{"id":18534,"date":"2011-07-13T14:31:24","date_gmt":"2011-07-13T21:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=18534"},"modified":"2020-12-25T01:08:51","modified_gmt":"2020-12-25T08:08:51","slug":"mr-and-mrs-smith-1941","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=18534","title":{"rendered":"Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;If you had it all to do over again, would you still have married me?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Poster-202x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"202\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-18535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Poster-202x300.jpg 202w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Poster-86x128.jpg 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Poster.jpg 509w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a quibbling but happily married couple (Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard) find out their marriage isn&#8217;t valid, Montgomery tries to woo Lombard all over again &#8212; but his co-worker (Gene Raymond) has his eyes set on Lombard as well, and soon proves to be a serious rival for Lombard&#8217;s affections.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carole Lombard Films<\/li>\n<li>Hitchcock Films<\/li>\n<li>Jack Carson Films<\/li>\n<li>Marital Problems<\/li>\n<li>Robert Montgomery Films<\/li>\n<li>Romantic Comedy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nHitchcock purportedly directed this screwball comedy (his only entry in the genre) because he wanted to work with Carole Lombard &#8212; and who can blame him? Indeed, Lombard remains the primary reason to check out this frothy but oddly forgettable farce, based on a paper-thin premise (then again, which screwball comedy <em>isn&#8217;t<\/em>?), and featuring a fine rapport between Lombard and Montgomery. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-1024x635.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"397\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-1024x635.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-768x476.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-1536x953.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery-435x270.png 435w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-Montgomery.png 1659w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, bland Gene Raymond is badly miscast as the pivotal third lead: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"396\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-1536x950.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2-437x270.png 437w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Raymond-Lombard2.png 1641w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While he&#8217;s supposed to be somewhat of a milquetoast (which, by the way, doesn&#8217;t jive with his aggressively sneaky initial play for Lombard), one can&#8217;t help wishing that Jack Carson &#8212; truly hilarious in a bit role as Montgomery&#8217;s well-meaning friend, who sets him up with a floozy &#8212; were playing this meatier role instead. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-1024x628.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"393\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-1024x628.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-768x471.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-1536x943.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2-440x270.png 440w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Carson2.png 1657w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Hitchcock&#8217;s direction &#8212; in spite of his claim that he couldn&#8217;t relate to the characters in any way &#8212; is seamless if undistinguished; clearly, he was a man capable of carrying out any directorial duty placed before him.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carole Lombard as Mrs. Smith<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"396\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-768x474.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-1536x949.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1-437x270.png 437w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Lombard-1.png 1669w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Robert Montgomery as Mr. Smith<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-1024x628.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"393\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-1024x628.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-300x184.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-768x471.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-1536x943.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1-440x270.png 440w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Mr-and-Mrs-Smith-Montgomery-1.png 1667w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo; this one is only for Hitchcock completists, though it&#8217;s certainly worth a look &#8212; especially for Lombard. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0033922\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1941\/02\/21\/archives\/at-the-music-hall.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1356smit.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.combustiblecelluloid.com\/classic\/mrmrssmith.shtml\">Combustible Celluloid Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/1693\/mr-and-mrs-smith#articles-reviews?articleId=62627\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/mr-and-mrs-smith\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;If you had it all to do over again, would you still have married me?&#8221; Synopsis: When a quibbling but happily married couple (Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard) find out their marriage isn&#8217;t valid, Montgomery tries to woo Lombard all over again &#8212; but his co-worker (Gene Raymond) has his eyes set on Lombard as well, and soon proves to be a serious rival for Lombard&#8217;s affections. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Carole Lombard Films Hitchcock Films Jack Carson Films&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=18534\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18534"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59393,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18534\/revisions\/59393"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}