The Stranger's Return is an interesting pre-code film to watch, because although it deals with shocking subjects for the time period (like divorce and adultery), the film comes off relatively tame today. Louise Storr (Miriam Hopkins) has just divorced her husband and for a bit of a holiday and a way to get back to her roots, she revisits the family farm. Her grandfather (Lionel Barrymore) takes her back with open arms and shows her how wonderful a rural life can be, even for a city girl. Despite his age, he is a very active sort and continues to parade around his independence amid snobby onlookers. He even introduces his grand daughter to their neighbor Guy Crane (Franchot Tone), a married man who turns out to be the perfect diversion for the girl.
This movie is all about gossip and loyalty and finding a place to belong, but it is presented casually so as not to be mistaken for anything but entertainment. It features pleasing performances from some of the big names of the era, namely Barrymore who carries the film.
This movie is all about gossip and loyalty and finding a place to belong, but it is presented casually so as not to be mistaken for anything but entertainment. It features pleasing performances from some of the big names of the era, namely Barrymore who carries the film.