Kalaman Review of Stranded

Stranded (1935)

Quite Routine & Indifferent Compared to "Living on Velvet"

[6 August 2003]

"Stranded" is a rather routine and inconsequential love story from Frank Borzage, starring Kay Francis and George Brent, the two leads of Borzage's passionate "Living on Velvet"(1935). It is not without a certain light grace or charm, but overall I find it indifferent or unmemorable. Francis and Brent were very believable and were quite into each other in "Living on Velvet", but here in "Stranded" the chemistry is not just there. Francis stars as Lynn Palmer, a charitable Travelers Aid worker who helps children, foreign brides, and needy elders. Brent is Mack Hale, a Golden Gate Bridge engineer characterized by a strong work ethic. Mack falls in love with Lynn and while their intimate interaction is somehow plausible, it doesn't really jell. "Stranded" sometimes benefits from Delmer Daves' sometimes witty, sometimes ironic dialogue -- especially the final scene. Lynn, with a certain compassionate humility, says to Mack, "you build with steel and I try to build with people." Mack: "There's no reason why you should forgive what I've said and done but I want you." Lynn: "Darling, don't be so humble, you break my heart if you ever be humble. Never lose your arrogance... that's the you I love." In sum, "Stranded" is a hit-and-miss for me.