The Lady Is Willing (1942)

Bold, eccentric Broadway performer Lisa Madden befuddles her handlers by coming home with a baby she picked up on the street. She wants to keep the baby but has to find a husband to make ... See full summary »

Director:

Mitchell Leisen

Writers:

James Edward Grant (story), James Edward Grant (screenplay),

Stars:

Marlene Dietrich, Fred MacMurray, Aline MacMahon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Marlene Dietrich	...	Elizabeth 'Liza' Madden
Fred MacMurray	...	Dr. Corey T. McBain
Aline MacMahon	...	Buddy
Stanley Ridges	...	Kenneth Hanline
Arline Judge	...	Frances
Roger Clark	...	Victor
Marietta Canty	...	Mary Lou
David James	...	Baby Corey
Ruth Ford	...	Myrtle Glossamer
Harvey Stephens	...	Dr. Golding
Harry Shannon	...	Detective Sergeant Barnes
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Mrs. Cummings
Charles Lane	...	K.K. Miller
Murray Alper	...	Joe Quig
Kitty Kelly	...	Nellie Quig

Storyline

Bold, eccentric Broadway performer Lisa Madden befuddles her handlers by coming home with a baby she picked up on the street. She wants to keep the baby but has to find a husband to make adoption viable. Why not her new obstetrician Dr. McBain? She offers him help with his research on rabbits in exchange for marriage - and he accepts. The marriage of convenience turns into a marriage of real love. When Dr. McBain's ex-wife comes looking for money, Lisa suspects something and leaves New York. However, a serious illness with the baby brings them together again as McBain operates to try and save the baby's life.

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Plot Keywords:

baby | rabbit | research | marriage of convenience | adoption | 

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Taglines:

When she adopted a dimpled darling she had to find a dizzy daddy...to take for a ride on the wildest merry-go-round of laughter that ever made you roar your breath away! (original Herald)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Mãe Solteira

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Early in the shooting, Marlene Dietrich severely injured her right ankle in a fall, and her entire right leg had to be placed in a cast. That's why in this film she is always shown in full-length outfits (gowns, slacks, etc.) and just one shot of her unclothed leg is seen, and that is in shadow.

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Quotes

Kenneth Hanline: I'd do anything for you. I'll write notes for you, I'll defraud managers for you, I'll steal babies for you. I'll do anything for you, but I won't marry you.

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Crazy Credits

The film's title appears on a billboard; and the opening credits are printed in a theatrical program.

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Connections

References Tobacco Road (1941)

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Soundtracks

"I Find Love"
Written by Jack King and Gordon Clifford
Sung by Marlene Dietrich (dubbed by Virginia Rees) and unidentified baritone

User Reviews

Silly yes, but...

This is one of those escapist, nonsensical, utterly unrealistic and yes, downright silly movies from a time when the world was anxious. Europe was under Nazi occupation and the US was contemplating its own role in the conflict. Hollywood had become very good at giving Americans just this kind of comic relief. So why should anyone bother with it? Because despite all the silliness the four leads manage to pull it off with great aplomb. Marlene Dietrich is just as exotic and glamorous as she was in 'The Blue Angel' if not more so. She was forty and a show-stopper without compare. How could Fred MacMurray help himself but fall for her. His role here is an early version of his absent-minded professor. And the supporting leads, Aline MacMahon and Stanley Ridges, are equally good and fun to watch. So sit back and enjoy the show!