a very powerful element in the film. As we mentioned before, the house is almost oppressive in its elegance. The windowless stone fort that Forrest used as an office signals the sinister nature of his activities. The portrait of Forrest dominates the house, yet upon his death, no photos are included in the newspapers.  Our only image is a stylized painting of the great man.

Keeper of the Flame received an enthusiastic review by Bosley Crowther in New York Times, calling it "a courageous and timely drama which touches frankly upon a phase of American life that is most serious and pertinent today."  It opened at Radio City Music Hall, and was held over for several weeks, but ultimately it was not a top grosser for MGM (Variety), and is considered the least effective of the Tracy/Hepburn film. Perhaps the darkness was too much for people. 

In the final analysis, this is a good film that is discussing a still (sadly) timely issue. It may be a bit preachy at times, but tells its story well. Here's a trailer:

Katharine & Spencer Go to Court

Doris Attinger (Judy Holliday) shoots her philandering husband, Warren (Tom Ewell) after she finds him in the arms of Beryl Caighn (Jean Hagen). The case intrigues attorney Amanda Bonner (Katharine Hepburn), who sees it as a means of striking a blow for women's rights. But there is a complication - her husband Adam (Spencer Tracy) is the assistant DA assigned to prosecute the case.  Our film this time is Adam's Rib (1949).

Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy are delightful as a happily married couple on opposite sides of the political fence (she's a Democrat; he's a Republican) and opposing each other in a media circus of a trial. Amanda is convinced that if the defendant were a man, she would not be on trial for shooting her cheating spouse. Adam says the gender shouldn't matter - it's the letter of the law that counts, and someone who shoots another deserves jail time, no matter the reason for it. 

The dialog between the couple fairly crackles - it's smart, sexy, and amusing. Written by Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon (who were friends of Tracy and Hepburn), the screenplay was written with the acting duo in mind. The story was inspired by the divorce of Raymond Massey and Adrianne Allen, who hired a married couple as their representation. The Massey/Allen divorce resulted in two divorces, when lawyers William and Dorothy Whitney also divorced, each to marry their client  (TCM's The Big Idea).

While this was not Judy Holliday's first film, it was a major breakthrough for her. She's wonderful as the remarkably dim Doris - the audience feels sorry for her, at the same time shakes their collective heads at her naivety. Ms. Holliday was appearing on Broadway in her first starring role - that of Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday.  In fact, she filmed Adam's Rib during the day, and rushed back to the Henry Miller Theatre to appear in the play each evening. Ms. Holliday badly wanted to appear in the film version of Born Yesterday, but Columbia's Harry Cohn had no interest in her. So, Katharine Hepburn devised various means to bring Ms. Holliday into a position that Mr. Cohn could not say no (TCM The Essentials), even going so far as to plant stories that Ms. Holliday was stealing the movie (TCM's Behind the Camera) from Tracy and Hepburn.  

Jean Hagen is also spectacular as the Other Woman. This was her first film, and she's a riot in her small scene with Katharine Hepburn. Beryl Caighn is reminiscent of Ms. Hagen's most famous role - Lena Lamont in Singin' in the Rain, but we should never forget that Ms. Hagen was a versatile actress who really never rose to the level of success that she should have.

If there is one weak link in the film, it's Tom Ewell as the cheating husband. It's hard to imagine what either Doris or Beryl could see in this uncouth lout. A cheater, an abusive husband - he's despicable, and Mr. Ewell doesn't attempt to make him in any way attractive.  We're not particularly fans of Mr. Ewell - it seemed to us there should be something about him that would seem appealing to two women. We didn't see it.

David Wayne (Kip Lurie) has the pleasure of singing a "Farewell, Amanda" which Cole Porter wrote for the film. He's really funny as a fey composer who is the bane of Adam's existence.  He's flirtatious, rude, and downright obnoxious - a man with some talent who thinks he can dominate every event. We wondered why the Bonner's would have it at their party (to play the piano), when Kip spends most of his time insulting the guests and Adam. It was Katharine Hepburn who convinced Mr. Porter to write the song, but he would only do it if they changed the name of the character from Madeleine (AFI catalog). At which point, they decided to also change the name of the male character from Ned to Adam.

