Suddenly It's Spring

Films about divorcing people are a tough sell. While there have been some very good films with this as a topic (such as MY FAVORITE WIFE and THE AWFUL TRUTH), this is a very tough sell as there normally isn't anything funny or romantic about divorce.

When the film begins, Mary Morely (Paulette Goddard) arrives home from her stint in the WACs following WWII. Her husband, Peter (Fred MacMurray) wants to meet her to sign their divorce papers. After all, when she entered the Army several years earlier, she'd asked for a divorce and in the interim, Peter fell for Gloria. However, now that Mary has returned, she's reluctant to sign those papers, so she plans on delaying as long as possible and hopes to win him back in the process. After a while, Peter is tired of trying nicely and resorts to deliberately being the most boorish jerk possible. Mary responds by telling him that this is a big turn on! And finally, Pater's 'friend', Jack (Macdonald Carey), works behind Peter's back to try to help him get the divorce...mostly because he wants Mary for himself.

So, how is this film? It's only fair--mostly for two big reasons. First, why they had Fred MacMurray change back and forth into the boorish and loud character, I have no idea...he WAS boorish and loud. Second, the other films I mentioned were simply much better. Better, more subtle and more clever. Now I am not saying this film is bad...but it felt a bit forced at times and is more of a time- passer as opposed to a timeless classic.

MacMurray and Goddard. Two giants of Hollywood in a "comedy" (?). Husband and wife are returning home from war WW II, but all is not well. She (Paulette Goddard as Mary Morely) and Fred MacMurray as Peter, had plans to get divorced, but the war intervened. Now that they have come home, everything is topsy turvy. This was filmed in 1947, so the actual war had already been over for two years. Arleen Whelan is "Gloria", who is Peter's new love interest, and when the women meet, the battle is on. All of a sudden, they both want Peter. This moves along at medium speed. While this WAS probably a very common situation for those returning from war duty, it feels a little shallow now, and they didn't really use the talents of both Goddard and MacMurray. Anyone could have filled these roles and done a fine job. There isn't a whole lot of spark or magic between the cast here. Also, it seems a little late to be discussing the issues of returning spouses. Everyone does a great job, but because the subject is divorce, there's bound to be some hostility. Directed by Mitchell Leisen, who had been nominated for an Oscar waaay back in 1930. Story by P. J. Wolfson, who had written a ton of stuff in the 1930s and 1940s for Paramount. A respectable way to spend an 90 minutes. There is a buzzing in the last 10 minutes, but I guess we're lucky to still have this film around at all.

Paulette Goddard and Fred MacMurray star as a divorcing couple separated by war. Their divorce, like everything else, is put on hold. She finally returns and Fred is there to meet her and get papers signed, but his girl friend (Arleen Whelan) lurks in the background. And Paulette has in mind a second attempt to save the marriage. Enter Fred's client and friend (Macdonald Carey) who takes an interest in Paulette.

What ensues is a merry chase as Fred and Paulette can't make up their minds whether to proceed with the divorce or try again. Whelan and Carey go along poking and prodding the situation to their own advantages.

Comic highlights include the girls' first meeting in a nightclub where Paulette is stuck wearing an out-of-style and hideous plaid dress (she's still in the Army)while Whelan enters draped in jewels and fur, which flies as the girls dig into each other. Later, Fred shows off his comic chops when he decides that his impression of a cigar-smoking goon will turn off Paulette.

The stars are in top form here and save a so-so comedy with their charm and comic skills. Co-stars include Frank Faylen, Willie Best, Lillian Fontaine, Victoria Horne, Georgia Backus, and Frances Robinson.

The most curious thing about Suddenly It's Spring that I found was the fact that Fred MacMurray stayed at home and it was his on screen wife Paulette Goddard who went off to war. In real life MacMurray was both a legitimate 4F and he was the sole support of his wife and two children. He was 33 when Pearl Harbor occurred. How his on screen character managed to stay out the film doesn't tell us.

But when Paulette Goddard joins the Women's Army Corps she becomes something of a celebrity as an informal marriage counselor to separated spouses because of the war. But while she's in the service Fred's met and fallen for Arleen Whelan and as soon as Paulette will sign the papers they can get a quiet divorce.

The MacMurray/Goddard marriage is down but hardly out. She's got a few tricks up her sleeve as she slowly makes Fred reconsider divorce. I guess I can't and shouldn't tell you how it works out.

Fred MacMurray already left Paramount when his friend and favorite director Mitchell Leisen called him back had the studio sign him for this additional film. It was worth it as the script by writer/producer Claude Binyon was written with him in mind.

Fred's best moments is when he steps out of character to become a cigar smoking lout on two occasions. Won't say what they were, but it becomes part of his plan.

Getting some of the best lines in the film is Macdonald Carey who plays client and friend of MacMurray. Carey's an old rebound man and if Goddard is cut loose he'll make sure he's around at the strategic moment.

Although MacMurray was a veteran comedy master becoming one during his years at Paramount this comeback film rates right up there with those he made as a contract player. He and Goddard worked very well together and Suddenly It's Spring is a delight.

Paulette Goddard (Mary) returns home at the end of WW2 to find her husband Fred MacMurray (Peter) waiting for her to sign divorce papers. Goddard suggested the divorce but now she's not so keen and wants to hold on to Fred. He's not too keen, though, and has another woman - Arleen Whelan (Gloria). The film runs to its obvious conclusion with not many laughs despite being a comedy.

You can afford to fall asleep during this one - I did three times. It's just not funny and the story has no momentum. It is also not very interesting and very unrealistic. There is one standout scene when the two women trade insults at a nightclub/restaurant venue. That is pretty funny. Outside of that, I'm afraid it's a bit of a struggle to keep interested.