Carole Lombard

No Man of Her Own (Universal Cinema Classics)

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No Man of Her Own (Universal Cinema Classics)
Starring: Clark Gable , and Carole Lombard
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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So Proudly We Hail (Universal Cinema Classics)
Ball of Fire
Unconquered (Universal Cinema Classics)
The Wedding Night
Scarface (Universal Cinema Classics)

ASIN: B000N3T0FK
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)

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Lombard's Legacy Preserved in an Often Dazzling Six-Film Collection
Beggars can't be choosers when it comes to classics on DVD
Disappointing, slapdash presentation of Lombard..she deserves better.
Ah, you fixed it, Amazon!
Lombard is a hysterical legend (recommended)

Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)
Starring: Carole Lombard , Preston Foster , Cesar Romero , Janet Beecher , and Betty Lawford
Director: Walter Lang , Mitchell Leisen , and Norman Taurog
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000E6ESWG
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Product Description

A queen of the silver screen, Hollywood star Carole Lombard carved a place for herself in film history with her roles in the six films gathered here: MAN OF THE WORLD, WE'RE NOT DRESSING, HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE, LOVE BEFORE BREAKFAST, THE PRINCESS COMES ACROSS, and TRUE CONFESSION. See individual descriptions for details.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

In the 1930s, nobody combined glamour, romantic comedy, and drama better than Carole Lombard. Having entered show-biz at the age of 12, the former Jane Alice Peters (b. Oct. 6, 1908, in Fort Wayne, Indiana) distinguished herself from equally stellar contemporaries like Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, and Jean Arthur by establishing her versatility as a fashion icon whose beauty was matched by playful intelligence and a bright, independent persona (on screen and off) that predated feminism by 40 years and made her an appealing foil for admiring male costars. As this delightful half-dozen of her lesser-known features makes abundantly clear, her meteoric success was entirely well-deserved, and The Glamour Collection shows her as a star on the rise, gaining confidence and adoring fans with each new picture. As one of Paramount's most valued contract players, she starred in five of the six films included here (Love Before Breakfast was a loan-out to Universal), beginning with 1931's Man of the World, a Parisian romance written by Herman J. Mankiewicz (10 years before Citizen Kane) and headlined by future Thin Man star William Powell as an expatriate con artist who falls for Lombard's spoiled heiress--a romantic pairing made all the more believable by the stars' real-life marriage later that year.

A loose adaptation of The Admirable Crichton, We're Not Dressing (1934) is Depression-era entertainment at its most diverting, employing a full stable of Paramount players (including George Burns and Gracie Allen, Ethel Merman, and a young "Raymond" Milland) in a shipwreck romance between socialite Lombard and singing sailor Bing Crosby, who croons songs aplenty (including "Stormy Weather") and shares equal screen-time with an affectionate bear! Directed by Norman Taurog (best known for his later work with Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Elvis Presley), it's every bit as fun as the Marx Brothers hits from the same period. Arguably the best film in this set, Hands Across the Table is noteworthy for the typically stylish direction of Mitchell Leisen, who brings his reliable sophistication to the tale of a New York manicurist (Lombard) who must choose between potential suitors Fred McMurray (as a would-be heir to a fortune) and disabled ex-pilot Ralph Bellamy. (This being 1934, Norman Krasna's otherwise excellent script restricts Bellamy to the romantic sidelines with outdated feel-good sentiment.) Love Before Breakfast (1936) is a similarly enjoyable but typically chauvinistic dose of '30s high-society love-play, in which Lombard bounces between boyfriend Cesar Romero and a Wall Street tycoon (Preston Foster) who knows what's best for her and bosses her around accordingly. In the mystery/comedy The Princess Comes Across (1936), McMurray returns as a lovestruck bandleader, falling for Lombard's radiant Swedish princess (played as a playful nod to Greta Garbo) on a cruiser bound for Hollywood.

After completing the classic Nothing Sacred, Lombard (who married Clark Gable in 1939) teamed with McMurray yet again in True Confession (1937), a black screwball thriller/comedy elevated by the presence of comedy stalwarts John Barrymore, Edgar Kennedy and Una Merkel. It rounds out The Glamour Collection in fine form (Lucille Ball is said to have modeled her TV persona after Lombard's character), and leads the way to such later classics as Made for Each Other (1939) and To Be or Not to Be (1942). Tragically, Lombard's outstanding career was cut short when she perished (along with her mother and 20 other passengers) in a 1942 plane crash. Fortunately for DVD collectors, these six films (all remarkably well-preserved with clear image and sound) serve as a fitting tribute to Lombard's unique talent, allowing movie lovers of all ages to rediscover one of the most alluring queens of the silver screen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Lombard's Legacy Preserved in an Often Dazzling Six-Film Collection.......2006-08-16

The early death of Carole Lombard at 33 from a January 1942 plane crash remains one of cinema's most tragic episodes. During the 1930's, she was the most luminous of screen beauties yet innately likeable. What made her unique was the scintillating, often ribald and genuine manner in her performances. Even though she delivered top-notch dramatic performances, especially toward the end of her career, it is her comedies that continue to reinforce her legacy. It's almost impossible not to adore Lombard for the way she downplayed her looks, coming across as a proto-feminist in many of her roles. In fact, of all her contemporaries, Lombard still comes across as the most modern and self-aware, which is proven by this splendid two-disc set of six of her lesser known films. Granted none of them are close to the quality of her acknowledged classics - "Twentieth Century", "My Man Godfrey", "Nothing Sacred", "Mr. and Mrs. Smith", "To Be or Not to Be" - but each provides ample evidence of her abundant comic talent during the middle of her career between 1931 and 1937.

The first disc contains the earliest three movies. A 23-year old Lombard is merely the innocent leading lady to William Powell (before they were briefly married in real life) in 1931's "Man of the World", directed by Richard Wallace and written by Herman J. Mankiewicz, a pre-code dramedy about a sophisticated con man, an American in Paris named Michael Trevor, who attempts to take advantage of Mary Kendall, the niece of a foolhardy millionaire he has befriended. As Trevor, Powell gets surprisingly dour in the heavier second half, and little of Lombard's natural élan is on display playing the love-blind Mary. It's hard to fathom that this classic pair would team again for one of the great screwball social comedies, Gregory La Cava's "My Man Godfrey", only five years later.

