Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)

This film may not be exactly forgotten, but it certainly is overlooked. When talking about the films of Alfred Hitchcock this film is hardly ever mentioned, and sometimes when it is glanced over as one of Hitch's weakest films. Honestly I disagree with this strongly. It may not be Vertigo or North By Northwest, but it is a very delightful movie that should get more attention.

People familiar with Alfred Hitchcock only as the master of suspense, will probably be very surprised by this film. This is because this film is a screwball comedy, not a suspense movie. Hitchcock would later say in the book long interview with François Truffaut that he did this movie as a favor to Carole Lombard (who plays the lead female character in this movie). However some RKO (the studio this was made for) files state that Hitch personally sought out this film to direct. This would be one of the very few Alfred Hitchcock films in which Hitchcock would not play a huge role in the writing of.

Despite all this though Hitchcock put a lot of effort into the direction of this film. Scenes like the amusement park ride or Mr. Smith (played by Robert Montgomery) and his friend Jeff (played by Gene Raymond) walk opposite directions out the apartment no longer friends are expertly directed. Visually this film is just a treat to look at. The one scene not directed by Hitch was his cameo. This scene was directed by the film's star Carol Lombard, who made Hitch do many retakes.

The direction is not the only thing great about this film. Though not every joke works, the ones that do are very funny. The scene were Jeff is drunk, the amusement park ride, and two disastrous dinner dates are very funny. The love story is quite believable. Though the characters do some quite unlikable things to each other at times (one of the film's very few big faults), I still believed that they loved each other.

This was Hitchcock's third movie made in Hollywood. The two before this were Rebecca and Foreign Correspondent. Hitch started his career making films in Britain (starting in 1922), and made many great films there.  He moved to Hollywood in 1939, after signing a contract with David O. Selznick, the head of 20th Century Fox. However the relationship between the two was not exactly always on good terms and so he soon began making films at other Hollywood studios (such as this film).

Mr. and Mrs. Smith was very popular with audiences. However many critics were not so pleased with the film and considered it below the quality of Hitch's previous American films.

The two main stars of this film would later reprise their roles for radio however not together. Carol Lombard would reprise the role for the Lux Radio Theater show later the year this film was released. Robert Montgomery would reprise the role in 1949 for the Screen Directors Playhouse show.

After this film Carol Lombard would only appear in one more film. That would be Ernest Lubich's To Be or Not to Be released in 1942. She would end up dying in a plane crash in early 1942 while participating in a war bond drive for World War 2.

For the record this film has nothing to do with the 2005 movie baring the same name.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Resourses Used
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/1693/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith/articles.html

The Maltese Falcon (1931)

As movie lovers (I am assuming if you are reading this you love movies), nearly all of us adore the 1941 version of The Maltese Falcon. This is because it is an incredible film that has well earned it's reputation as a classic. However too many of us overlook the 1931 adaption of the book. While this film may not be quite as good as the 1941 film, it comes very close, much closer than one who hasn't seen this movie would think. It is also very interesting to note how similar these two films are. The 1941 film is actually a very close remake of the 1931 film. There was also 1936 film adaption called Satan Met a Lady, however that film is extremely different from either the 1931 or the 1941 versions. It is worth noting that 1931 was the year often the novel on which all these films were based was released. It is also worth noting that all three version were released by the Warner Brothers studio. Despite some attention from Film Historians, J.B. Kaufman and Leonard Maltin, this 1931 film has unfortunately be forgotten by many, which is sad because this is truly an excellent film, and should be enjoyed by all lovers of classic Hollywood movies, however today we will take a look at this fantastic and very overlooked film.

One of things that really makes this film great is simply it's cast. This film stars Ricardo Cortez, a very underrated actor, as Sam Spade. Cortez turns in an amazing performance in this film. It is no use comparing him to Humphrey Bogart, because he plays the role quite differently. His Spade is a bigger womanizer and a more upbeat character. This role was originally considered for the actor George Bancroft, who is best known today for being in films like Stagecoach and Mister Deeds Goes to Town. We are quite lucky that Cortez was chosen for this part because his performance is fantastic. Also starring in this film is Bebe Daniels, who is best known today for being Harold Lloyd's first leading lady, and for all her appearances in Busby Berkeley's musicals. Again she turns in a great performance. Also in this film is the talented and beautiful Thelma Todd, best remembered today for her roles in Laurel and Hardy and Marx Brothers films.

This film was directed by Roy Del Ruth. While Del Ruth never gained the following John Houston (who directed the 1941 film) did, he was definitely a talented director, directing such films as It Happened on Fifth Avenue, Topper Returns, Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back and The First Auto. This film is definitely one of his best works.

It is intresting to note that this film has the same art director as the 1941 version. This was Robert M. Hass, who also was the art director for such great films as Now Voyager, Jezebel, Dark Victory and Angels with Dirty Faces. His work on both films was fantastic.

This film being made in 1931 has a lot for fans of pre-code Hollywood of which I know there are many. For those unaware of the phrase pre-code, it is referring to the era in Hollywood before the production code took power. The production code was essentially a code of censorship that American movies would have to abide by. If a film broke any of the rules of this censorship code, it would not be able to get the same distribution that one that followed the code could get. This code while it existed earlier didn't take full power until June 13, 1934. Because of this scenes like Sam Spade searching Ruth Wonderly for money he thought she stole and making her take off her clothes (no nudity was shown on screen) during the process would not be possible if this film was released 3 years later. It is worth noting that these scenes are done much more tasteful and discreet than much of what you see in movies today.

When shown on TV in than the 1950's it would be re-titled The Dangerous Female to not be confused with the more popular movie. It is thanks to Turner Classic Movies that it's original title card has been restored.

While this may not be the 1941 version, it comes pretty darn close. This film is full of clever dialogue (some of which would reappear in the 1941 film), great performances, and good direction. This is a fantastic film which is a definite must see for fans of classic movies.

Also movie buffs should look for a portiat of actress Lousie Brooks in Sam Spade's apartment.

-Michael J. Ruhland


Resourses Used
http://www.jbkaufman.com/movie-of-the-month/maltese-falcon-1931-0