While it is certainly not the best of the Loy-Powell pairings, this film is still a delight to watch. The characters they portray are contrasts. Loy is the uptight heroine who schedules everything in advance and wants to be in control of everything, including her sister. Powell is the amiable bohemian everyone adores because he enjoys life and hasn't a care in the world. The two are introduced and the comedy of opposites attract ensues.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Next Time We Love
(1936)
Diverged careers strain a marriage
4 November 2018
Stewart's first breakout role. The magnetism between Sullavan and Stewart is undeniable in this sophisticated story about a couple whose careers don't quite mesh. Their divergent careers inevitably causes their marriage to be a rocky one with many ups and downs. The plot, although a progressive one ahead of its time, is not an appealing one. I wanted to like this movie, but the plot kept me from it. It fell flat and seemed rushed.
Along Came Jones
(1945)
Entertaining Western satire
3 November 2018
Fun western spoof with a great cast-Gary Cooper, Loretta Young, and William Demerest. Demerest steals the show with his comedic timing. The plot is a bit contrived, but it's still every bit worth watching. The actors carry this film.
Because of You
(1952)
Silly fluff
3 November 2018
The film is nothing but fluff--not even enjoyable fluff. I watched this film because I'm a fan of Loretta Young. It's a bit of a soap-opera and the plot is so unbelievable it's laughable. I found myself laughing at how silly the story was because it didn't make much sense. I found Chandler's character to be a bit annoying. He was always butt-hurt at something Young's character did or didn't do. What a cry baby!
I Take This Woman
(1931)
Only diehard Cooper and Lombard fans should watch
3 November 2018
Because of the two leads, I had to watch this film. Boy was I disappointed. Many awkward silences in this early talkie. Had this been made a decade later with both leads, I imagine it would have been better made since both made better films later in their careers.
Laugh, Clown, Laugh
(1928)
Great Acting, Creepy Plot
3 November 2018
I'm a fan of both Lon Chaney and Loretta Young so the film was a must-see. Chaney is the show stealer in this. Young shows early on, however, she has talent with her subtle expressions and expressive eyes. She is sadly underrated. The plot is a bit on the creepy side.
The Shopworn Angel
(1938)
Plot is disappointing
3 November 2018
While the Stewart-Sullivan pairing doesn't quite live up to the chemistry they have in The Shop Around the Corner, this earlier film shows they had it even then. It's their acting talent that keeps this film from being a major letdown. Walter Pidgeon is also good in his role, for what it is. It's the plot that stinks. The two leads have SO much chemistry that it makes Sullavan's character Daisy Heath's relationship with Pidgeon's Sam Bailey not so realistic. She was supposed to have realized she was still more in love with Sam than ever but it just doesn't quite come across. What does leap off the screen is the chemistry between Bill Pettigrew (played by Stewart) and Daisy Heath..so yes, it's a letdown that Heath is not supposed to be in love with Bill when the plot builds up to it.
San Francisco
(1936)
Superb acting
3 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Fans of Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable and Jeannette MacDonald will not be disappointed in this gem of a film. The stars and the supporting cast (Jessie Ralph!) turned in a superb performance. The highlight of this film is, of course, the earthquake and the fire, which occur toward the end of the movie. After the earthquake hits, Blackie Norton (played by Gable) transforms from the cynic who doesn't believe in love/faith to 'the sucker' who becomes a believer when disaster strikes and he cannot find Mary Blake (Jeannette MacDonald). It is during the chaos that follows the earthquake that Norton realizes for the first time what it means to truly love. Another highlight is Jeannette's singing. Her version of 'San Francisco' is absolutely the best. Tracy is superb as usual and Gable also turns in a fine performance, particularly towards the end where his character, Blackie Norton, has a change of heart. I love this film. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 of 10 is the plot. It runs nearly two hours but still seems short, as if it was hastily put together (possibly a Van Dyke trait since he was known to rush through films?). There are parts of it that could be more fleshed out than what it is, but still it's a good film.
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