Three years and fifteen films after "Man of the World", a more confident Lombard shows up as part of a silly ensemble farce, 1934's "We're Not Dressing", directed by Norman Taurog, in which she plays Doris Worthington, an ice-cold, rich yacht owner who gets into a shipwreck and an untidy situation where she is beholden to her former crew, in particular, the first mate who has a tendency to break out in song quite often. That's because this movie is an early Bing Crosby musical where the crooner's main objective is to melt Doris' heart. Lombard is much more in her element here as she plays her cardboard character's unattractive aspects while still generating her natural warmth. The film's problem is that her screen time is limited since the movie not only stars Crosby but also features George Burns, Gracie Allen and Ethel Merman. It's a variety hodgepodge but still worth seeing.

My favorite film of the six is 1935's "Hands Across the Table", directed by Mitchell Leisen, Lombard's first real starring vehicle and a disarming romantic comedy about Depression-era class struggles. She plays Regi Allen, a hotel manicurist determined to marry for money and quite open about her intentions. She immediately befriends a new client, Allen Macklyn, an ideal target for Regi except that he is a former pilot who has become a paraplegic. Enter Theodore Drew III, a flaky but charming playboy already engaged to an heiress. The standard complications ensue but not before the stars bicker and banter with dexterity. Lombard is terrifically winning as a working girl who ends up falling for Drew and even cohabitates with him before getting married.

As Drew, Fred MacMurray makes a strapping leading man and displays sharp comic timing. This was the first of four fruitful teamings he had with Lombard. Cinema's perennial third wheel, Ralph Bellamy, plays the smitten Macklyn with surprising romantic fervor, enough sometimes to appear like a true contender for Regi's affections. There are some startlingly sexy, noirish close-ups between Lombard and MacMurray as the film moves toward its inevitable conclusion. Look for an uncredited William Demarest as Regi's hapless blind date caught in a frustrating dialogue with MacMurray three decades before they co-starred in TV's "My Three Sons".

The second disc opens with an overly contrived romantic comedy, 1936's "Love Before Breakfast", directed by Walter Lang, which suffers for its lackluster leading man, Preston Foster. He plays Scott Miller, a rich Wall Street tycoon madly infatuated with Kay Colby, a Park Avenue girl already engaged to hard-working Bill Wadsworth. Miller pulls strings to have Wadsworth transferred to Japan, so he can pursue Kay against her outward wishes. It all sputters by quickly at only seventy minutes, and it takes all of Lombard's natural wit and charm to levitate the absurd plot and humanize such a hysterical loon. Long before he became the Joker on the "Batman" TV series, Cesar Romero plays the hapless Wadsworth for what the one-dimensional role is worth. I also find it interesting how Lang cast an uncredited Japanese actress, Mia Ichioka, as Kay's tea-leaf-reading maid Yuki.

Lombard re-teams with MacMurray on 1936's "The Princess Comes Across", an oddly conceived romantic comedy that suddenly turns into a murder mystery after the first half-hour. Directed by William K. Howard, the movie has Lombard cast as Wanda Nash, a struggling Brooklyn chorine disguising herself as Swedish royalty to gain a film studio contract. It's obvious that she is doing a not-so-subtle impersonation of Garbo as Princess Olga, but it is a funny take-off. MacMurray plays a singing bandleader who, believe it or not, plays the concertina professionally. They banter until things get serious, as she gets implicated in the murder and remains fearful about being exposed. Famous for her roles in W.C. Fields comedies, Alison Skipworth is a scene-stealer as Olga's phony dowager guardian. It's interesting to see MacMurray show glimpses of his cynical "Double Indemnity" personality in mercurial fashion before the mystery is solved.

The last film is 1937's `True Confessions" directed by Wesley Ruggles and again co-starring MacMurray. It's a complete lark showcasing Lombard's farceur skills as Helen Bartlett, the wife of a struggling lawyer. A compulsive liar who literally plants her tongue in her cheek just before letting go with a whopper, Helen gets involved in the murder of her lecherous employer of less than an hour. Seeing this as an opportunity for her husband Kenneth to show off his litigation skills, she pleads guilty to the crime just so he can get her acquitted. Complicating matters is an odd eccentric who watches the case in the courtroom and gains evidence to the contrary. With the various deceptions getting bigger and bigger, the film plays out like an extended "I Love Lucy" episode well before the TV series was conceived, and indeed Lombard was Lucille Ball's mentor and role model. Una Merkel plays the Ethel part of best friend Daisy, while John Barrymore, long gone to seed, hammily plays the irritating eccentric. MacMurray is a bit of a bore in this one since he has to represent the pillar of honesty top his wife.

Be aware that the two discs use both sides to fit all the films. The print transfer on all six films is surprisingly clean considering their seventy-year old age. Unfortunately there are no extras, not even theatrical trailers, but seeing the unparalleled Lombard is treat enough. She made 78 movies in her brief career, so I hope more of her titles will come up in future DVD releases.

Beggars can't be choosers when it comes to classics on DVD.......2006-07-13

This is a solid collection that contains six films from one of the most popular actresses of the 1930's - Carole Lombard. The titles here include classics like "True Confession", and "The Princess Comes Across", as well as fun vehicles like "Hands Across the Table", and "Love Before Breakfast". The only two disappointments are the early talkie "Man of the World", and the surprisingly awful "We're Not Dressing". Overall, this is a respectable set of Hollywood programmers that documents the rise of Carole Lombard's career.

I have to disagree with many of the classic film fans here who so passionately oppose multi-disc sets. Let's face it, when it comes to classic films we fans can not expect the royal treatment films like "My Man Godfrey", or "Gone With the Wind" receive to be given to programmers like "We're Not Dressing", and "Man of the World". If not for this set, these films would just be laying in a vault somewhere collecting dust. I would rather have these cheap flipper discs with quality video presentations than nothing. It's unreasonable to expect Universal to dote on every old film they release. Instead of directing anger at Universal, I'm going to give them praise for giving fans the chance to watch films that have been rarely seen since their original release.

