I enjoy this holiay film, although it's no classic. Stanwyck was
always terrific and she alone makes this film worth watching, although
the supporting actors are terrific. My main issue is there is
absolutely no chemistry between Morgan and Stanwyck. She looks like
his older sister or something. She's too no-nonsense and he's too
soft to me.
I agree that Stanwyck is always good, and the supporting actors are terrific. I disagree with several of your points though...CIC really IS a Christmas classic, and the chemistry between Stanwyck and Morgan is very good. Morgan's character isn't too soft - he plays a soldier on leave who just wants a good time, then falls for the slightly mysterious "married" woman. Stanwyck's character has never managed to find the right guy, including the man she impulsively agreed to marry, until Morgan's sailor comes along.
They got everything right in this film, I think, and there was just no good reason for a remake, much less two remakes!
Film critic Leonard Maltin: "Standard studio corn it may be, but
wonderful late-night viewing on Christmas Eve...Airy fluff." Two
and a half stars out of four.
That describes the film perfectly to me and again, it's a holiday fave,
but far from a great or classic film. The word "classic" is so overused
today - for old and new films - that it almost doesn't mean anything
anymore. As for Morgan and Stanwyck, we'll just have to agree to
disagree, as I feel he was better off with someone like Betty Grable.
He and Stanwyck don't jive to me. But, yes, I enjoy this film while
wrapping gifts or decorating the tree. But "Meet Me in St. Louis" or
"It's A Wonderful Life", it is not.
Meet me in st. louis? yuck
There are a lot of people who think i'm a flake.share
Who thinks that?
Me, for one.
"Meet Me in St. Louis? Yuck.
Wow. Your taste is really THAT low? "St. Louis" is an acknowledged film
classic, rereleased time and again with songs that are part of our
cultural fabric. It can be watched repeatedly anytime of year.
"Connecticut" is fun for hot chocolate and decorating the tree.
My feeling exactly.
shareI happen to like Meet Me in St. Louis. I think largly because I live about 30 miles west of St. Louis.
shareThe word "classic" is applied to something that has stood the test of time. In which case, this movie is definitely a classic, because it is still hugely popular. I love the chemistry between Stanwyck and Morgan. It may not rank up there with Meet Me in St Louis or It's a Wonderful Life, but it's a great movie and has become a must see for many people, myself included.
shareStanwyck was older by only one year but I also thought she looks like an older sister. I think she is perfect for this role but somehow I don't like her look in this movie. Next to Fonda in The Lady Eve, John Boles in Stella Dallas and Gary Cooper in Meet John Doe, Stanwyck looks great to me but next to Morgan, I have a problem. I can't explain it. Even her hair bothers me.
I'm not crazy about the scenes of Morgan and Stanwyck too much together just talking like that sleigh ride and the cow walk because he knows she's married and even if she knows she's not married, she's cozying up to a man who thinks she's married. I prefer if they're getting to know each other while Stanwyck is "muddling" through and improvising like the baby bath scene.
My favorite specific bit is the arrival of the second baby of the reverse gender. That caught me off guard. And then Yardley sees the baby. That's LMAO funny.
Yardley: Why, that's strange. He looks different this morning.
Elizabeth: Wouldn't you look different if you'd swallowed a watch.
Yardley: But he's a blonde, has teeth--
Baby: Mama, mama, mama.
Yardley: --and he talks.
Elizabeth: Mr. Yardley, this is no time to take inventory!
Billy Wilder Page, Play the Movie Smiley Game
www.screenwritingdialogue.com
First of all, Barbara Stanwyck's hair is atrocious in this film!! Whomever came up with that bizarre 'do' should have been shot! I'm still trying to figure out how they did it - it looks like the pulled the hair on top of her head back and then combed it back to the front again to effect these really lame and horrible looking bangs? It's distracting, it's so bad.
I loved the chemistry between she and Morgan. I got it right aweay - they played their first looks at each other scene wonderfully well, especially Barbara Stanwyck. I totally got it.
But, this is not a Christmas classic for all the ages. This will be a favorite for Barbara Stanwyck fans, mainly. This movie will not garner as many votes for Christmas favorites lists as some other more predictable films, though this film's fans will love it no less than the fans of any other films. It took me a couple of viewings to warm up to this film as, while I do like much of Barbara Stanwyck's work (definitely not all of it), this film did not bowl me over right away.
I'm not crazy about the scenes of Morgan and Stanwyck too much together just talking like that sleigh ride and the cow walk because he knows she's married and even if she knows she's not married, she's cozying up to a man who thinks she's married. I prefer if they're getting to know each other while Stanwyck is "muddling" through and improvising like the baby bath scene.
That is standard screwball comedy fare. It's for audiences adult enough to understand the genre and who can accept the lunacy as a way to create a humorous set up. By 1945 movie-goers who liked to laugh had seen hundreds of bizarre scenarios, had heard thousands of witty lines, and had never been offended by any of it because it was all in fun. If you were brought up on more realistic comedies you might not be able to get past the idea that these are screwball characters doing things that wouldn't go over well in many normal situations. While they looked pretty much the same as when they did serious movies, the actors played personalities who were often difficult, irresponsible, self-centered, and callous, but the trick was they made us laugh so we forgave them, unlike in their dramas.
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I wonder if any actress could have chemistry with Dennis Morgan. Maybe....Betty Hutton? lol.
shareIt's definitely no classic, but it's fun, and hey, not all Christmas movies can be It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story. But I disagree about Morgan and Stanwyck, I thought they had excellent chemistry.
"He's already attracted to her. Time and monotony will do the rest."
I thought the chemistry between Stanwyck and Morgan was terrific. My major problem with the film is too many other characters and situations in their way.
shareBlame that on Morgan whose idea of acting seems to have been to strut around woodenly with that goofy, annoying smirk on his face. Stanwyck´s fine as usual.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
Agree - he wasn't much of an actor. And let's face it: if these two
wound up in bed, Stanwyck would be the top, folks. No chemistry at all.
Elizabeth's hormones must have been whacked. I thought she was going to start humping Jones when he walked in the door. Jones should have realized she was a nutcase, and wanted nothing to do with her. Personally, i would take the nurse over Elizabeth.
shareI could not disagree more with those who said that they had no chemistry. They looked as if they could hardly keep their hands of each other as soon as Barbara opened the door to him. I have all of her films, and I would say that he is in my Top Five of her leading men, If you want to see a complete lack of chemistry, take a look at Barbara and Errol Flynn in Cry Wolf.
shareNo chemistry? I think he's the reason she couldn't keep from smiling.
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