Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941)

Not a typical Hitchcock movie, this is a comedy about a couple who learn that their marriage was not valid.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writer:

Norman Krasna (story)

Stars:

Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery, Gene Raymond

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carole Lombard	...	Ann
Robert Montgomery	...	David
Gene Raymond	...	Jeff
Jack Carson	...	Chuck
Philip Merivale	...	Mr. Custer
Lucile Watson	...	Mrs. Custer
William Tracy	...	Sammy
Charles Halton	...	Mr. Deever
Esther Dale	...	Mrs. Krausheimer
Emma Dunn	...	Martha
Betty Compson	...	Gertie
Patricia Farr	...	Gloria
William Edmunds	...	Proprietor Lucy's
Pamela Blake	...	Lily (as Adele Pearce)

Storyline

New York sophisticates David Smith and Ann Smith née Krausheimer have been lovingly and passionately married for three years, or so they believed. They are told individually that due to a technicality - an unresolved municipal and state jurisdictional issue at the time of their supposed marriage - their wedding was not legal, and as such they are not really married. Despite David saying earlier in the day that if he had to do his life all over again that he would not have married her (even though he loves her), it is Ann that decides not to marry David this second time around due to an action, or in reality inaction, by David in reaction to the news of their marriage being invalid. While Ann goes about her life as a supposedly single woman (which includes calling herself Ann Krausheimer), David does whatever he can to win Ann back. But winning Ann's hand may be difficult as part of Ann's new life is dating other men. One of those other men and the most serious is David's best friend ...

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | new york | skiing | cat | nightclub | 

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Taglines:

FOR YOUR BIGGEST LAUGH THIS YEAR See -- Carole LOMBARD - Robert MONTGOMERY -- co-sparring in a romance-battle to a finish that will leave you gasping! --

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

Joies matrimoniales

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the documentary "Mr. Hitchcock Meets the Smiths", this is the first American film to feature a pizzeria.

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Goofs

When David is gurgling while pretending to be ill, he tilts his towards Jeff twice in subsequent shots.

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Quotes

Mr. Harry Deever: I guess she's changed some huh?
[refering to David's wife]
David: Well, she's... changed a little.
Mr. Harry Deever: She once chased a dogcatcher half a mile with a baseball bat.
David: Well, she hasn't changed as much as you think.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Carole Lombard (1961)

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Soundtracks

"The Sidewalks of New York"
(1894) (uncredited)
Music by Charles Lawlor
In the score during scenes at Mamma Lucy's

User Reviews

this is hitchcock?

As a long-time Hitchcock fan, I avoided this as I would some of his silent dramas, as not typical of his work. However, I just watched one of the funniest, smartest, and sweetest screwball comedies I have ever seen, ranking for me with My Man Godfrey and Miracle of Morgan's Creek. Carole Lombard is absolutely radiant and I found myself laughing out loud many times, something I don't do usually when watching a movie alone. I adored it and I can't see why its rating isn't higher here. Hitchcock excelled as much at comedy as suspense and this one proves it.