Disappointing, slapdash presentation of Lombard..she deserves better........2006-07-03

Like Sardines packed in a tin, 6 of lovely Carole Lombard's lesser Paramount efforts are crammed on to two DVD-18 discs, so you get a nice cheap disc..which reflects how much respect (no less appreciation) Universal has for Lombard.

The films range from mediocre to OK. None of them great, none of them bad. The prints have not been restored, and look OK, but this is what Universal has to do when they are selling these films as a budget item.

Don't expect the incomparable high quality you get from Warner Bros. on these releases....the prints they were taken from are worn out and just plain bland.

in life, Lonbard was on fire. On these DVDs, she merely fizzles out.

Ah, you fixed it, Amazon!.......2006-06-25

Amazon has now corrected its product description to show that this collection is comprised of 6 movies on 2 discs and NOT 6 movies on 6 discs, as previously advertised. Thanks!
Disc 1
Side A: Man Of The World
We're Not Dressing
Side B: Hands Across The Table
Disc 2
Side A: Love Before Breakfast
The Princess Comes Across
Side B: True Confession
I hope this is helpful to someone!

Lombard is a hysterical legend (recommended).......2006-06-18

Beginning at the tender age of 13 in 1921, Carole Lombard appeared in nearly 80 films before her tragic death at 34 on January 20, 1942. How do you begin to recount her prolific career? THE GLAMOUR COLLECTION is a great start with three films on each two-sided disc. Sometimes the script is not as good as her humor. If you isolate her performances from the scripts, of the six films, I would say at least three could easily be considered some of her top roles. She is really funny in five and portrays a serious role in the other. Though TRUE CONFESSION is my favorite of the bunch, it makes more sense to view it after HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE because they work well as a two-part series. Here comes the fun part -- listing all six in best viewing order.

1. HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE (1935) ***** Costar Fred MacMurray
2. TRUE CONFESSION (1937) ***** Costar Fred MacMurray
3. THE PRINCESS COMES ACROSS (1936) ***** Costar Fred MacMurray
4. LOVE BEFORE BREAKFAST (1936) **** Costar Cesar Romero
5. MAN OF THE WORLD (1931) *** Costar William Powell
6. WE'RE NOT DRESSING (1934) *** Costar Bing Crosby

Film #1 is about a manicurist's search for a wealthy husband. Two prospects covertly battle for her affection. || Film #2 is about a newlywed couple -- a lawyer and a pathological liar. As the latter, Lombard demonstrates the diversity of her humorous expressions. || Film #3 is a screwball comedy whodunit that portrays the stunningly dressed Lombard as a "Svedish" princess. || Cesar Romero is a pawn used to court Lombard's true affection in film #4. || Lombard plays a non-comedic role in film #5 but it sets the stage for a wonderful reprisal five years later in MY MAN GODFREY (not on this disc). || Film #6 is the most ridiculous of the group. If you can stomach the dancing bear and Crosby's oh-too-apparent self admiration of his own singing talent you'll enjoy Lombard as she plays a wealthy woman courted by two princes and a lowly shipmate. It's obvious which one she admires but they all must work for her affection. The one in charge shifts when her yacht shipwrecks and key players find themselves on a "deserted" island.

Thank you for these fine theatrical contributions made to the film industry. With THE GLAMOUR COLLECTION I can say I've been privileged to view nine of Lombard's performances. I look forward to another -- perhaps MR AND MRS SMITH. (Please see MY MAN GODFREY and NOTHING SACRED. The genre of "screwball comedy" was coined from her performance in the latter.)

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Amazingly funny Wartime movie
Humor at its best
Funniest movie of all time
Mediocre classic
Luminous Lombard and a Never-Better Benny Light Up Lubitsch's Classic Nazi Satire

To Be or Not to Be
Starring: Carole Lombard , Jack Benny , Robert Stack , Felix Bressart , and Lionel Atwill
Director: Ernst Lubitsch , and J.C. Nugent
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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Ninotchka
Twentieth Century [Region 99]
Dinner at Eight
Libeled Lady
Heaven Can Wait (Criterion Collection)

ASIN: B0006Z2KYI
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com essential video

Just as Roberto Benigni found himself on the receiving end of some finger-wagging for making a comedy set during the Holocaust, so the great Ernst Lubitsch caught some heat for this extraordinary 1942 satire set behind enemy lines during World War II. In his best performance on film, Jack Benny stars as Joseph Tura, the lead actor and head of a Polish theater troupe that is suddenly enlisted as a Resistance organization when an American pilot (Robert Stack) requires protection. The twist is that the pilot has been having a series of trysts with Tura's wife (Carole Lombard), the hilarious evidence being the disruptive departure of Stack's character from a theater audience each night as the hammy Tura unknowingly cues the lovers by launching into Hamlet's famous soliloquy. The remarkable script by Edwin Justus Mayer ingeniously folds the tensions of a betrayed marriage into the comic suspense surrounding Tura and company's efforts to pull off a Mission: Impossible-like sting on the local Nazi command. Many unforgettable moments and lines of dialogue adorn this black comedy, and the performances--most memorably Sig Ruman's crisp volleys with Benny--are a dream. Above it all, however, is Lubitsch's unmistakable Continentalism, his accent on Old World manners especially in a dangerous situation, suggesting the Nazis' very vulgarity was a reflection of their profound evil. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Amazingly funny Wartime movie.......2007-06-16

At first I was amused at the story and especially the performance of Jack Benny. Imagine him, in tights, performing Hamlet... "To be or not to be..." with that famous bland look on his face. Maybe it's having grown up with listening to him on the radio and then watching him on TV, that I so much enjoyed him here.

But after thinking a bit about the movie, I moved from being merely amused to being quite amazed at how this movie was so able to portray truly horrific events in a comedic way, during the time of the actual war.

We've seen a lot of movies that show the misery of war. We've seen some that managed to make former wars funny (MASH comes to mind, which showed the Korean War, while we were in Viet Nam). I can't think of any that managed to pull off comedy while everyone who was making it and watching it was still at risk,, with the possible exception of Stalag 17..and I'm not sure when that came out. Can you imagine a comedy featuring Osama ben Laden or Saddam Hussein or whoever our current enemy is supposed to be? Maybe if we laughed at our enemies more we'd disarm them....

