Mariage incognito

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.

I came across this movie on AMC a couple of weeks ago, and had never seen it before. I am a fan of James Stewart, and was surprised to see him opposite Ginger Rogers......The two worked great together! This movie had some great lines and some very funny scenes. Willie Best, who plays the train cabin steward is very funny. Jimmy is a college professor who marry's a show girl. On his arrival home he has to get the nerve up to tell his parents about his marriage, especially his father. His father is the very staunch President of the University where Jimmy teaches, and is very hung up on appearances and the reputation of his name and family. The interaction between Ginger and Jimmy's old girl friend are quit good as is that of Jimmy's mom and Ginger. I would recommend this movie to anyone.

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.

a romantic comedy. maybe, a perfect one. because it has all expected ingredients. and, sure, the right actors . it is amusing and touching and courageous. and James Stewart gives his the best in a role who, at the first sigh, reminds many others. because it is so simple. a dysfunctional family, a seductive young woman, a secret and the glamour of Ginger Rogers. all as part of a so contemporary film, ironic, great and real lovely.