Third Finger, Left Hand

Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas sparkle in this lightweight romantic comedy. Obviously, the ring on the third finger of the left hand means a gal is married. Myrna Loy is not married, she is an editor who is a 'career gal' at an influential New York-based fashion magazine. But she claims to be married, and her husband is always 'away' and no one has met him. She has increasing difficulty maintaining this fiction, however. Melvyn Douglas discovers the truth and impersonates the non-existent husband, to amusing and sometimes hilarious effect. Well, you can guess the rest. Fun to watch because of Loy and Douglas, though not a masterpiece by any means.

"Third Finger, Left Hand" is an outstanding comedy film that stars Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas with an excellent supporting cast. Everyone gets in on the humor. Most notable about this comedy is its original and novel plot of a career-seeking woman faking that she is married. The whole idea is to keep suitors away so that she can establish herself and be a success in the business world as the publisher of a woman's magazine.

Loy's Margot Sherwood says she's married to a guy named Tony Merrick. He's a globe-trotting character in some business that we never learn about. Margot met him in Rio de Janeiro where she went for a vacation a year ago. She fell for him in one night and they got married. So, when she came back to New York with a ring on the third finger of her left hand, the wolves stayed away. Only a couple of amorous characters continue to pursue her. They think she should divorce her uncaring husband who stays away. But her ploy at least keeps the boss away, Mr. Russell. And, Margot becomes friends with the boss's wife, instead of another ex-female manager of her husband's magazine. Previous female managers lasted no longer than a few months because of Mr. Russell's attention.

Meanwhile, arriving in New York by ship from Europe, is globe-trotting artist Jeff Thompson, played by Douglas. The meeting of the two lead characters aboard ship begins a hilarious love triangle that involves the third lead, Lee Bowman, as Philip Booth. And, that anchors this comedy that moves between riotously funny scenarios, to hilariously corny and funny scenes.

The original plot has a first-rate screenplay that is filled with witty dialog and funny exchanges. The film has a wonderful cast of well-known and supporting actors. Felix Bressart is superbly funny as August "Gussie" Winkel. Donald Meek, whose last name describes his physical build and usual character persona, is completely out of his familiar character. His Mr. Flandrin is a high-falutin art dealer who barks out orders and scowls at anyone who gets in his way. Bonita Granville is very funny as the teenage sister of Margot, Vicky Sherwood. And, Raymond Walburn's smile alone invites smiles, as he plays Margot's father, Mr. Sherwood. And, there are more.

One can imagine how this will turn out - as do most comedy romances. But, in getting to that point, this film has some different angles and twists that make it quite original. And, it's that originality - with these actors - that makes the film so funny.

A very humorous thread runs through much of the film. It has to do with the State of Ohio - especially its name. Jeff is from Wapakoneta, Ohio, and he likes his home state very much. He's looking forward to returning home to resume his painting career. After traveling around the world and bringing back a large portfolio of professional paintings to sell in New York, he is anxious to return to the sanity of Ohio. He doesn't want to spend more than one night in the cockeyed big city.

The thread that gets repeated several times is an old song about Ohio. The chorus reads, "What's round on the ends and high in the middle? It's o-HI-o." He hums and sings a couple of lines at different times. The railroad porter sings the song, and by the end of the movie, Margot is humming it.

In one scene toward the end, some hometown folks recognize Jeff. When they strike up a conversation, Margot elbows her way between Jeff and a reverend. She butts into the conversation with a street lingo that leaves one in stitches. Loy is superb at this and it reminds one of a similar scenario carried out by Irene Dunne in "The Awful Truth."

Well into the 21st century, "Third Finger, Left Hand" stands the test of time well. It's a very funny story that people of all ages should enjoy. It's truly one of the great comedies at the close of Hollywood's golden era.

Here are some favorite lines. See the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the film for many more laughs.

Jeff Thompson, "Tell the folks your idea for doing my den, angel." Margot Sherwood Merrick, "Well, uh, I want to do it very simply. Uh, just a short flight of steps and a gallows. That's the theme. It's going to be very modernistic." Jeff, "She has the most unconventional ideas."

Mr. Sherwood, as the last dinner guest leaves, "Such a lively woman." Jeff Thompson, "Yeah. So interested in other people's lives." Margo Merrick, "And with nine of her own to live."

Jeff Thompson, "When you do get married, you certainly won't need any practice hen-pecking." Margot Merrick, "I'm not hen-pecking." Jeff, "Listen, my Aunt Edith killed my Uncle John hen-pecking. I oughtta know a hen-pecker when I hear one."

Mr. Flandrin, "Young woman, I can be just as unethical as you can."

Jeff Thompson, "Yes sir, you certainly put that over. You know, to look at your face, nobody'd ever think you were such a good liar."

Margot Sherwood Merrick, "Whadda ya think we're doin' in Niagara Falls - huntin' woims?"

While this comedy is about the romantic complications facing a woman executive and the artist who loves her, "Third Finger, Left Hand" provides a rarely seen dignified Black role. When first we see Sam (portrayed by veteran African American actor, Ernest Whitman) he is a train porter speaking in an 'uneducated' manner - employing the type of language structure used by script writers of the time to reinforce negative racial stereotypes. Later, however, a Sam is revealed to have taken college correspondence courses for years and to be someone quite knowledgeable in matters of Law: able to quote court rulings and present effective legal arguments on behalf of his client, the artist. Ultimately, Sam is the hero of "Third Finger, Left Hand", making it possible for the protagonists' love to triumph.

I watched this movie just the other night and found it refreshing and yet sweet. I was also amazed how much this movie reflects a lot of problems that some women in positions of authority have with the stigma of not being married. Besides that I will say that the modern romantic comedies borrow greatly from movies such as this yet even though I have seen many romantic comedies I found this movie fresh and almost new probably due to fact that the cliques nowadays evolved from this movie. I will also admit I love Myrna Loy and with a certain degree of bias I enjoy all her movies and love her mere presence in the movie and I was caught unaware of her improvising skill when she did her Brooklyn accent. I found Mervyn Douglas a good match though had a feeling that the character written may have been for William Powell. I found it quick and enjoyable and this is why classics always bring a smile to my face.

Myrna Loy wears a wedding ring on her "Third Finger, Left Hand" in this 1940 comedy, but she's not married. As Margot, the editor of a popular womens magazine, she tells everyone she's married to a guy named Tony. Why? Because every other woman who's had the job has lost it because of the publisher's wife. He's got a roving eye. Meanwhile, Philip Booth (Lee Bowman) wants to marry her, but she just can't seem to find Tony to get a divorce.

Then Margot meets Jeff Thompson (Melvyn Douglas), an artist who figures out that there's no Tony. So he shows up at her house and announces that he is Tony. Now she's in a pickle, and she can't divorce him without marrying him first.

This is a cute comedy, nothing special, with good acting by the always reliable Loy and Douglas. As he sailed through all these supporting roles, Douglas was hiding a serious, incredible dramatic talent. Fortunately, once he was older and there was no studio to cast him as the other man, he was able to show it.

One interesting thing about this film is the role of the train porter Sam, played by Ernest Whitman, who is pulled into service by Jeff to delay the settlement negotiations en route to Reno. Sam is your typical train porter of those days until he tells Jeff that he's taken law correspondence courses. He then recites law to Philip and Margot and delays the divorce. Very unusual for those days, as is the wonderful character of Oliver Cromwell Jones in "Crash Dive" who is one of the soldiers on the submarine. These good roles for African Americans were few and far between back then.