This makes me want to see the Mel Brooks version. He's another genius who understands real comedy.

Humor at its best.......2007-01-10

I discovered Lubitsch's oeuvre as a teenager and since then he has remained one of my favourite movie directors. Great plans, suggested sexual innuendo in the perfect European way with lots of (not obvious) puns, a quality of photography that makes the light around the actors shine like a halo, integrating Shakespeare's texts in the plot of the 1939 invasion of Poland is a coup de maitre! The movie was made during the war itself and as such, is a strong denunciation of the enemy, probably stronger than the more "in-your-face/full-of-blood" classic war movies. Lubitsch must have been a great optimist and even his earlier and rarely seen or acknowledged "Broken Lullaby" (about World War 1), which is maybe his only "tragedy" movie, keeps the hope alive.
My children, age 11 and 17, who had never ever watched a Black and White movie (how prehistoric!) loved To Be or Not To Be. I am hopeful that they will show this classic to their own children too.

Funniest movie of all time.......2007-01-04

This is by far the funniest movie ever made. Robert Stack looks all of seventeen. Jack Benny is young, but already has all the timing and mannerisms we saw in the early days of TV on the Jack Benny show. Carole Lombard (this is the last movie she ever made--she died in a plane crash soon after)is a comedic genius at the height of her talent. Listen carefully. You won't want to miss a single hilarious line.

Mediocre classic.......2006-12-04

I watched it when a child and I didn't like it or find it funny. I watched again after many years and I am of the same opinion. Nevermind the poor quality of my Region 2 Spanish dvd transfer, it is a dated classic. Its humor has not lasted well. Its dialogue, although witty at times, cannot do enough to recuperate from mediocrity this theatrically-oriented film. I have seen much better films by Mr. Lubitsch; comedy wasn't his 'forte', I'm afraid (though a few are really good, I like his dramas best).

Of course for those who like to spend time analyzing the subliminal messages of what they watch there must be quite a few paralellisms to reward their interest, as for me, the film did not click at all. So much so that whatever lies deeper than the superficially visible and audible of this story is of no concern to me.

I love old movies, not least silent ones, but this one reminds me of all the people who say they don't like them generally, and I know what they mean. I respect that people may like it, as it seems there's a lot of good reviews here, but I just don't see anything special in it.

Luminous Lombard and a Never-Better Benny Light Up Lubitsch's Classic Nazi Satire.......2006-07-26

There is a certain sense of melancholy I feel when I watch this 1942 classic Ernst Lubitsch movie, as it represents the last appearance of the luminous Carole Lombard, surely the most breathtaking and high-spirited of actresses during Hollywood's golden era. In a rush to get home to husband Clark Gable after a successful war bond tour, she died in a plane crash during the film's post-production, and as the result proves without a doubt, the world lost one of the great treasures of the silver screen. She and co-star Jack Benny play Maria and Joseph Tura, the egocentric stars of a Polish acting troupe who are caught in the 1939 Nazi invasion of Warsaw. As a world-class flirt, she is carrying on with a handsome young pilot named Stanislav Sobinski, and their trysts begin once he hears his cue to get up from his theater seat, Hamlet's famous opening line to his soliloquy as spoken by an increasingly perturbed Joseph.

The romantic triangle quickly takes a backseat to an espionage thriller involving a German spy named Professor Siletsky, who holds the names of members of the Polish underground. His intention is to kill them, but the acting troupe, now with their theater in ruins, band together to stop him. This includes the need for the extremely vainglorious Joseph to impersonate Siletsky in front of the befuddled Colonel Ehrhardt and for Maria to seduce any Nazi official who stands in their way. While it sounds like a piece of wartime propaganda, the film actually becomes more farcical even as people are getting killed.

As Joseph, Benny has never been better, conveying both self-absorption and cunning expertly, and the script by Edwin Justus Mayer and an uncredited Lubitsch gives him a number of great one-liners. With her honey-toned voice and smoky elegance, Lombard is at the top of her game as the seductive Maria, as she dexterously shows her comic and dramatic sides with precision and unparalleled style. Delivering her lines with subtle finesse, she provides a strong match for Benny. Sixty-four years later, and there is still no one who can touch her. The rest of the ensemble is memorable starting with Sig Ruman's hilarious turn as Ehrhardt. A fresh-faced Robert Stack, all of 22, plays Sobinski with a callow, zestful energy, while Felix Bressart excels as the ultimately heroic Greenberg.

The movie makes direct commentaries on the concentration camps, and the satirical aspects are blissfully unapologetic. The stylishness of the comedy in light of the virulent wartime setting is what makes the film memorable and it proves what a master Lubitsch was at this level of subtlety. The 2005 DVD comes with two extras both featuring Benny - an ancient twenty-minute comedy short from 1930 called "The Rounder" and a brief commercial for war bonds. I wish they could have included some tribute to Lombard as it would have been fitting on this disc.

My Man Godfrey (Colorized / Black and White)

Average customer rating:

Vintage Movie
Another Great Classic
A Classic
All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.
Another wonderful Legend Films movie!!!!!

My Man Godfrey (Colorized / Black and White)
Starring: William Powell , Carole Lombard , Alice Brady , Gail Patrick , and Eugene Pallette
Director: Gregory La Cava
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)
Libeled Lady
The Lady Eve - Criterion Collection
Kennel Murder Case (1933) (B&W)

ASIN: B0007IO73G
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Amazon.com essential video

Director Gregory La Cava deftly balances satire, romance, and social comment in this 1936 classic, which echoes Frank Capra in its Depression-era subtext. The Bullocks are a well-heeled, harebrained Manhattan family genetically engineered for screwball collisions: father Alexander (Eugene Pallette, of the foghorn voice and thick-knit eyebrows) is the breadwinner at wit's end, thanks to his spoiled daughters, the sultry Cornelia (Gail Patrick) and the sweet but scatterbrained Irene (a luminous Carole Lombard), his dizzy and doting wife, Angelica (Alice Brady), and her "protégé," Italian freeloader Carlo (Mischa Auer). When Irene wins a society scavenger hunt (and atypically trumps her scheming sister) by producing a "lost man," a seeming tramp named Godfrey (William Powell), all their lives are transformed. With the always suave, effortlessly funny Powell in the title role, this mystery man provides the film's conscience and its model of decency; the giddy, passionate Lombard holds out its model for triumphant love. In a movie riddled with memorable comic highlights, the real miracle is the unapologetic romanticism that prevails. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Movie.......2007-04-02

My wife, Dee was the one instrumental in me purchasing & throughly enjoying this classic. She had seen it numerous times on afternoon TV movies when she was a little girl growing up in the 50's. William Powell & Carol Lombard were incredible together. The father & mother of Carol Lombard in the movie were equally amusing. I was pleaseantly surprised to find Lomard as a rather good comedian. Dick Powell, whom I faintly remember from the Thin Man movie series, was convincing as a rich man who hit rock bottom & became a street person. This 30's movie has struck an interest in me for more Dick Powell & Carol Lombard movies.

