How Did They Keep from Cracking Up?

I LOVED this movie! Somehow, what comes across is the great, easygoing camaraderie among the actors. There's so much natural acting and interaction that I think can happen only if the cast really like one another.

Isn't Leo (G.) Carroll great in this? When the very drunk Edward Arnold was being schlepped upstairs by Crawford with him helping, I felt as though he was doing everything to restrain himself to keep from laughing, as Arnold was just so natural and unforced as he stumbled along. I also like his subtle expressions in dealing with everyone in the household.

This is a terrific melodrama that doesn't milk it with sappy dialogue and music (the songs are great). Although the plot isn't that plausible (I suppose stranger things have happened), it was incredibly smooth with a surprise performance by the beautiful Esther Ralston and the natural charm of Gene Raymond. Franchot Tone was also great in an "aristocratic" but very human role.

Crawford was really wonderful--I can't remember her being more vulnerably appealing, not even in "Mildred Pierce," one of my all-time faves.

It seems that Clarence Brown directed other films that involved alcoholism as part of the plot. I guess he really understood the issue, as, as someone else on the board pointed out, it wasn't meant to be comic, but a serious illness.

BTW, I hate to admit it, but I'm not clear on who "Stooge" was. Maybe I should watch it again. Can anyone help me out in the meantime?

This movie's a real gem, and I wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for Watch TCM. So, thanks to TCM!