Tu m'appartiens

Remarkably obscure comedy considering it stars Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck at their peaks. Even if it doesn't measure up to The Lady Eve or The Mad Miss Manton this is still a cute little comedy. Starts out charmingly with Henry at his sheepish befuddled best and Missy her usual take charge dame. It does flounder around about in the middle with Fonda acting like a stupid buffoon but comes back together at the end. While the two leads can carry a picture both on their own and together without breaking a sweat fortunately they don't have to here. They are ably abetted by Edgar Buchanan's folksy reliability, Ralph Peters as trusty butler Joseph and the under appreciated Ruth Donnelly as Dr. Stanwyck's wryly observing nurse. Both leads are at the peak of their attractiveness as well with Barbara looking particular beautiful with loose flowing hair and a smart wardrobe. Difficult to find but worth checking out if you can.

I usually avoid writing such comments as "Why does this movie have such a low IMDB rating?!" but I'm going to break my own rule this one time. Why does this movie have such a low IMDB rating?! You Belong to Me is of the funniest films I've ever seen, period. Giving me the type of gut-busting, side-splitting laughter I rarely get from even the funniest of comedies. I was in howls of consistent laughter for 90 minutes; unlike The Lady Eve which I feel loses steam in its final third. I only watched You Belong to Me in order to become a Barbara Stanwyck-Henry Fonda completest and was expecting something mediocre based on all the negative IMDB reviews but I have to ask the question mankind has pondered since the beginning of time, "What is wrong with you people!? Do you even understand the basic essence of comedy?!!" Ok, back to planet Earth.

The movie plays out like a newspaper comedy; the setup of a husband neglecting his wife due to his obligations to his job except in this case the profession is a doctor and it's not the man, it's the woman. Peter Kirk (Fonda) acts like a spoiled child throughout the film who doesn't know any better yet he's always too loveable and innocent to ever come off as annoying. Likewise, many of his shenanigans and dialogue are very Homer Simpsons like ("Patient dies while doctor ski-ies"). He goes to extreme lengths to have Helen Hunt (not the modern day actress but the character played by Stanwyck) as his own with his increasingly humorous paranoia, and while considering Stanwyck's sexuality I can't blame the guy. The man really does look like he's in love with the woman which would come as no surprise as apparently, Fonda would tell his later wife he was still in love with Stanwyck. Peter Kirk has no purpose or ambition and doesn't contribute a whole lot to society, unlike his polar opposite wife; the more mature of the two to say the least. Even with this comically absurd pairing, I did at times feel somber for the couple.

I don't always say this with every romantic pairing I see however after watching all three movies they did together I do believe Stanwyck and Fonda could have been a regular film pairing up with there with the likes of Astaire & Rogers, Powell & Loy and Tracey & Hepburn. The chemistry they share is some of the best I've seen in old Hollywood stars; a match made in heaven if I've ever seen one.

BARBARA STANWYCK and HENRY FONDA give their all to this worthless little romantic comedy that gives the jealousy angle a workout, with millionaire Fonda becoming insanely jealous of his wife's contact with her male patients while he does virtually nothing for a living.

It's supposed to be hilarious but more often than not it hits a sour note. Fonda is not too likable as a magnificent dope and underplays his role with his usual combination of humility and straightforwardness. His role is so absurd you wish the writers had thought of a more realistic jealousy angle for most of the movie.

RUTH DONNELLY does nicely as a loyal friend, as does EDGAR BUCHANAN as the gardener who speaks words of wisdom. Too bad wisdom isn't more characteristic of the script.

Despite the floundering script, Stanwyck and Fonda make the whole thing look better than it actually is. They have good chemistry together and make the most of whatever humor there is.

A good word too for MELVILLE COOPER as the stuffy butler. But all of them are really wasting their time in this silly romantic comedy.

YOU BELONG TO ME (1941) is a example of the 'ScrewBall Comedy' which started in the mid 1930s and ended postwar (WWII). Some of these films maintained their status. Others have earned undeserved praise when originally were critical and box office flops. Like BRINGING UP BABY (1938) or MR. & MRS. SMITH (1941). Then there is this one which value just keeps sinking.

Why can be rooted in the screenplay/story. It strains credibility from the get go, betraying a superior cast. BARBARA STANWYCK is married to millionaire HENRY FONDA who is insanely jealous. He would be content to sit back with his million$ and love her, she wishes to maintain her profession as a Doctor. She wants him to become in what her eyes is a useful member of society. This conflict is supposed to amuse us. It cannot be salvaged by either the principals or the supporting cast.

The faults in this scenario can clearly be laid at the feet of DALTON TRUMBO. HENRY FONDAs' character is written in such broad strokes that any viewer has a instant dislike for him. BARBARA STANWYCK just has nothing to do but react to each idiotic situation of jealousy. TRUMBO must have been spending to much time outside the studio being a "useful idiot" then being on the job. COLUMBIA obviously did not get their moneys worth from him, maybe ROBERT RISKIN should taken over.

Man this was a painful watch. This one was almost as irritating as the original Out-of-Towners.

I can't say it enough, Peter Fonda can't do comedy. He is just dreadful in this. His character is so irritating and nauseating I just can't believe they let this one in theaters. As great as Barbara Stanwyck is she can't save this irritating mess. Know way in the world would a sane female/wife stay married to an over-jealous wreck like this character. I know this is suppose to be a romantic comedy but this one isn't even close to being credible.

Skip this one and be grateful that you did.