Another Great Classic.......2007-03-30

Why can't they make movies like this anymore. Funny, heartwarming, entertaining.

A Classic.......2007-03-11

I first got hooked on William Powell from watching the Thin Man Movies. His acting style and personality fit the "rich man posting as a butler" genre perfectly. His mannerisms, and speech would fit either role in life. Carol Lombard to me always seemed like a breath of fresh air. Eugene Pallette adds a little humerous touch to every role he plays. The entire cast play their roles perfectly, and make for some humerous as well as warm moments. I first saw this movie on a DVD I purchased in a "thrift bin" in a retail store. It was fuzzy and had the usual spots that most old movies have. Even so, it became one of my favorites. When it was released in a colorized version, and had been "cleaned up" and enhanced, I jumped at the chance to own it. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who a William Powell or Carol Lombard fan. And if they are not fans, they should be after watching this movie.

All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people........2007-03-11

The below-stairs people usually got ignored in old movies. But there's a very interesting twist in "My Man Godfrey," a fun screwball comedy about a rich little girl who adores her secretive homeless-turned-butler. The dialogue is snappy, the storyline is fun, but the relationship between the two leads is never quite convincing.

The list for a charity scavenger hunt includes "lost man." Scatterbrained Irene Bullock (Carole Lombard) is about to lose to her nasty sister, until "lost man" Godfrey (William Powell) volunteers to help her. As a reward, Irene makes Godfrey the new butler for her moneyed Park Avenue family, who turns out to be kind of crazy -- a long-suffering dad, cruel sister, and a mom who sees gnomes.

And it soon becomes clear that Irene has a massive crush on Godfrey, but not only does he reject her, but he keeps his past a secret. And her spiteful sister Cornelia (Gail Patrick) is planning to get back at Godfrey for humiliating her, by framing him for a theft...

Basically "My Man Godfrey" is just a cute little upper-crust storyline of the type that was popular in the 1930s, so people could ignore their Depression troubles for a few hours. And it succeeds at being a solid little comedy -- not quite screwball but occasionally verging on it.

For the first half, we're basically treated to the wacky antics of Irene's family (including a horse in the study), and Godfrey's mild disbelief at what a bunch of weirdos they are. And after that it gets more serious, with Cornelia's war on Godfrey, but the kooky comedy is kept up through witty dialogue and warped family encounters. ("Take a look at the dizzy old gal with the goat." "I've had to look at her for 20 years - that's MRS. Bullock!" "I'm terribly sorry!" "How do you think I feel?").

The only real problem is Godfrey and Irene. They make a cute couple, and ex-hubby-and-wife Powell and Lombard have some nice chemistry. Unfortunately the ending seems very contrived, since Godfrey never gives even the slightest indication that he even really likes Irene, let alone loves her. Not a word, not a gesture.

But taken apart, they do a brilliant job -- Lombard pouts, bubbles, cries and generally flakes around as the scatterbrained Irene, who doesn't recognize Godfrey after he shaves off "those nice whiskers." And Powell has his usual wry, brainy charm, but with a slightly sarcastic edge. Eugene Pallette and Alice Brady are also fun as Irene's longsuffering dad and flaky mom.

"My Man Godfrey" is a classic little comedy of flaky socialites and secretive butlers -- just on this side of screwball. Charming and quirky.

Another wonderful Legend Films movie!!!!!.......2007-03-05

This is another wonderful Legend Films movie with both black and white or colorized versions included on dvd. The quality of the restoration and colorization is absolutely the best anywhere. You can't go wrong with a movie done by Legend Films!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

"The sorrows of life are the joys of art."
Seminal Screwball Classic Ages a Bit But Still Has Barrymore and Lombard in Peak Form
Barrymore! Bravo!
Great screwball fun
Barrymore, Lombard And All The Ham You Could Ever Want

Twentieth Century [Region 99]
Starring: John Barrymore , Carole Lombard , Walter Connolly , Roscoe Karns , and Ralph Forbes
Director: Howard Hawks
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Palm Beach Story
Dinner at Eight
To Be or Not to Be
Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)
Libeled Lady

ASIN: B00070HK3S
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Amazon.com

Screwball comedy was practically invented by this classic Howard Hawks picture, a breathless farce with not an ounce of sentimentality. John Barrymore, in magnificent form, plays egomaniacal Broadway producer Oscar Jaffe, who molds his latest protégé, Mildred Plotka, into elegant thee-a-tuh star Lily Garland (Carole Lombard). The last hour of the picture has Oscar and Lily, now on the outs, battling each other on the Chicago-to-New York train. These two marvelous creatures are quintessential Hawks characters, figures of pure style who can't exist without the adrenaline and spark so amply supplied by the Hecht-MacArthur script. Hawks's giddyup pacing anticipates Bringing Up Baby and His Girl Friday, and his deployment of character actors (notably Walter Connolly and Roscoe Karns, as Jaffe's long-suffering, oft-fired flunkies) is sublime. Barrymore and Lombard take it at full speed, grand and horrid and silly and probably meant for each other. --Robert Horton

Description

Carole Lombard and John Barrymore star in this all-time classic screwball comedy based on the Charles MacArthur-Ben Hecht Broadway hit and directed by Howard Hawks. It's the story of a maniacal Broadway director (Barrymore) who transforms shopgirl Carole Lombard from a talented amateur to a smashing Great White Way success adored by public and press.

