There's no question that this was an MGM B movie. And unfortunately, incredibly lackluster screen writers ruined the first 20 minutes of the film by imagining that every word that comes out of the mouths of fairly well off Americans is clever...which, of course, is so unrealistic. Not knowing what this film was about, based on that 20 minutes, I would have normally turned the film off. However, I think that both Robert Cummings and Laraine Day were terribly underrated actors, so I decided to stick with it. And then, about 20 minutes into the film, like a slap in the face, the film turns from being a failed romantic story to a man being sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit. What a turn-around. The man (Cummings) accepts going to prison to protect a romantic interest (Jean Muir) who is too cowardly to tell the truth. And Muir is haunted by her sister's (Day) constant reminders of her cowardice. Meanwhile, Day is falling in love with Cummings, and almost single-handedly, she gets Cummings a pardon from his 5 year prison sentence. And it seems for a while as if Cummings is going to fall back in love with the WRONG sister! But, Cummings and Day do live happily ever-after.
Robert Cummings is interesting. He had some wonderful films where he showed some real acting ability, such as Hitchcock's "Sabateur", "King's Row", and the bright comedy "The Devil And Miss Jones". But things eventually went downhill, perhaps due to his drug use, and he ended up being a rather successful television star for a while, before practically disappearing. He's very good here as a rather young actor on the verge of real stardom.
Laraine Day was right in the middle of her series of Dr. Kildare films with Lew Ayres when she made this film. She's very right for the part.
The supporting cast here is interesting, as well. Starting with probably the worst actress to ever be a successful film actress -- Billie Burke. To think that she was the wife of Flo Ziegfeld is mind-boggling! Esther Dale is, once again, the perfect maid. Rand Brooks (Charles Hamilton in GWTW) has a role as a suitor; I had no idea he was such a prolific -- if unremarkable -- actor until I looked him up.
One last comment. I mentioned the inappropriate first 20 minutes (roughly) of the film. The low point of the film, however, is the clownish behavior of the family of the manslaughter victim of the plot. Stupid movie-making.
However, this is a film worth watching. It's good. In the right hands (in terms of direction and screen writing) it could have been great. They let down the stars.
Robert Cummings is interesting. He had some wonderful films where he showed some real acting ability, such as Hitchcock's "Sabateur", "King's Row", and the bright comedy "The Devil And Miss Jones". But things eventually went downhill, perhaps due to his drug use, and he ended up being a rather successful television star for a while, before practically disappearing. He's very good here as a rather young actor on the verge of real stardom.
Laraine Day was right in the middle of her series of Dr. Kildare films with Lew Ayres when she made this film. She's very right for the part.
The supporting cast here is interesting, as well. Starting with probably the worst actress to ever be a successful film actress -- Billie Burke. To think that she was the wife of Flo Ziegfeld is mind-boggling! Esther Dale is, once again, the perfect maid. Rand Brooks (Charles Hamilton in GWTW) has a role as a suitor; I had no idea he was such a prolific -- if unremarkable -- actor until I looked him up.
One last comment. I mentioned the inappropriate first 20 minutes (roughly) of the film. The low point of the film, however, is the clownish behavior of the family of the manslaughter victim of the plot. Stupid movie-making.
However, this is a film worth watching. It's good. In the right hands (in terms of direction and screen writing) it could have been great. They let down the stars.