Frank Borzage directed stories that had a spiritual bent to them, and were about people making hard choices. When he freelanced at Republic Pictures during the postwar period, he made three films in different genres: one was the musical I'VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU; one was the introspective noir MOONRISE; and one was this film, a drama about horses and gambling. Each title depicts someone who is struggling with a life-changing choice, or set of choices.
In THAT'S MY MAN the person who is struggling most is the character played by Don Ameche. We learn he's quit his job and decided to go down a new path. But these changes bring with them a great deal of uncertainty.
He meets a girl (Catherine McLeod) one rainy night at a drug store. They share a cab ride, and she learns that he has no place stay. And neither does his, ahem "baby"-- an adorable colt he calls Gallant Man. Ameche is good looking and persuasive, and he begins to work his charms on McLeod.
Against her better judgment, McLeod agrees to sneak him and the animal into her low-rent apartment. This initial 'meet cute' phase of the relationship is unique, but we know the film is not really going to be a romantic comedy since Ameche's plan to start over involves getting a job at a nearby stable, raising the colt and becoming the owner of his own stables someday. He doesn't dream small, and if McLeod wants to sign on to a life with him, it won't be easy.
The middle section of the film involves the problems they face in their married life. McLeod is soon pregnant, but Ameche's luck holds with Gallant Man, since the now-grown horse has become a champion racer. Trivia note: the jockey is played by Frankie Darro who often played such roles due to his small size and youthful looks. Second trivia note: Darro had starred in Borzage's earlier film NO GREATER GLORY.
Despite their successes at the track, the marriage between Ameche and McLeod hits a few big snags because he has a gambling addiction. They face a great deal of debt, when he loses what they've won with Gallant Man.
It all reaches a turning point, when Ameche misses the birth of their son; and from there, he becomes less involved in family life. Since this is a story about pride and the value of family, we know Ameche will be forced to do much soul-searching, especially when McLeod asks him to move out and implies she'd like a divorce.
There are a few good subplots. One of these involves a cab driver (Roscoe Karns) who had helped the couple on the night they met. He has continued a friendship with both of them; and plays matchmaker and peacemaker during the ups-and-downs. Karns is also a gambler, but he doesn't take as many risks as Ameche does.
Another subplot involves a group of men that Ameche plays cards with, when he strays from McLeod. One of the men in the group (John Ridgely) is his former boss who runs a rival stable. Ridgely wants to buy Gallant Man. Of course, Gallant Man is never for sale.
Some viewers may find THAT'S MY MAN a bit too sentimental in spots, but I think that's part of its charm. A dramatic sequence involving the near-death of the child pours things on thick, but it facilitates a necessary change in Ameche's character.
I think these stories appealed to moviegoers in the late 1940s. There was hope that the status quo could be reclaimed after nearly losing everything. In this regard, it is an uplifting motion picture with plenty to recommend itself.
In THAT'S MY MAN the person who is struggling most is the character played by Don Ameche. We learn he's quit his job and decided to go down a new path. But these changes bring with them a great deal of uncertainty.
He meets a girl (Catherine McLeod) one rainy night at a drug store. They share a cab ride, and she learns that he has no place stay. And neither does his, ahem "baby"-- an adorable colt he calls Gallant Man. Ameche is good looking and persuasive, and he begins to work his charms on McLeod.
Against her better judgment, McLeod agrees to sneak him and the animal into her low-rent apartment. This initial 'meet cute' phase of the relationship is unique, but we know the film is not really going to be a romantic comedy since Ameche's plan to start over involves getting a job at a nearby stable, raising the colt and becoming the owner of his own stables someday. He doesn't dream small, and if McLeod wants to sign on to a life with him, it won't be easy.
The middle section of the film involves the problems they face in their married life. McLeod is soon pregnant, but Ameche's luck holds with Gallant Man, since the now-grown horse has become a champion racer. Trivia note: the jockey is played by Frankie Darro who often played such roles due to his small size and youthful looks. Second trivia note: Darro had starred in Borzage's earlier film NO GREATER GLORY.
Despite their successes at the track, the marriage between Ameche and McLeod hits a few big snags because he has a gambling addiction. They face a great deal of debt, when he loses what they've won with Gallant Man.
It all reaches a turning point, when Ameche misses the birth of their son; and from there, he becomes less involved in family life. Since this is a story about pride and the value of family, we know Ameche will be forced to do much soul-searching, especially when McLeod asks him to move out and implies she'd like a divorce.
There are a few good subplots. One of these involves a cab driver (Roscoe Karns) who had helped the couple on the night they met. He has continued a friendship with both of them; and plays matchmaker and peacemaker during the ups-and-downs. Karns is also a gambler, but he doesn't take as many risks as Ameche does.
Another subplot involves a group of men that Ameche plays cards with, when he strays from McLeod. One of the men in the group (John Ridgely) is his former boss who runs a rival stable. Ridgely wants to buy Gallant Man. Of course, Gallant Man is never for sale.
Some viewers may find THAT'S MY MAN a bit too sentimental in spots, but I think that's part of its charm. A dramatic sequence involving the near-death of the child pours things on thick, but it facilitates a necessary change in Ameche's character.
I think these stories appealed to moviegoers in the late 1940s. There was hope that the status quo could be reclaimed after nearly losing everything. In this regard, it is an uplifting motion picture with plenty to recommend itself.