Customer Reviews:

"The sorrows of life are the joys of art.".......2007-05-11

"She's marvelous, just as I thought. Fire, passion, everything," John Barrymore's maniacal producer character dramatically declares, speaking of Lily Garland (the woman played by Carole Lombard). "The gold is all there, but we must mine it." And mine it he does. That's the plot of this film---transforming "a shop girl from a talented amateur to a smashing Great White Way success adored by the public and press"---which is based on a play; and it very much feels like a play, with John Barrymore's bellowing theatrical voice seemingly reaching for imaginary balconies. One might be inclined to call Barrymore's portrayal herein over-acting; in which case, if you're so inlined toward this view, you'll rather dislike this film. But if you're a John Barrymore fan; or if you're one who relishes screwball antics (perhaps with a helping of the theatrics of a Norma Desmond playing beyond the camera) then you ought delight in this film.

"Twentieth Century" (the name of a train---which Barrymore's character utilizes to return to New York after having been run out of town in Chicago) is all Lombard and the aforementioned dramatic lead, with delicious sidekick foils played by Walter Connolly and Roscoe Karns; one of which Barrymore's Jaffe character fires three times over the proceedings herein (the first time in this manner: "I've had enough of your treachery. Get out! From now on, I close the iron door on you"). If you liked the back and forth romantic antagonism of "Bringing Up Baby," "The Awful Truth, and/or "Moonlighting," and found the performance of Walter Matthau in "The Sunshine Boys" to be rich, and eccentrically entertaining, then this film might be your cup of tea. Cheers

Seminal Screwball Classic Ages a Bit But Still Has Barrymore and Lombard in Peak Form.......2006-08-24

Master filmmaker Howard Hawks' sure hand at outrageous, character-driven farce is what maneuvers this seminal 1934 screwball comedy into its acknowledged status as a film classic. More than anything else here, he appears responsible for the transformation of Carole Lombard's screen persona from uncertain glamour girl to first-class comedy pro, as she vividly portrays Mildred Plotka, a struggling actress nurtured by Oscar Jaffe, an egomaniacal Broadway impresario. Through his Svengali-like techniques, he has changed the former Mildred into Lily Garland and a major star, but his obsessive behavior leads to her departure to Hollywood for film success and his tailspin into a series of stage flops. By chance, they are both on the Twentieth Century en route from Chicago to New York, and the frenetic plot settles into Oscar's excessive attempts to re-sign Lily to another contract. Screenwriters Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, already famous for their fast-talking "The Front Page", apply the same kinetic energy to this broadly theatrical farce.

Even though not all the comedy bits work (for instance, the rich asylum escapee's placing "Repent" stickers everywhere), the feverish pitch never lets up, and the cast is very game for the shenanigans. Precariously dangling himself at the edge of caricature, John Barrymore is in peak form in a ham-fisted turn as Jaffe. Whether drawing the chalk lines for Lily to follow or repeatedly caught in fake-suicide attempts, Barrymore seems to relish every moment in what was to be his last first-class starring role. On the other hand, Lombard blooms with her performance here, as she matches toe to toe with Barrymore. Their chemistry, which only hints at a romantic relationship, seems to be the prototype for all persistently contentious movie couples thereafter. Familiar character actors Roscoe Karns and Walter Connolly breezily play Jaffe's exasperated assistants. The print and audio transfers are surprisingly clean on the 2005 DVD considering the film's age. The only extras are trailers for three vintage films Sony was releasing at the same time.

Barrymore! Bravo!.......2006-06-27

When one thinks of great cinematic acting performances the usual associations are with Brando in "Streetcar Named Desire" or DeNiro in "Raging Bull" or Garbo in "Camille". You know, the serious high brow kind of stuff. However another kind of brilliance can be seen in this wonderful 1934 release. It is John Barrymore positively filling the screen with an over the top -- way way over the top --portrayal of theater impresario Oscar "OJ" Jaffe in "Twentieth Century." He is a positive howl, a scream a preening drama king and -- now here's the real trick -- always within character. This is comic acting at its absolute best.
As if that weren't enough the stellar cast includes the queen of screwball comedies, the luscious Carole Lombard. Also on hand is the kind of wonderful supporting cast that typically blessed major studio productions in the 1930's, specifically Walter Connally, Roscoe Karns, Edgar Kennedy and the ubiquitous Charles Lane.
The movie begins with Jaffe guiding his latest discovery, Lily Garland (nee Mildred Plotkin) who he has plucked from obscurity, to give a great performance in her stage debut.
Garland (played by Lombard) goes on to earn great acclaim and star in several more Jaffe plays but eventually splits from him for reasons that add significantly to the film's overall hilarity. As a consequence of losing his star, Jaffe produces a series of flops and goes broke in the process. Meanwhile Garland goes on to even bigger fame in -- horrors! -- Hollywood.
Aboard a train called the Twentieth Century the two meet again and the real fun ensues as Jaffe tries to win her back.
"Twentieth Century" was blessed with the deft direction of Howard Hawks who knew a thing or twelve about directing comedies.
The DVD has no special features to speak of, but it is special enough just to watch Barrymore, a grand master at his craft, go all out. Bravo!

Great screwball fun.......2006-06-12

Carole Lombard and John Barrymore are at their best in this screwball comedy. Broadway producer Barrymore "discovers" Lombard working in a department store and makes her a star actress (and his mistress). But they bicker all the time and Lombard decides to go to Hollywood: she wants to be in pictures. Later when the two coincidentally occupy the same Twentieth Century Limited train from Chicago to New York, well, it becomes the wackiest train ride until Preston Sturges put Claudette Colbert and the Ale & Quail Club aboard a similar train to Florida in THE PALM BEACH STORY. The pace of the movie is lightning fast, and the yelling back and forth combined with the moments of fleeting tenderness is hilarious. The train is also filled with other weird characters, including a religious fanatic with delusions of wealth and two bearded guys who hope to get into one of Barrymore's plays. But Barrymore has his ways, and when the train rolls into Grand Central, Lombard has inked the contract he wanted from her. Great fun to watch - a classic!

