Marjorie Reynolds and Gale Sondergaard

I first saw this movie on TV as a kid, and—thanks to TCM—just revisited it for the first time in many years. It’s funny and imaginative, and it’s a treat to see Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in such offbeat roles, but what really struck me about it this time around were the performances of two ladies prominent in the cast: Majorie Reynolds and Gale Sondergaard. In addition to being easy on the eyes, Reynolds brings a good sense of fun to her role, and pairs well with Lou. She’s very much his co-star, with lots of screen time, and was perfectly cast in the part. That goes for Sondergaard too, although her role is somewhat smaller. What’s striking about her is her intensity. Some performers in light comedies like this one bluff their way through it, or just phone it in, but she plays her part to the hilt, as seriously as if she actually was playing Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca, as Binnie Barnes quips.

All in all, a very enjoyable movie, thanks to a clever script and spirited performances from the whole cast, but when it was over I felt that Reynolds and Sondergaard made the strongest impressions. (And come to think of it, “spirited” is the right word for The Time of Their Lives.)