Always Goodbye

Barbara Stanwyck stars in this what was termed back in the day, a woman's picture. Always Goodbye is a remake of Ann Harding's Gallant Lady and it has Stanwyck giving up her infant son for adoption rather than trying to raise him as a single parent. That was simply not done back in the day of The Code.

Herbert Marshall arranges the adoption of the infant to his friend Ian Hunter and wife who have been childless for years. Marshall saved Stanwyck from doing herself in. He even arranges for her to get a job in the fashion industry working for Binnie Barnes. As you can imagine the latest in Thirties fashion is worn here. If this were done over at MGM Joan Crawford would have had this part for sure.

While on a buying trip to Paris, Barbara makes the acquaintance of Cesar Romero who provides a lot of the comedy in this film. He also gets a chance to show off his dancing ability which is considerable. Before films Romero was a dance instructor. She also runs into little Johnny Russell who turns out to be her son.

I think you can see where this is going and I will say while it's not the greatest of Stanwyck films it is certainly nicely done. Barbara's best scenes in the film are with little Master Russell. She doesn't let the kid steal them from her either.

In the end STanwyck has to make some critical choices. And finds out that you cannot always have your own way all the time.

It's a touching tale that begins with a tragedy and the harsh realities of life in which Margo, played by Barbara Stanwyck, has to give up her child. Life goes on and she finds fulfilment in a career and a new love but there are some unexpected twists and turns ahead for her.

I'm so pleased to discover this movie; didn't know about it until today and it's a real treat to follow the careers of these stars. Ian Hunter was just out of his King Richard role in "The Adventures of Robin Hood," and shortly to make "The Sisters" and "The Little Princess." For a change he's been given a more prominent part to play here, which is nice as I considered him quite a good actor not given enough opportunities to 'shine' in dramatic roles.

One sees a younger Herbert Marshall before several great roles in the years ahead, always with that fine sounding, quality voice so memorable in many films, particularly in "The Razor's Edge." A very young Cesar Romero is amusing as the Count (not sure if he really is one though) and never hesitates to charm any woman within two feet of him! It keeps him rather busy, flitting from flower to flower, but such are his ways. He also has a chance to demonstrate his beautiful dancing skills as he was a professional early on in his career. Ms Stanwyck never seems to change much over the years in her beauty and acting talent.

This is a very human drama that time does not alter. I'd like to buy the video one day if ever it's available.

A remake of the 1933 film Gallant Lady, directed by Gregory La Cava, starring Ann Harding and Clive Brook. Somebody must have thought that the work needed an upgrade, with bigger stars, such as Barbara Stanwick and Herbert Marshall. Directed by Sidney Lanfield, this new version has everything to be a success: a good cast, a trip to Paris, the glamour of American and Parisian fashion. But it continues to be a melodrama about maternal love and how a mother sacrifices everything to be with her child.

It is curious to see Barbara Stanwick, an actress who has forever been associated with femme fatale and male manipulator roles, playing a loving mother, fighting for her son's love.

Too melodramatic for my taste, it can nevertheless be enjoyed by many, for precisely the same reasons.

The thirties were a good time for melodrama,par excellence the female movie.In almost all the great melodramas of the era "Imitation of life" and " Only Yesterday" by Stahl or "Mannequin" by Borzage ,the woman realizes she's through with love and she becomes generally a brilliant business woman,be it in the pancakes ,the stock exchange or the chic fashion for selfish ladies who do not think twice when it comes to sending their soon-to-be adoptive child to a military school.

Routine situation in melodrama:Stanwyck's fiancé got run over and she is pregnant by him.In those ancient times,the only solution was to find a family where the child would be fine .But some fine day ,in old France,the mother meets again his little boy.Barbara Stanwyck gives a fine sensitive (and a bit mischievous:the way she gets rid of Jessica is delightful)portrayal .In the end, somehow or other, woman must be prepared to sacrifice something.That's the golden rule of melodrama.

Like this?try these

"The old maid " Edmund Goulding 1939

"To each his own" Mitchell Leisen 1946

In Always Goodbye we see Stanwyck create a character that is softer than the more hard-bitten characters she will later become best known for, and she does a great job and is thoroughly enjoyable here. Unfortunately, the film and script (which may have even been dated back in 1938) doesn't hold up nearly as well. It seemed to go on for much longer than it's tidy 75 minutes run time would suggest. Cesar Romero plays a character that brings some pleasant levity to the proceedings but at the same time one can't help but feel that he lays it on just a little too thick. The rest of the supporting cast is fine but mostly forgettable.