Several other actors have small parts, and their presence in the film is most welcome. Marvin Kaplan as the Court Stenographer will be remembered more for his voice than his face - he was Choo-Choo in the animated series Top Cat. Madge Blake, who played a plethora of older women (including Aunt Harriet on the Batman television series) appears briefly as Adam's mother.  And Hope Emerson (Olympia La Pere) gets to play a strong woman who has one of the funnier bits in the film.
 

The film has been criticized for undercutting Katharine Hepburn's bit for women's rights at the end (Framing Female Lawyers: Women on Trial in Film by Cynthia Lucia), but we felt that the movie did justice to the points of view of both attorneys. Amanda is right - women are treated unequally by the law, but Adam is right that men should be held to the same standards. 

Two other titles preceded this one - Love is Legal and Man and Wife (Spencer Tracy: A Biography by James Curtis). The second title was changed, as the PCA found it suggestive. What they didn't seem to notice was that in the first scene in Adam's and Amanda's bedroom, while it has two large beds, clearly only one of them was used that night - the second bed is neatly made, and the other pillow in Adam's bed is has a head dent in it!  

 

The New York Times review by Bosley Crowther was quite positive, calling it a "bang-up frolic". Other reviews were equally complimentary (TCM Critics Corner).

In 1973, there was a very brief TV series based on the film with Ken Howard and Blythe Danner. The film has also been included in Jeremy Arnold's first book of The Essentials: 52 Must-See Movies and Why they Matter. This is definitely a film that should be on your must-see list - here's a trailer:

Katharine Plays Tennis (and Golf)

Women's athletic coach at Pacific Tech, Pat Pemberton (Katharine Hepburn) has a problem.  A gifted athlete, she freezes when she is around her fiance, Collier Weld (William Ching). She resigns her job when her presence at the college endangers funding from an irate donor (she wasn't respectful enough to his wife when they lost a golf game), and competes in a golf pro-am. There, she attracts the attention of Mike Conovan (Spencer Tracy), a sports promoter. He encourages her to go pro, with him as her manager. Our film this week is  Pat and Mike (1952).

In their seventh (of nine) film appearances together (TCM article), Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn are at the top of their game in this engaging and humorous film. When the two of them are together on screen, the fireworks are palpable. Their verbal sparring is part of what makes this film a classic.

The film was written specifically for Tracy and Hepburn by their friends, Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin (they'd previously penned Adam's Rib for the couple), with George Cukor in the director's chair. The authors were particularly interested in highlighting Ms. Hepburn's athletic prowess with their screenplay, and Ms. Hepburn did all the sports scenes herself (Sports Cinema 100 Movies: The Best of Hollywood's Athletic Heroes, Losers, Myths and Misfits  by Randy Williams). Besides being excellent at golf and tennis, Ms. Hepburn swam on a regular basis, including dips in the ocean near her Fenwick, Connecticut home, even in winter (Women's World).

If there is one problematic aspect to the film, it's why someone as smart, sassy, and gifted as Pat would be involved with a dolt like Collier. William Ching is not all that attractive, and he is a bit of a stiff as an actor, so he brings nothing to the role that explains their relationship. On paper, Collier is a vile bully; he's verbally abusive and downright disgusting. He walks in late to his fiance's tennis match, making tons of distracting noise, openly laughing at her. He'd likely be thrown out of a real tennis match. We'd have like to have seen that happen. It was an absolute joy to see Pat throw her luggage out the window of the train and abandon her obnoxious fiance.

In the capable hands of Spencer Tracy, Mike starts as a conniver and learns the benefits of honest sports from his scrupulous charge. In their first scene together, Mike admires Mrs. Pemberton - "nicely packed, that kid. Not much meat on her, but what's there is cherce," he says. In the original script, the line was to read that Pat was "pretty well stacked." The film's producer Lawrence Weingarten objected - Ms. Hepburn, he said, was not "stacked."  So the line was rewritten to "choice." It was Mr. Tracy who put the New York spin of "cherce" into the performances (Spencer Tracy: A Biography by James Curtis). 

