Can never get enough of Myrna Loy, who was always a delight and her pairing with William Powell in particular was a classic one. It was not hard to see why they were paired so often, just to say this is just a general context point to say what work of Loy was particularly notable to me and not saying that they star together (which they don't). Have also liked what has been seen of Melvyn Douglas, especially 'Hud', 'Ninotchka' and 'Mr Blandings Builds His Own House', more needs to be seen though.
If one has to compile a list of Loy's best films and a list of Douglas' best, 'Third Finger, Left Hand' is probably unlikely to be there on either list. It doesn't disgrace either of them though, the opposite particularly in the case of Loy, and it was interesting to see them together. As for 'Third Finger, Left Hand' as a film itself, it is worth seeing for namely curiosity and far from near-obscurity-worthy though would hesitate in calling it an essential.
Loy is the main reason to see 'Third Finger, Left Hand' and the best thing about it. She shows strong comic timing and enough charm to make her performance an endearing one. Douglas shows a very pleasing chemistry with her, showing that she can work very well with another leading man other than Powell, and brings the same qualities that Loy did to his performance.
Although the supporting cast vary more, Raymond Wahlburn is very amusing as is Bonita Granville. There are enough fun moments, it has enough of a light touch to not make it feel too heavy and some sweet charming ones without falling into schmaltz. It starts off very promisingly and is throughout nicely made visually, while there is some very witty dialogue in the first portion particularly and fun character interaction.
Did feel though that there were problems. Even though obvious from reading the basic plot outline that 'Third Finger, Left Hand' was not a film to be seen for its story, the story is as hokey as one can get and later on it felt forced for my taste. The script runs out of steam too early, the material feeling thin and some of the humour pretty childish at times.
Pacing was fine at first, but the tireder and thinner the material got the more it dragged. The drunk scene is quite tiresome and Lee Bowman is for my taste pretty bland here.
Summing up, not bad at all but could have been better. 6/10
If one has to compile a list of Loy's best films and a list of Douglas' best, 'Third Finger, Left Hand' is probably unlikely to be there on either list. It doesn't disgrace either of them though, the opposite particularly in the case of Loy, and it was interesting to see them together. As for 'Third Finger, Left Hand' as a film itself, it is worth seeing for namely curiosity and far from near-obscurity-worthy though would hesitate in calling it an essential.
Loy is the main reason to see 'Third Finger, Left Hand' and the best thing about it. She shows strong comic timing and enough charm to make her performance an endearing one. Douglas shows a very pleasing chemistry with her, showing that she can work very well with another leading man other than Powell, and brings the same qualities that Loy did to his performance.
Although the supporting cast vary more, Raymond Wahlburn is very amusing as is Bonita Granville. There are enough fun moments, it has enough of a light touch to not make it feel too heavy and some sweet charming ones without falling into schmaltz. It starts off very promisingly and is throughout nicely made visually, while there is some very witty dialogue in the first portion particularly and fun character interaction.
Did feel though that there were problems. Even though obvious from reading the basic plot outline that 'Third Finger, Left Hand' was not a film to be seen for its story, the story is as hokey as one can get and later on it felt forced for my taste. The script runs out of steam too early, the material feeling thin and some of the humour pretty childish at times.
Pacing was fine at first, but the tireder and thinner the material got the more it dragged. The drunk scene is quite tiresome and Lee Bowman is for my taste pretty bland here.
Summing up, not bad at all but could have been better. 6/10