Barrymore, Lombard And All The Ham You Could Ever Want.......2005-11-02

"Now don't be nervous, child," says impresario Oscar Jaffe (John Barrymore) during rehearsals to Mildred Plotka (Carole Lombard), a New Jersey shopgirl he's just renamed Lily Garland and thrust into the starring role of Mary Jo Calhoun in Heart of Kentucky. "You're not Lily Garland anymore. You're little Mary Jo Calhoun. The scent of jasmine is floating through the open window of a summer evening. You've just kissed your lover goodnight. You're full of...vibrations."

Lily Garland becomes a star. She and Jaffe have three hits in three years. Although Jaffe is drawn to shapely legs and mirrors, he and Lily become lovers. Then Jaffe makes the mistake one day of tapping her phone to make sure she doesn't stray. Before you can say "ham" Lily is in revolt and on her way to Hollywood by herself. She becomes a huge film star. And Oscar? It's flop after flop without Lily...until by chance they find themselves in adjoining staterooms on the Twentieth Century traveling from Chicago to New York. Can Oscar convince (or trick) Lily into signing a contract with him? Can Lily forgive Oscar? Will the "Repent for the time is at hand" stickers ever come off Oliver Webb's derby? Will Jaffe find the camels, the elephants, the sand for his Obermangau smash he's planning to have Lily star in as Mary Magdalene? Was there ever a faster, funnier and hammier screwball comedy than Twentieth Century?

John Barrymore was a great actor. He also could be a great ham. The two come together here in his amazingly funny, ripe melodramatic performance. He pulls out all stops, clutching his heart, staggering against a door, even picking his nose. When he lowers his eyebrows and glares, it's 100 per cent Smithfield. The screenplay by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur gives him some great, self-involved dialogue. Catching Lily kissing her fiance, he dramatically roars at her, "This is the final irony -- mousing around with boys after Oscar Jaffe!" Carole Lombard just about matches him toe to toe. The end of the movie, by the way, is as amusing as the start.

Key elements in the success of the movie are the character parts: Walter Connolly as Oliver Webb, Jaffe's business manager, always being fired, always making some terrible misjudgment; Roscoe Karnes as Owen O'Malley, Jaffe's press agent, wise-cracking and drunk; Etienne Girardot as an elderly religious zealot plastering repent stickers on windows, hats and people's backs, and writing bum checks. Howard Hawks directs with a fast and furious hand. Everything keeps moving, dialogue overlaps, nothing seems stage-bound even though half the movie takes place basically in one of two train staterooms.

This movie is over 70 years old and still plays as one of the best comedies Hollywood ever produced. Barrymore's hamminess is skilled acting. Lombard is gorgeous and gets away with just about as much ham as Barrymore. They're both just inches from over the top and they're funny, funny, funny.

The DVD picture looks just fine, especially considering the age of the movie.

Average customer rating:

Vintage Movie
Another Great Classic
A Classic
All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.
Another wonderful Legend Films movie!!!!!

My Man Godfrey
Starring: William Powell; Carole Lombard; June Allyson; Gail Patrick; Alice Brady; Eugene Pallette; Alan Mowbray
Director: Gregory Lacava
Manufacturer: Reel Enterprises
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)
Libeled Lady
The Lady Eve - Criterion Collection
Kennel Murder Case (1933) (B&W)

ASIN: B000KJTC6O
Release Date: 2006-11-13

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Classic screwball comedy with Lombard as madcap heiress who hires Powell as butler after finding him on garbage hunt. Marvelously funny Powell teaches them money isn't everything. He's actually from a wealthy Boston family and took up residence at the dump after a bad love affair. From Eric Hatch novel. Academy Award nominations for Best Director-Gregory LaCava; Best Actor-Powell; Best Actress-Lombard; Best Supporting Actor-Mowbray; Best Supporting Actress-Brady; and Best Screenplay-Eric Hatch and Morris Ryskinch. Great movie!

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Movie.......2007-04-02

Another Great Classic.......2007-03-30

Why can't they make movies like this anymore. Funny, heartwarming, entertaining.

A Classic.......2007-03-11

All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people........2007-03-11

Another wonderful Legend Films movie!!!!!.......2007-03-05

Average customer rating:

Vintage Movie
Another Great Classic
A Classic
All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people.
Another wonderful Legend Films movie!!!!!

My Man Godfrey - Criterion Collection
Starring: William Powell , Carole Lombard , Alice Brady , Gail Patrick , and Eugene Pallette
Director: Gregory La Cava
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Screwball Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)
Libeled Lady
The Lady Eve - Criterion Collection
Kennel Murder Case (1933) (B&W)

ASIN: B00005EBSE
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Amazon.com essential video

Description

The definitive screwball comedy, My Man Godfrey follows the madcap antics of a wealthy and eccentric family when they hire a down-and-out "forgotten man" as their butler. My Man Godfrey features brilliant performances by Carole Lombard and William Powell, and was the first film to receive Academy Award® nominations in all four acting categories.

Customer Reviews:

Vintage Movie.......2007-04-02

Another Great Classic.......2007-03-30

Why can't they make movies like this anymore. Funny, heartwarming, entertaining.

A Classic.......2007-03-11

All you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people........2007-03-11

Another wonderful Legend Films movie!!!!!.......2007-03-05

Average customer rating:

Curiously
The queen of screwball comedy meets Hitchcock
Kiss and make up -- not all that easy (recommended)
HITCHCOCK'S RARE MISS
Very good but kinda uneven Lombard comedy

Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Starring: Pamela Blake , Ralph Brooks , Jack Carson , Betty Compson , and Esther Dale
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Screwball Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Foreign Correspondent
Stage Fright
Suspicion
I Confess
Carole Lombard - The Glamour Collection (Hands Across the Table/ Love Before Breakfast/ Man of the World/ The Princess Comes Across/ True Confession/ We're Not Dressing)

ASIN: B0002HOEPS
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

Before Hollywood had entirely typecast Alfred Hitchcock as the master of suspense, with Mr. & Mrs. Smith he was allowed to fashion an elegant romantic trifle starring Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard. It probably won't replace Rear Window or Psycho in your affections, but the film is more than a curious footnote to the director's career. The two leads play David and Ann Smith, a devoted but endlessly squabbling couple who discover their three-year marriage isn't legal. When he unexpectedly hesitates to arrange a second wedding, she storms out in a huff and soon begins dating his solid, dependable business partner Jeff (Gene Raymond). The rest follows the formula laid down by such previous screwball comedies as The Awful Truth (1937) and Bringing Up Baby (1938): David employs fair means or foul to win back Ann's heart, causes all sorts of complicated mischief, then... well, three guesses what happens in the end.