Chuck Connors (Police Captain) was a minor league baseball player - he'd been in the major leagues for 67 games (1 with the Brooklyn Dodgers; 66 with the Chicago Cubs), and was now working for the Los Angeles Angels (the Cubs minor league affiliate) - when he was approached by casting director (Memories and Dreams, 2018).  Realizing his days as a player were coming to a close, he tried his hand at acting - this was his first role, and he is just fine as the bemused policeman. Mr. Connors would continue in films (like Move Over, Darling (1963) and Old Yeller (1957). But it was television that made his career - his five years as Lucas McCain on The Rifleman would bring the actor fame and a career that continued until his death of pneumonia and lung cancer (he was a three-pack a day smoker until the mid-1970s) in 1992. 

Aldo Ray (Davie Hucko) had already done a few minor parts in films; the same year that Pat and Mike was released, he starred with Judy Holliday in The Marrying Kind. In his hands, Davie is child-like and trusting. His resentment of Pat blossoms into affection when she begins to look out for his career. He's a versatile actor, who doesn't always get noticed. If you've never seen him, Nightfall (1957), we strongly recommend you add it to your viewing list. 

Two other performances are worthy of note. Jim Backus (Charles Barry) has two small scenes as a tennis pro who encourages Pat to enter the golf pro-am.  Charles Buchinski (Hank Tasling) is a riot as a gangster who gets a pummeling from our lady athlete (she's boxed, by the way). Mr. Buchinski would later gain fame as Charles Bronson.

The New York Times review by Bosley Crowther was very positive, and in his introduction to the film, Ben Mankiewicz called it one of Tracy & Hepburn's "best." It did well at the box office, bringing in nearly $2.7 million.  Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin received an Oscar nomination for Original Screenplay (AFI Catalog) - they lost to The Lavender Hill Mob.  

We agree wholeheartedly that this is a film well worth viewing - it's not often you get to see a film about a female athlete that makes you want to pick up a tennis racket (or golf club) -  and suggest this one for a day when you need a good laugh.  We'll leave you with this trailer:

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Katharine's Family Dinner

December marked the fiftieth anniversary of the release of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), and the film was part of the 2017 TCM Presents series. Very much a tale of the 1960s (but still relevant today), the film introduces us to Joanna "Joey" Drayton (Katharine Houghton), a 23 year old woman raised by liberal parents. Joey has returned from her vacation prematurely to her San Francisco home, accompanied by Dr. John Wade Prentice (Sidney Poitier), a highly-regarded physician, who happens to be African-American. The two met in Hawaii and fell in love. As John is about to leave for a three month work assignment with the World Health Organization in Geneva, the pair have arrived to tell Joey's parents, Christina (Katharine Hepburn) and Matt Drayton (Spencer Tracy) of their plans to marry in two weeks in Geneva. What Joey doesn't know is that John feels it is crucial to their future as a couple that Matt and Christina bless the marriage. If they will not, he will remove himself from Joey's life.

As pointed out by TCM host Tiffany Vasquez in her introduction, the film was a bit dated even upon release. John's father (Roy Glenn) states that "in several states" John and Joanna would be breaking the law - however the U.S. Supreme Court had just recently handed down a decision regarding interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia (brought to the screen in 2016's Loving). Regardless of that momentous decision, Mr. Prentiss was correct about the difficulties that the couple would face - and still (unfortunately) face today. So, while some of the film is a tad old-fashioned, it still can speak to us in the 21st Century. (This Los Angeles Times article on 50th Anniversary of the film is an interesting examination of the film in the our times).

Spencer Tracy was ill when he filmed Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. In fact, both Katharine Hepburn and director Stanley Kramer placed their salaries for the film into escrow in the event Mr. Tracy was not able to complete shooting. Mr. Kramer arranged that Mr. Tracy would only film in the morning, while his energy levels were up to the task (TCM Article). Spencer Tracy died only 10 days after his work was completed. Regardless, his performance gives no hint that he was unwell; he is wonderful as a father facing his own liberal principles against the future happiness of his daughter. Mr. Tracy was posthumously nominated for his 10th Best Actor Oscar. (He lost to Rod Steiger in In the Heat of the Night). 

