MovieChat Forums > Day-Time Wife (1939) Discussion > Great movie!

Great movie!

posted 15 years ago by TheDuchessofM
3 replies | jump to latest

A few people have given this movie bad reviews, but I disagree. In fact, I consider Day-time Wife to be a tighter, sleeker version of The Awful Truth. While TAT starred the great Irene Dunne and the equally great Cary Grant, and the ever-dopey Ralph Bellamy, and was manic and hilarious from beginning to end, the actual point of the plot was lost amongst the frolics of Cary and Irene. Here, the plot focuses on marital infidelity, and in a bold (for 1939) way that we probably would never see even today. RE: Tyrone Power's comedic timing--it was superb. The expressions both leads could have on their faces created more humor than even the dialogue! Get this movie for a really great and intelligent "comedy of remarriage."

[–] bh-boclraca 15 years ago

I also disagree about the bad reviews. I stumbled upon this underrated gem from 20th Century Fox in 1992 on AMC and waited a long time until last year to see it again, when it came out on DVD. I consider this movie an offshoot of several other comedies from 1939. Perhaps this movie was Fox's answer to Paramount's "Midnight" or MGM's "The Women". While DTW does not have the glossy budget of the others, it is an entertaining "white telephone" movie in its own right. I'm a fan of both Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell and also enjoy seeing Joan Davis and Binnie Barnes in typical comedy roles.
Thank you for mentioning "The Awful Truth", which I just ordered and will compare to DTW. If anyone knows of any other similar comedies/domestic farces from this period, please post them.

[–] Xcalat3 14 years ago

yeah I don't think its THAT bad

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] William222 13 years ago

I was quite surprised this script made it past the Production Code, given that Tyrone Power is never punished for his infidelity, as I thought the Code demanded. Granted it's made clear that he and his secretary have never gone "all the way," but he was nevertheless having an affair with her. I was sure that his wife's suspicions were going to turn out to be unfounded, which would have been much more typical of the period. The Hays Office must have been asleep at the switch.