My girfriend loves that Jean Arthur is given a choice between Ronald Colman and Cary Grant (which back in the 30's and 40's must have been a major female fantasy). She (my girlfriend) said she would have gone for Colman.
Other female opinions?
cinefreak
I'm a sucker for Grant, even if he is a fugitive!!!
shareI love Cary Grant too but I don't like his character in this movie, he seems too stubborn. But come to think about it, Colman's character is also super stubborn in the beginning too. So I guess my choice would still be CARY GRANT!
This is the most fun I've had without lubricant
I love Cary Grant, but I think I would have picked Colman. I wish Jean had gotten together with him, because just once I'd like to see Cary Grant not get the girl. Just once.
I never did it either. I'm not a nymphomaniac, I'm a compulsive liar.
Most definetly Colman!!
"If a man isn't inspired by his own death, he's beyond inspiration."
Definitely Cary Grant!!!
I would lock him, er I mean HIDE him in my attic any day!!! heh heh
can't we opt for the ridiculously optimistic noel coward option? both?
shareI was actually thinking this when watching the film. I am glad someone else thought of it. But I guess that wouldn't go in 1942. :)
But if I had to choose I actually think Jean Arthur had more chemistry with Colman so I would have chosen him for her (even though in general I am a huge Cary Grant fan). I guess you can't go wrong with either though.
He didn't get the girl in Gunga Din, lol. I heard that he and (was it Fairbanks or McLaglen) even flipped a coin for it and he lost.
shareI think that's why I love Holiday Inn so much.... much as I love Fred Astaire, Bing actually ends up with the girl.
But I would HAVE to choose Cary.... I mean, c'mon, he's Cary Grant!
Definitely Coleman for me. She would have had quite a life with a Supreme Court Justice!
shareCary, Cary, Cary.
Did he train you? Did he rehearse you? Did he tell you *exactly* what to do, what to say?!
quite interesting to see the split between coleman and grant. i heard 2 versions of the ending were shot- jean arthur chooses coleman in one version but in the other version she is with grant. when they tested the endings with audiences the majority chose jean arthur to be with grant. would be quite interesting to see the alternate ending tho!
cheers.
I have watched this movie more than half a dozen time, Each time I try to figure out who I would choose. Then I try to figure out who Jean Arthur would choose.
I would always pick Cary Grant. In the movie though I think Jean Arthur would end up with Ronald Coleman. I say this because it always feels wrong at the end when Jean goes off with Grant. They still make a nice couple though.
I would love to see them live in triangular harmony in that beautiful cottage, for the rest of their lives.
"Don't worry. I'm not on the side of the saints yet."
Funny thread. I always have the same reaction at the end of this film no matter how many times I see it. When she is in the courtroom I think, oh poor Leopold, then when she leaves with him I have a moment of sympathy for Colman and then justify it with, supreme court justices should be single. I think this is a reflection of how well done the movie is. Both Grant and Colman had such great screen presence, two of the best. I guess I would have to come down on edward-miller-1's side for "triangular harmony". At least during breaks from the supreme court.
shareColeman. I just finished the movie and I feel a bit cheated because Lightcap was the better man. Honestly, the only reason Dilg got the girl was because he was played by Cary Grant, and there's this persistent, wrong-headed fantasy that women always want the bad boy. Dilg was too abrasive and independent for Nora; I have the feeling that he'll always buck against the system to the point where it causes trouble at home with Nora. With Lightcap, Nora would have blossomed not only as a person, but as a woman. The fact that she switched from wanting to get out of their small town to feeling overwhelmed by Washington and wanting to go back was given the short shrift makes me feel manipulated into believing in Leopold/Nora.
shareWhat a delicious question. I'd say the Senate would confirm Ronald Colman to my personal Supreme Court, unanimously.
Ugh! I hate that she had to choose. It would not be my fantasy -- they are both so perfect for her. I think I feel more sorry for Colman though than I would if Grant had not won her -- I think Grant would have easily recovered and found another girl: Colman probably wouldn't. So, I guess I would prefer to see her with Colman.
"She is tolerable I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me!" Mr. Darcy
I just haven't seen enough of Colman to even put him in the same league as Grant! Though he was very good looking with that beard in the movie...without it though....ugh! XD
Definately Grant!
Currently obsessed with: Burn After Reading
Colman for sure. Ronald Colman is the only man in the world I would prefer to Cary Grant! Tough choice, but ah, Ronnie's voice!
shareI love, love, love Cary Grant, but I think in this case, I would choose Ronald Colman. That voice! Imagine getting to hear that voice day in and day out.
share[deleted]
While Cary Grant was probably the choice back then because of his popularity I think in this movie Ronald Colman would have been the better choice for Jean Arthur. I think he was distinguished, sensitive, but more intellectually challenging for her and of course a gorgeous hot potato! While Grant (cute, funny and bumbling) is a little distant in his feelings. But the movie was such a treat! If this girl was as lucky as Jean....hmmmmm.
shareCary! Colman's character is a prima donna. He's full of himself. He barks too many orders. Jean Arthur serves him breakfast and he says, "get out of my pajamas." She should have shared the breakfast with Cary.
Besides, she could have Cary until he gets caught and then wind up with Ronald. Hopefully, she could teach him some manner.
"Who put the pineapple juice in my pineapple juice?"
Besides, she could have Cary until he gets caught and then wind up with Ronald. Hopefully, she could teach him some manner.
A very pragmatic solution!
cinefreak