Another nominated performance was that of Beah Richards, as John's mother (Ms. Richards also lost, to Estelle Parsons in Bonnie and Clyde). Her performance is just wonderful; her love for her son, as well as her fear that her husband will destroy the relationship between himself and his son is evident in every scene. She was a lovely scene with Spencer Tracy that leads to the films penultimate speech from Mr. Tracy. She started working in New York theatre, first off-Broadway (in 1955), then on Broadway (she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in The Amen Corner). She only made 15 films, most of them playing someone's mother. But it was in television that she made her mark, winning two Emmy awards, and appearing in shows such as I Spy (playing Alexander Scott's mother),  ER (as Peter Benton's mother), and Beauty and the Beast (as Narcissa). Ms. Richards died of emphysema in 2000 at the age of 80. 

Katharine Hepburn suggested that her niece, Katharine Houghton read for the role of Joanna (the studio had Samantha Eggar in mind (AFI catalog)). She's quite good in a part that really is somewhat minor - Joey is the catalyst for the action of the film. She is in the middle of the dialogue between her parents and John, not really part of the conversation. If I have one complaint about the film, it is that Joey is written as almost passive. We know she has some of her mother's fire (her comment about her mother's employee Hilary shows that), but all Joanna can say of herself is that she will be important because her husband is important. I suspect it was not the picture that we were supposed to have of Joanna, but it is very much a sign of the times that Joanna is not all that important. She's not even going to get a say in the decision regarding her future.

Besides the nominations for Mr. Tracy and Ms. Richards, there were other Oscar nominations: Actor in a Supporting Role (Cecil Kellaway), Art Direction, Film Editing, Music (Scoring of Music—adaptation or treatment), Directing, and Best Picture. It won awards for Katharine Hepburn as Best Actress, and for William Rose's Writing (Story and Screenplay—written directly for the screen). This was Ms. Hepburn's second Oscar win - the next year, she would win again for her role in The Lion in Winter and would share the honor with Barbra Streisand, who ALSO won for Funny Girl. The film has also been featured in three AFI lists: It stands as #35 in 100 Years, 100 Cheers, #58 in 100 Years, 100 Passions, and #99 100 Year, 100 Movies, 1998 edition.

I'll close with one of my favorite scenes in the Christina's conversation with the very nosy Hilary (Virginia Christine):

Loretta's Alone in the World

A man sits on a park bench, casually feeding pigeons.  He is dressed in dinner clothes; he appears to be quite wealthy, both in his garb and demeanor.  Beside him, a young woman quietly cries.  He brusquely asks her why.  She has lost her job, and hasn't eaten for 2 days.  He opines that there is absolutely no reason for her to starve, and whisks her off for a meal.  Thus begins Man's Castle (1933), a precode film, starring Spencer Tracy as Bill and Loretta Young as Trina. 

Considering the disposable nature of movies in this period, and the fact that the plot centers on a couple living together without benefit of marriage, it is fascinating that the film was reissued in 1938, with about 9 minutes of content deleted (this is the cut of the film we can see today).  Included in these cuts is a shot of Loretta Young jumping nude into the water.  Yet, even with this elimination, it is obvious that Trina (who we see enter the water) is skinny-dipping.  It's puzzling how even this version was able to pass the censors. A shortened version of Man's Castle was also aired twice (in 1939 and 1941) on the Lux Radio Theatre, both times with Spencer Tracy reprising his role.
 
Set amid the Depression, Man's Castle presents a picture of a man running from responsibility and the woman who loves him and is willing to tolerate his constant dreaming.  We found Bill very much like the little boy who smacks you to tell  you he likes you.  Though it is apparent that he loves Trina, he is constantly plaguing her with speeches about his eminent departure.  He continually belittles her, calling her Whoositz", and poo-pooing her dreams of a future. Bill is a pipe dreamer, with little grasp of reality.  Even his attempts to steal enough money so that Trina can live comfortably demonstrate his immaturity.

