One Rainy Afternoon

When a European setting was considered necessary for a "sophisticated" romantic comedy and a "prestige" production, "One Rainy Night" delivered not only the setting, but also the European screenwriters and even the European lead -- Francis Lederer doing a passable Maurice Chevalier-like singing turn. The main plot is a trifle, as is appropriate for romantic comedy. Lederer plays a stage actor who accidentally kisses a stranger (Ida Lupino) in a darkened movie theater, when he thought he was kissing his married lover (billed as Countess Liev de Maigret). Lederer is prosecuted as a masher at the insistence of a public morality committee. At trial, he can't tell the true reason he kissed Lupino, so he says he was overcome by her beauty; the trial makes him a popular celebrity and his stage play a hit, and it starts a romance between Lederer and Lupino.

Lederer is a charming romantic lead and Lupino is radiant in an uncharacteristic early role as a sweet, innocent girl. Unfortunately, they have little chemistry between them, which is the weak point of the movie. But the supporting cast, including the always reliable Roland Young, Hugh Herbert, Donald Meek, Eric Rhodes, and Mischa Auer playing their usual characters, are all given either extended scenes or bits of business that keep the movie light, sparkling, and enjoyable. And Rowland Lee's direction is up to his usual high standard.

It's a darkened theatre where Phillipe leans over to kiss his philandering girlfriend Yvonne. But it's not her he mistakenly kisses; instead, it's an uptight young Monique who's instantly insulted and causes a commotion. From there events spiral away in Hollywood fashion, such that Phillipe may lose his acting job, go to jail, and get a "monster" reputation. Talk about a mountain out of a molehill: it's that in spades. Good thing for Phillipe that Monique eventually takes a shine to the handsome actor.

It's a hard movie to rate, since it mixes so much cuteness with so much silliness. Too bad comic actor Herbert does his silliness bit in about every scene. It's like pouring sugary gravy on more flavorful soup. Still, lead actor Lederer as Phillipe manages an upbeat charm; at the same time, a youthful Lupino gets a dewy-eyed ingenue role as Monique, a long way from a hardened Road House (1948). And get a load of Eidy Malyon, President of the Purity League, who may make you rethink the notion of kindly old ladies that amounts to the movie's masterstroke. Also, Roland Young gets an amusing role as a theatre owner driven to frazzle. And I especially like that courtroom sequence where the Judge, Donald Meek, slowly comes unglued

Anyway, the comedy's a difficult mix of the silly and the cute. Nonetheless, you may find the 81-minutes a worthwhile gamble.

Middle thirties studio fodder that would be completely forgotten if it didn't have Ida Lupino in one of the star parts. She's very young although starting to move away from the English Jean Harlow mold the studio tried forcing her into when she first arrived. Her voice is still high and light not having yet acquired the smoky whiskey tinge that was to come within a few years. Some fun is provided by two members of the supporting cast, the always reliable Roland Young and the buffoonish Hugh Herbert plus Ida and the forgotten Francis Lederer make an attractive couple but this is a minor romantic comedy nothing more.

This is a fun romantic comedy which relies upon Ida Lupina's face expressions to do much communication. This is an under rated enjoyable movie w lots of laughs. Ida is terrific.

This was wonderfully enjoyable! Men probably disagree since it is most definitely Woman's Movie!! The leading man is almost too handsome and then he smiles!! Wow! Plus, Ida Lupino is so young & gorgeous! I doubt the film maker was hoping for an Oscar but an offering of romance and comedy!! Why not!! It's perfect in that category!!