Hedy Lamarr and Robert Young are well-paired in this movie. She plays the mature independent woman. He plays the good-natured homespun man. The movie is slow and touching, in the genre of movies where modern life conflicts with old and established life. I was reminded of "The Magnificent Ambersons." I agree that this was one of Hedy's best performances, and interestingly another in which her character has a male name (perhaps to balance her beguiling femininity.) In this and a few other movies, her face conveys a variety of emotions, often breaking the placidity of her porcelain beauty. Robert sets the tone of this movie. It would have been very different if another actor had been cast. He was an excellent choice for this role. Passion and prudence clash in this story, and as was often the case in Hays' Hollywood, the result is bittersweet. One of my favorite lines is when Marvin says to Harry on the sled, "Now don't be like Ethan Frome. I want to live."
Review of H.M. Pulham, Esq.
