In Name Only *** (1939, Cary Grant, Carole Lombard, Kay Francis, Charles Coburn, Helen Vinson) – Classic Movie Review 6155

Director John Cromwell’s 1939 drama stars Cary Grant as rich Alec Walker who falls for a young widowed artist, single mother Julie Eden (Carole Lombard), but there is one snag. His venomous, gold digging wife Maida (Kay Francis), with whom he is in a loveless marriage, will not divorce him.

The splendid star trio sparkle in a polished, serious domestic drama detailing the anatomy of a frustrated marriage in a classic tearjerker love triangle tale. The performances and Cromwell’s tasteful direction give this familiar material a touch of class.

Richard Sherman’a screenplay is based on Bessie Breuer’s novel Memory of Love.

Also in the cast are Charles Coburn, Helen Vinson, Peggy Ann Garner, Katherine Alexander, Jonathan Hale, Maurice Moskovich, Nella Walker, Spencer Charters, Alan Baxter, Harriet Matthews, Sandra Morgan, Harold Miller, John Dilson, Doug Gordon, James Adamson, Tony Merlo, Frank Puglia, Alan Pollard, Charles Coleman, Grady Sutton, Arthur Aylesworth, Byron Foulger, Lloyd Ingraham and Frank Mills.

This RKO film is shot in black and white by J Roy Hunt, produced by Pandro S Berman and George Haight, and scored by Roy Webb.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6155

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