THIS THING CALLED LOVE

US, 1941, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Rosalind Russell, Melvyn Douglas, Binnie Barnes, Allyn Joslyn, Lee J. Cobb, Gloria Holden.
Directed by Alexander Hall.

This Thing Called Love (from a Cole Porter song) is a typical screwball comedy of the '30s and '40s - one of the several teamings of Rosalind Russell and Melvyn Douglas. Director is Alexander Hall - who had worked with the stars quite often (My Sister Eileen).

'The film is an amusing version of the battle of the sexes - with some comment about marriage and relationships and the emerging woman of the '40s. In fact, the film seemed somewhat risque and ran into trouble with the American Legion of Decency.

Today it seems quite tame, even dated - but is engagingly played by its stars.

1. An entertaining comedy of the '40s? Impact in its time? Daring? Later? An example of the Hollywood screwball comedy?

2. Production values: the stars, black and white photography, the affluent and professional world of America?

3. The title and its focus? Ann and her theories about marriage, relationships, commitment? Tyce and his expectations of marriage? Romance clashes, betrayal? The humorous parallels with the other characters and their marriages?

4. The focus on Ann - her role at the board meeting, her theories about marriage and friendship? Her love for Tyce - melting at his phone call? Proposing her theories? The marriage, the home, her furthering her professional career, leaving him to his work? Living together - but preparing for the relationship and the romance? Ann and her business career? Tyce and his behaviour, seeming betrayal? The farcical comedy with Harry and his wife - and their being in and out of love? Trying to get then. to stay in the house, to leave? Her eventual return - and changing her theories? An amusing portrait of the 40s businesswoman? Rosalind Russell's comic style and timing?

5. Tyce and his return from South America, eagerness for the marriage, discussions with Ann, the marriage ceremony, the celebrations, the home? His being put at arm's length? His devices to entice Ann to the marriage? The irony of the misunderstandings? Charlotte Campbell and the poison ivy? his deception about his sick friend? The ups and downs of marital comedy? The happy ending?

6. Harry and his friendship, his own marriage, the clashes with Florence, the visit to Ann and Tyce, the mix-ups of their relationship? The humorous comment on marriage?

7. Charlotte Campbell and her devotion to Tyce, relationship, meals, being caught in compromising situations - with her dress, the swimming? The poison ivy and the revelation of the truth?

8. Ann's sister and-their discussions, marriage, divorce?

9. The de Estros and Latin America, the visit, the customs, the misunderstandings, staying the weekend?

10. Hollywood light treatment of the battle of the sexes, romance and marriage, commitment, betrayal and suspicion? The happy resolution and the.traditions of the happy marriage?