The intriguing thing about the movie is how Hitchcock takes Norman Krasna's paper-thin script and adds sly undercurrents of menace. Violence seems about to erupt in the recurring scenes where Ann shaves her husband (suggestively holding a razor up to his throat)--and there's a touch of Vertigo in one scary moment when a jammed amusement park ride leaves two characters dangling helplessly high above the ground. Montgomery and Lombard keep the mood acceptably frivolous, while indicating the flawed nature of the marital relationship. From the evidence of this one-off, Hitchcock might have been among the best comedy directors in the business, had he so wished. --Peter Matthews

Customer Reviews:

Curiously .......2007-03-01

Coming from director Alfred Hitchcock, MR. AND MRS. SMITH is a curiosity piece. Not fitting into any of the director's usual genres this comedy is a lot of fun. Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard make a great team. Pretty good scripting.

The queen of screwball comedy meets Hitchcock.......2007-02-26

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard) have a marriage with many ups and downs. One day at the office Mr. Smith finds out that he is not legally married. Surprise Mrs. Smith finds out also and waits for Mr. Smith to propose the make it legal. Some how he forgets to do this and drives her into the arms of his friend and partner.

Why won't the cat eat the soup?
How will all this turn out?

This formula was popular in the time the movie was made. This version is a tad more complex but still is necessary to suspend reality. We do get a good look at the 1939 Worlds Fair. Carole Lombard is not quits as noisy. Robert Montgomery is good at almost slapstick situations.

Kiss and make up -- not all that easy (recommended).......2006-07-23

The 2005 version with Brad Pitt about undercover spies is not a remake and is unrelated to the 1941 MR. & MRS. SMITH. In this Hitchcock comedy, Ann Smith (Carole Lombard) is the well-dressed romantic spoiled bride of wealthy lawyer, David Smith (Robert Montgomery -- father of famed BEWITCHED star Elizabeth Montgomery). Ann insists on David's honesty in their 3-year old marriage. Any arguments must be resolved before anyone is allowed to leave the bedroom.

An unexpected visitor to David's office reveals that the marriage is not legal. Unbeknownst to David, the gentleman later visits Ann with the same news. Ann assumes David will top off a romantic evening with a legal marriage ceremony so she squeezes into her original wedding dress. It appears, however, that David is not in a hurry to exchange vows, though he is willing to change into something more comfortable after a Champagne nightcap. An infuriated Ann, then amplifies her "singleness" by evicting David, obtaining employment, and looking for a new mate. The battle is on, as David is intent to sabotage Ann's plans.

This makes my tenth Lombard film viewing. As matriarch of the screwball comedy genre, she again demonstrates her talent to deliver smart lines and convey intense emotion. (She works those eyebrows!) The ending wasn't quite what one might expect and the largely Hitchcock British humor is more subtle than slapstick. Nevertheless, there are many funny situations and inuendos. Most of the vindictive actions are just plain crude and unreasonable, but make no mistake, MR. AND MRS. SMITH is enjoyable.

Movie quote: "I can't imagine anything hanging in the closet shrinking so much."

HITCHCOCK'S RARE MISS.......2006-06-11

Alfred Hitchcock was one of the greatest directors of all time and probably my personal favorite. I have found genius in every movie he has ever done, except for this one. Mr. and Mrs. Smith creates characters that come across more evil than misunderstood with the exception of Mr. Smith. He is misunderstood and his life is turned upside down over it, so you do feel for him. However, the other two main characters in the movie, Mrs. Smith and his best friend, are the type of people you don't want in your life. Unfortunately for Mr. Smith, these are the two most important people in his life, two people that selfishly drop him like a bad habit for their own selfish motives. Mrs. Smith is never even in love with the friend, yet she is willing to marry him. Had Mrs. Smith been made an antagonist, I probably could have loved this film. Instead we are to hope for her happiness as well.

I am also a big fan of Angelina Jolie, so when I heard about a remake of a Hitchcock classic I had never seen, I was excited. I held off watching this one til I saw the new Jolie/Pitt version, which made no difference as they were nothing alike. The new movie was an extremely enjoyable film. It was meant to be sexy, fun, and absurd, and it worked on all three levels. Hitchcock's movie worked on none of these levels. And I have found more comedy in most of his suspense movies. It also lacked the sarcastic element of The Trouble With Harry, which could have made this a far better movie. And it lacked a couple that you rooted for in the end like most great romance comedies. If there was a comedic or romantic element to get here, I guess I didn't get it.

Very good but kinda uneven Lombard comedy.......2006-05-07

Carol Lombard was a beauty and totally genius comic actress. Nothing Sacred and My Man Godfrey and To Be or Not To Be are for sure her biggest hits. This film is far less well remembered which is a 95% loss but not a total one.
While Lombard is in top form it is Hitch who really isn't. The movie is weak at times with uneven plottwists (how did Mr. Smith rig it so Mrs. Smith and her new fiance would get the cabin instead of a regular lodge room? for one example). If the film had been a little less obviously uneven it would have worked even better. this uneeven element was a Hitchcock that he often put into his films so people wouldn't take them too seriously. But this was a comedy people probably weren't going to take too seriously anyway even if it hadn't been obviously uneven. Still more than worth your time thanks to Lombard's perfect performance.

Average customer rating:

great film with fun bits of trivia and [previously] unseen film footage......
A Look Back At MGM That's Both Honest And Nostalgic
The third outing...
As good as the first, THAT'S ENT III is cinematic heaven!
A little something for everyone

That's Entertainment III
Starring: Gene Kelly , June Allyson , Cyd Charisse , Lena Horne , and Howard Keel
Director: Michael J. Sheridan , and Bud Friedgen
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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