Though we have no real back-story on either character, it is clear that Trina recently became unemployed.  What she did before she met Bill is not discussed.  She also has been evicted from her apartment; again, it is clear that this is a recent event.  Despite her loneliness and destitution, Trina retains a positive view of life, and of Bill.  While Bill thinks he is smart, is is clear that Trina is much smarter than he is. She is able to run the house; she plans for them both, and (while she fears his departure), she knows his heart better than he knows it himself.

The real-life relationship between Loretta Young and Spencer Tracy is discussed in this TCM article.  The couple fell in love, but as we discussed last week, marriage between the two was as impossible here as it would be for Young and Gable several years later.  Ultimately, Young decided to end what had become a very public affair. 

As always, we have some interesting character performances.  We've seen the Marjorie Rambeau before, when she played Ginger Roger's mother in Primrose Path.   Here, as Trina's only real friend,  the alcoholic Flossie, she becomes the avenging angel for pair against the rather distasteful Bragg (Arthur Hohl).  She is both sympathetic and frightening.  It becomes obvious early on in the film that things will not end well for Flossie.
Always delightful is Walter Connolly as Ira.  A man of religion, Ira also protects Trina and Bill.  But where Flossie's response to the events of her life are anger and escape, Ira looks at life squarely, and looks to his God for guidance.

It's an interesting movie - one that makes you hunger for the uncut version.  You may also be interested in Richard Brody's discussion of the film for The New Yorker. Regardless of the cuts, it is worth a look - here's a look at the scene we first discussed:

Myrna, Jewel Thief

Whipsaw, from 1935, features Myrna Loy as Vivian Palmer.  Vivian has, for several years, been working with a jewel robber. She is tired of the life, however, and tells her accomplices that this is her last job.   She's had little to do with the crime, but the FBI, in the form of Ross McBride (Spencer Tracy), decide to follow her.  Make that, join her, on a cross-country trip.  McBride pretends to be a criminal on the lam.  Little does he know that Vivian had him stopped almost immediately, and is steering him away from her colleagues.  Of course, their enforced togetherness results in love, with Ross conflicted about his feelings for Vivian versus his duty to his job. 
 
Myrna Loy is just wonderful. Her world-weariness; her ambivalence towards her colleagues, her suspicions about Ross, and her growing feelings for him all shine out of her eyes.  Watch especially towards the end when her relationship begins to take a turn for the worse.  Her helplessness is palpable.  The film is also beautifully costumed with Loy getting some really lovely clothing.

Likewise, Tracy is his usual honest self.  He is Ross. It's interesting to watch his eyes as his love for Vivian increases.  You can see his changes in attitude just by looking into his eyes.  Also fun to watch is John Qualen as the expectant father of a woman has has just gone into labor as our team wander by needing shelter.  He is just a joy.

Want a sample? Here is a trailer from the film:
Next week, we'll revisit an old friend of ours - Kay Francis.

Myrna Sues Jean?

As we wait for a few more Crawford or Lombard movie to appear on our favorite channel, we visit with a pair of truly lovely, talented ladies - Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow - in the hilarious Libeled Lady(1936).  Loy is Connie Allenbury, a wealthy young lady with lawsuit on her mind after a newspaper, run by Spencer Tracy's Warren Haggerty inadvertently libels her.  To circumvent the suit, Haggerty comes up with a plan - marry his fiance Gladys (Jean Harlow) to writer Bill Chandler (William Powell), then have Bill seduce Connie, so Gladys can sue Connie for alienation of affection!  Only problem is, both Gladys and Connie actually fall in love with Bill, who is head over heels for Connie. 

This is a very funny movie. If you have a decent script (which this does), it is rather hard to miss with this cast.  Spencer Tracy as the reluctant groom is a riot; and you are rather pleased when he gets a bit of his comeuppance.  Harlow as the doubly spurned woman is lovely.  Thankfully, she gets her man in the end (this is a comedy!). 

And can you miss with that wonderful team of Powell and Loy! They had already made the first Thin Man  together, as well as Evelyn Prentice and Manhattan Melodrama. You cannot see the credit list and not assume that they will end up together.  They are perfectly matched, and Powell does his utmost to turn Bill from cad to dream.

A screwball comedy in the best sense, this one is well worth a look. We highly recommend it.  Here's a trailer to give you a taste: