mossgrymk Review of The Hard Way

The Hard Way (1943)

the hard way

[6/10 · 16 November 2021]

This film is mostly shlock, of course, albeit rather watchable schlock unlike the low grade sausage that was being simultaneously ground out by, say, Mickey Rooney or Kay Francis. Indeed, every so often, like in the scenes that contemplate feckless failure that feature Jack Carson and Gladys George, the viewer is reminded that the screenplay is by two of the better twentieth century American novelists, Daniel Fuchs and Peter Viertel. But then we cut away to over the top Ida and bland Joan or a boring song and dance routine with Dennis Morgan and we are suddenly jarred back to Vincent Sherman directed mediocrity. Give it a C plus.

PS...Even to 1940s unliberated women the sight of Joan Leslie giving up a successful acting career for ten (!!!) kids with Dennis Morgan must have elicited more than a few "Better you than me, hon"'s.