A thoroughly enjoyable battle of the sexes type of film, with Van Johnson, a musically inclined doctor, being fought over, tooth and nail, by two ambitious women, one(Kathryn), his ex-wife. Just saw this on TCM. Being in B&W, obviously, it was considered by MGM to be a budget film. After her last 2 films costarring Sinatra bombed, MGM was looking for a a new male costar for Kathryn. Mario Lanza's singing style more matched hers, and they made 2 commercially successful films together. However, Kathryn couldn't stomach Mario's abusive megalomaniacal personality. Soon, Howard Keel would be found an ideal singing partner for her high budget musicals.In this film, they also tried likable Van Johnson. True, Van was no heavy weight singer and didn't have matinée idol looks. But, he was right for his part in this film. I thought he had good chemistry with Kathryn in this vastly underrated musical comedy about a pushy shrew with knockout looks and angelic singing voice trying to win back, by whatever means it took,her ex-husband. It's amusing to see Kathryn acting as if she were in a silent film, after she looses her voice for psychosomatic reasons, for about half the film. If you have never seen the Fire House Five plus Two do some of their very hot Dixieland Jazz, they are an added attraction. Toward the end, the story becomes a madcap comedy comparable to the best of them. Funny witty dialogue between the 4 principles in a fast moving back and forth romantic tangle,with Van loosing his voice for a spell, in imitation of Kathryn.Prior to this, we see and hear parts of a rendition of "Carmen" in Van's dream. Van's singing voice is obviously dubbed, probably by Mario. I think if MGM had shot this film in color and promoted it, it would have fared much better at the box office.
Review of Grounds for Marriage
