Vivacious Lady

It is no secret that my all-time favorite actor is Jimmy Stewart. Every Oscar season, I get an opportunity to catch up on some of his films I haven't seen. Today, Turner Classic Movies played Vivacious Lady. This two-time academy award nominee was a very fun film.

Ginger Rogers' upbeat and fun-loving leading lady is perfect opposite Stewart's shy, but stouthearted leading man. The two work amazing together. It is the epitome of the screwball comedic-romance popular in the 30' and 40's. I have never been a big fan of Ginger Rogers, but I love her in this.

If you can tear yourself away from whiz-bang special effects and poorly-written blockbusters featuring today's megastars... movies like these are worth a look. Not only are the actors much more interesting, but the writing is superior to the majority of films released today.

The picture focuses a ingenuous , mild-mannered teacher (James Stewart) , he goes N.Y.City and he meets a beautiful chorus girl (Ginger Rogers) from Broadway . But the problems are always cropping up when he must tell their marriage to the conservative parents (Charles Coburn , Belulah Bondi) and his former bride .

The picture displays screwball comedy , romance , jokes , giggles and lots of amusement . The film highlights are : the struggle between the fiancée and wife in public presence , a drunk Stewart explaining the lesson and the room family dancing in the face of Charles Coburn . However , being eventually hampered by racist stereotypes on the black people characterizations (the two black servants). James Stewart and Ginger Rogers are awesome , both of whom are top-notch comedy actors . Stewart is a phenomenal comedian as he proved in : ¨It's a wonderful life¨ , ¨Shop Around of corner¨ and ¨Philadelpia story¨ . Ginger Rogers is number one as the best dancer actress (though here she only carries out one dance) ; besides , being a riveting comedian and she won an Academy Award for her portrayal in ¨Kitty Foyle : Natural history of a woman¨ . The support cast is first range : Charles Coburn , James Ellison , Jack Carson and Belulah Bondi , this is one of five times that she portrayed James Stewart's mother . And Hattie McDaniel , she is a number of ways , superior to most of the white folks surrounding her , she was the first African-American to win an Oscar (Gone with the wind). The motion picture was magnificently directed by George Stevens who obtained two Oscars and directed excellent movies (Shane , Giant , Gunga Din , A place in the sun). The picture will appeal to sparkling romantic comedy enthusiasts and Stewart , Rogers fans .

This premise of this movie, remarkably spineless son can't tell his parent's he's married an oddly forgiving nightclub singer, is pretty absurd, but what the movie lacks in sense it makes up for in humor. It's a very likable movie with a typically engaging performance by Rogers and a typically amiable one by Stewart.

The funny thing about this movie is it accepts the family dynamics as just another wacky family, and by the standards of 1940s screwball comedies I suppose it is, but I couldn't help but think about how you could take the same family dynamic - dominating patriarch, a frail, timorous wife, two sons, one fearful and the other somewhat dissolute - and you've the makings of some grim stage drama by Arthur Miller or someone.

Well, that's the danger of getting older; when I was watching every old movie as a teenager I was oblivious to these contextual issues, but happily I am still able to enjoy a dopey comedy like this one.

This is a fun,enjoyable comedy starring two screen legends in their early prime.Ginger Rogers and James Stewart are fine in the leads,but are given a run for the money in the acting department by Charles Coburn and Beulah Bondi.As Stewart's parents they almost steal the show. James Ellison,who I've only seen in De Mille's "The Plainsman" (1936), is serviceable as the second-lead who loses the girl.There's one big highlight in this movie that stands out: The cat fight with Rogers and sparring partner Frances Mercer. It's a hilarious moment.George Stevens keeps the movie bright and funny. If you ever catch this little gem you won't be disappointed.

It's love at first sight for Peter (James Stewart) when he spots Francey (Ginger Rogers) in a dance hall in "Vivacious Lady," a 1938 comedy also starring Charles Coburn, Beulah Bondi and James Ellison. Stewart is a college professor, and the son of the university president. He's engaged to a drab young woman from a very good family. When he goes to a dance hall to get his cousin Keith (Ellison) so they make their train, he sees Ginger, whom his cousin is also attracted to. By the next day, Stewart and Rogers are married and on their way back to the college town to face the family.

However, facing the family isn't too easy. Peter's domineering father keeps ordering him around, his mother keeps getting faint from a weak heart whenever there's a conflict...and somehow, no one knows that Francey and Peter are married and think she's dating Keith. Then, in order to get her into the prom, they have to say she's a botany student. One of the best scenes occurs at the prom, when Francey and Peter's fiancé get into a horrific catfight outside of the dance just as Peter brings his father out in another attempt to announce he's married.

But the best scene takes place in the room Francey has rented. She has a temperamental Murphy bed, and Stewart does everything he can to bring it down - banging doors, drawers, stomping, hoping it will fall.

Stewart is delightful as a young man who has to decide on priorities, and Rogers is a great match for him. She is incredibly beautiful in this movie. Handsome James Ellison gives a wonderful performance as cousin Keith, and Coburn and Bondi are perfect as the parents.

A light movie, some great scenes, fantastic stars glowing with youth - you can't ask for more.