COME LIVE WITH ME
US, 1941, 86 minutes, Black-and-white.
James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Ian Hunter, Verree Teasdale, Donald Meek, Adeline De Walt Reynolds.
Directed by Clarence Brown.
Come Live with Me is a slight romantic story from MGM at the beginning of the 1940s. It is a star vehicle for Hedy Lamarr who was making an impact, especially at MGM. She plays a refugee from Europe who is still subject for deportation from the United States and is hiding, engaged to a married man, played by Ian Hunter. She is given a chance by the authorities to stay in the country if she marries an American.
The American turns out to be James Stewart, a rather needy writer who has received many rejections but who agrees to go through the formal marriage. Actually, the story gives him the opportunity to write a novel which is accepted by, of all people, Ian Hunter.
There are some farcical aspects, the style of the romantic comedy, with the touch of the screwball, and, of course, the happy ending. Of particular interest is the role of the grandmother, played with vigour by Adeline De Walt Reynolds.
The film was directed by Clarence Brown, a veteran of many serious and humane films at MGM.
1. Light 1940s MGM story, New York story, European background?
2. MGM production values, the director and his career, the cast, the score?
3. The title, Christopher Marlowe and his poem about the Shepherd?
4. The situation, Johnny, Hedy Lamarr, the screen presence and beauty, the death of her father, a refugee from Europe, the American government, the threat of being deported? Her relationship with Barton, in love with him, his protection, his talk of the divorce? The government officer, her straightforward response, his wanting to do something for her? The suggestion about marrying an American citizen? Her going out walking, Will on the seat, her walking on the cigarette stub, encountering him at the bar, the barkeeper keeping the dime, his protests, her verifying what he said, their being suspected of being in collusion? The clash, the talk, going to his apartment, her proposing the scheme, the effect, visiting each week, his beginning to write the novel, getting to know her, like her, then the prospect of divorce?
5. Will, from the country, living in the city, the rejection slips, the cigarette butt, the beggars in the street, the dime in the diner, Johnny and her help, his being wary, the apartment, the proposal, his decision to go with it? His writing? Posting the manuscript? Getting the wire, meeting Barton, meeting his wife, Barton and his worrying, the wife giving him $500 as an advance?
6. Barton, age, the marriage, their arrangements, love, wanting the divorce, with Johnny, at the office, his wife’s presence, his anxiety about Will?
7. Will and the trip, Johnny’s phone call, going to the farm, meeting Will’s grandmother, nice, the talk, the meal, the quiet of the country, his intention of returning? The partition and their beds, their talking, the torch?
8. Barton, arriving, upset, Johnny and her choice, and not loving Barton, the condition of his wife to take Barton back? The happy ending for Johnny and Will?
