Her Cardboard Lover

Someone posted the comment that this film is "forgettable" and "triffling." But I saw Norma Shearer and Robert Taylor playing off each other with such spontaneity that I could only admire their talents all the more. Also, compare their rare comedic talents together in this film, along with their deep and tragic mutual acting in "Escape." Such a pair of talent-generating stars!

Norma Shearer, in her last film, is a wealthy woman desperate to stay away from her on-again/off-again boyfriend (George Sanders) in "Her Cardboard Lover.

To do this, she has Robert Taylor, a songwriter who's crazy about her, work off his gambling debt by pretending to be her boyfriend.

A nice dramatic role would have been better for Shearer's final performance. But like Garbo, she went out with a comedy, and one that bombed at that, also like Garbo.

One wonders what MGM was thinking. The dilemma seems to have been finding vehicles for these older stars as the world - and they - were changing.

The film was made in 1942, and though it is a delightful comedy, it really has the look and feel of the '30s to it. There are some wonderful scenes - one where Taylor threatens to jump over a balcony and a dandy fight scene at the end. But in spots, it seems a little tired.

Norma Shearer wears gorgeous clothes and is over-dramatic, which is what the part called for. Robert Taylor does a fine job, and George Sanders was wasted.

One of the comments said that Shearer was too old for the role - yet the actors seem properly matched and this writer, anyway, had no idea of Shearer's age.

In the end, though, it wasn't a fitting way for her to go out. The role hearkens back to a much earlier time. Perhaps, in the end, that's what she wanted.

Why does George Sanders always play the cad? I think he's very sexy, and this was the perfect role for him. Too bad Sanders was always cast as the cad/rival. I would like to have seen him as a romantic lead more often. Anyway Sanders and Shearer are delightful and very watchable in this film. They're both extremely talented actors, and the chemistry was believable. Shearer wasn't at her best, and didn't have much of a script to work with, but she proves she's one of the great movie stars - you simply cannot take your eyes off her. However, Taylor stole the show with his brilliant comedic expression and timing. He's a marvelous actor and used those eyebrows to their full potential in "Her Cardboard Lover". This is a very cute romantic romp of a film with some truly funny scenes.

I don't know what all the fuss is about. Most of the criticism directed at this film is fairly unjust. After reading some reviews, I was hesitant at watching the film, but because it starred Robert Taylor, Norma Shearer and George Sanders, I thought I would give it a shot. I'm glad I did. It didn't make me turn off the TV set or change channels. The acting was excellent and the story was played out quite amusingly by the main cast. I believe the cast held up the film well. I have no problems with Shearer's age. After all, it's just a comedy. Jean Arthur was in her 50s when she was in Shane and 10 years older than Van Heflin too and no one criticized her. See and judge for yourself and never listen to critics. They don't know what they are saying half the time. We all have different tastes.

This is the second attempt to bring Jacques Deval's play to the screen. The first one was a vehicle for Marion Davies and Nils Asther, directed by Robert Z. Leonard. This new version bears George Cukor's signature as the director. The film is interesting for two reasons: it marked the last time its star, Norma Shearer, appeared on a film, and it also has Robert Taylor doing comedy, something he wasn't seen in often.

"Her Cardboard Lover" is a sophisticated comedy that capitalizes on the strength of its stars. The screen play by Valerie Wyngate has some ups and downs in it that even the great Cukor wasn't able to solve. First, there is a marked age difference between the stars, not because Ms. Shearer looks older, on the contrary, she is in excellent form, but Mr. Taylor appears to be much younger.

The film has some good moments for everyone. The best thing Mr. Cukor was able to do was to give the suave George Sanders the part of Tony Barling, the playboy who comes back to claim the love of Consuelo Croyden. They have parted in a bad way, but there's still something between the former lovers. By hiring Terry Trindale as the "fake" lover, in order to make Tony Barling jealous, a new dynamic enters into play.

There are two extraordinary sequences toward the end of the film. The first one is the fight between Tony and Terry in the hotel's pantry when dishes, vases, and all kinds of porcelain gets smashed against walls. The second one is in the court that is presided by judge Sam, brilliantly portrayed by Chill Wills. The acting is first rate by this marvelous cast. In minor roles Frank McHugh and Elizabeth Patterson shine.

The film is a light comedy that is a delight to watch.