Eles Beijaram a Noiva

One of Joan Crawford's better comedies. Comedy was not her strong suit and she didn't do many of them. This is a good one. Originally written for Carole Lombard before her death. Joan had big shoes to fill as Lombard was one of the screen's best comediennes. The story is about a no-nonsense owner of a trucking company (Crawford) who falls for a cocky reporter (Melvyn Douglas) out to bring her down. Douglas is good but I can't help but feel it's a part written for William Powell or Clark Gable in the '30s. Nice support from Roland Young, Allen Jenkins, and Billie Burke. Like I said, one of Joan's better comedies. She's very good. Terrible hair though.

I was so happy to see this lovely film again after first seeing it almost 60 years ago, it is a delightful comedy, remaining quite fresh even after all these years. It was particularly wonderful to see those great supporting actors who consistently made all those films so successful e.g. Roland Young and Alan Jenkins (the perennial side kick). It to me will remain a great joy and privilege to have been able to see this happy film once more.

They All Kissed the Bride (1942)

*** (out of 4)

Writer Michael Holmes (Melvyn Douglas) sets out to write a book on evil bosses and the poor workers who have to suffer under them. Michael sets his eyes on business woman Margaret Drew (Joan Crawford) who runs several companies surrounding truck drivers. As Michael begins to crack her business practices, the woman finds herself having feelings unlike ever before. THEY ALL KISSED THE BRIDE has sadly been forgotten over the years since it's been rather hard to see but the movie is certainly worth being re-discovered for a number of reasons. It's worth noting that this movie was originally meant for Carole Lombard but that star was killed shortly before the film went into production so Crawford asked to take over the role in respect. MGM let her go to rival Columbia for this picture and legend has it that the actress gave her salary to the Red Cross. Back to the film, it's certainly a very entertaining little gem that is pretty silly but at the same time the cast just makes it so much fun. Crawford was extremely good in the type of role that clearly wasn't written for her. I thought she did a good job with the "tough" boss role but also during the comedy bits when they'd come along. There's a running gag dealing with her getting weak at the knees and she makes this very funny. Douglas is also extremely good in his part and there's no question that the two stars do a fine job playing off one another. Allen Jenkins adds some good comedy as a truck driver and we also get nice turns by Billie Burke and Roland Young. The film actually has quite a few funny scenes but the most memorable is one where Jenkins is drunk and just grabs Crawford and throws her onto the dance floor. The high speed that they're dancing is quite impressive but more so is the fact that Crawford keeps a straight face throughout the whole thing.

Though They All Kissed The Bride dated a bit with the outbreak of World War II, it still holds up well today. Joan Crawford did a very fine job stepping in for Carole Lombard as the trucking company CEO who gets brought down romantically by the charming Melvyn Douglas.

It's easy to see why Harry Cohn wanted Douglas in the part, the film is a domestic version of Ninotchka. Douglas is a crusading reporter writing an article about the abuses in a trucking company where they seem not to have heard of the Wagner Act. Joan Crawford is the daughter of the firm's founder who steps in to run the place after dad's demise.

Don't let her sex fool you, she's all business until she meets up with Melvyn Douglas. In fairness to her, Crawford is stepping up to the plate with an apparently scatterbrained Billie Burke for a mother and a princess débutante in Helen Parrish as a sister not capable of doing much of anything.

In an eerie parallel in real life, after her fourth husband Alfred Steele from Pepsi Cola died, Crawford went into the business world with a vengeance and her years in Hollywood turned out to be a training ground for that new field of endeavor.

Best moment is Crawford and Allen Jenkins winning a jitterbug contest when she goes to the company banquet incognito.

Though I can see this film would have suited Carole Lombard better, Joan Crawford does just fine in this bright comedy.

I found this film to be very enjoyable and it is hilarious to see Joan Crawford do that jitterbug dance number. Very rare that we get to see her in that situation.

Be sure and catch this the next time it is on television.