It Had to Be You (1947) User Reviews

Destiny, Fate and Fantasy - this is a great chick-flick!

[PudgyPandaMan · 7/10 · 26 July 2008]

Warning to guys - you will probably hate this movie. But I think most women, judging from the user comments, will love it. This is a quintessential chick flick. It shouldn't be taken too seriously as it is a fantasy piece. You will have to suspend your sense of reality to enjoy this. But that's the point.

At the heart of this story is the idea that we all have one true love we are destined to be with. Call it Fate, Destiny, or even God-ordained - but it's the notion that forces will conspire to put us in touch with our one and only soul-mate.

This movie reminds me of another one of my favorite contemporary movies, Serendipity(2001), in the sense of being destined to find our soul-mate (although it is not a fantasy piece). I think guys probably find the fantasy, imaginary friend notion of IHTBY a little too corny for their tastes. But if you like a good, cheesy romance story, then you should like this picture.

I've notice several reviewers criticize Rogers for her little girl, squeaky voice. But I think in this role, it enhances the story. If you look at it from the idea that she is like a little girl who has never really grown up - but is somewhat frozen in time to back when she was 6 years old, when she first meets her "soul-mate". I know this is a stretch, but that is how I interpreted it and it worked for me.

I love the sets and costumes in this movie. It makes for a visual feast. Rogers' gowns are unbelievably gorgeous, especially the wedding gown at the very end. But even her dressing gowns were quite elaborate, adding to the notion of just how wealthy her family is. I find it hard to believe women actually wore these - they look incredibly uncomfortable! If the beautiful mansion set with the incredible staircase looks familiar, you may recognize it from Holiday (1938), the George Cukor film starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. That staircase is just amazing - the most beautiful I have ever seen.

There is one thing I did find hard to swallow, and I didn't notice it until Rogers and Wilde are in the car and he finally decides to marry her. How did he not notice the huge, honking diamond engagement ring on her finger and not know she was already engaged? Also, look closely at Wilde's left ring finger in this scene as well. He looks like he is wearing a ring on that finger that is being disguised so as to not be noticeable. What is that about?

Great film for a lazy afternoon.

[ruxpin3000 · 7/10 · 16 July 2008]

As a single 20-something I've had to watch seemingly hundreds of romantic comedies with girlfriends. "It Had to Be You" is probably the only one I would consider watching again.

I was half asleep when this movie came on Turner Classic Movies this afternoon. I've been trashcan-by-the-couch sick all week, so what's been on the TV is a complete blur.

Before I could cycle through what was on the DVR, the movie had gotten its hooks in me. When I got up and ran urgently to the bathroom I did something I never do: I hit 'pause.' I'm probably a dream subject for people marketing to the 21- to 35-year-old bracket. I like violence, video games, electric guitars and scantily-clad women. None of these things are in "It Had to Be You," but it kept me entertained anyway.

It's not a classic by any means, but this movie is solid. Its humor carries through 60 years later and the actors felt right for their roles. Also, the story is believable in its unbelievability - I still like to think my kindergarten-crush will pop up and be right for me.

The movie also has that post-war wholesomeness that's hard to describe. There are a lot things left unsaid in the film that would be brought up in a modernized version, mainly about a live-in male friend who is not the fiancé. As it stands it feels fresh compared to the last half-dozen romantic-comedies I begrudgingly saw in theaters.

If you want to see a quality, lighthearted, funny and fantastic 40s-era movie, then check this one out next time it's on TCM.

Foolish comedy is all in vain...incredibly naive mixture of fact and fantasy...

[Doylenf · 5/10 · 26 April 2007]

GINGER ROGERS plays another one of her fluttery sapheads with a little girl voice and manner that becomes irritating after the first ten minutes. She's caught in a script full of trouble--because none of it makes a good deal of sense. Supposedly, her crush as a girl on a boy who played Indian games with her, has her fantasizing that this boy--now a man in her dreams--is the one she was destined to marry.

So, in a prologue to the nonsense, she shows up at the altar several times with a man she cannot exchange the wedding vows with--even up until the ending where she and RON RANDELL are about to be wed.

It's tiresome stuff, but is somewhat salvaged by a couple of bright performances from CORNEL WILDE as the Indian incarnation (in her dreams) and RON RANDELL as the stuffy suitor who has the best command of all the comic lines and situations. Indeed, it's Randell who gives the most polished, professional job in the whole film. And CORNEL WILDE, in a dual role as the Indian and the fireman Ginger eventually meets, lends charm and physical presence to his part.

SPRING BYINGTON is properly befuddled (as usual) as Rogers' dithery mother but the whole story fizzles long before it reaches a rather predictable ending.

Ginger mugs her way through most of it but it's her little girl voice that is the most irritating factor in her portrayal of the daffy heroine.

Cast rises above story

[HallmarkMovieBuff · 21 April 2008]

The ever-endearing Ginger Rogers plays a socialite sculptress who rejects one suitor after another until she realizes that she's always been in love with a boy with whom she played kissing games at a childhood party, a boy who's grown up to become a fireman. She comes to this realization as the boy of her dreams literally materializes from one of her dreams as an adult dressed in the Indian costume he wore at the party. Of course, the plot is much more convoluted than I describe, but that's the gist.

Cornell Wilde does well in the dual role of the annoying and persistent Indian "George" and the likable but reluctant fireman "Johnny". How Rogers' "Victoria" comes to find her fireman, shed her Indian, and dump her latest fiancé "Oliver" (Ron Randell) constitutes roughly the second half of the film. Wilde's "Indian" makes the going in the first half a bit tedious due to its incredibility. Nevertheless, it all concludes quite satisfactorily, as movies of this genre and time are wont to do.

One should mention that all supporting players do just as well in their roles as the leads, which is quite a feat, given the unbelievable material with which they had to work.

A bit past its sell date

[vert001 · 7/10 · 15 April 2017]

IT HAD TO BE YOU is an imaginative fantasy/comedy, but by 1947 the era of screwball was pretty much finished. Its comedy is real but forced, not least in the hyperactive performance given by Ginger Rogers, almost as if she didn't have confidence that the material could play without a serious push. But fantasy requires a lighter touch than it got from Rogers in this movie. Cornel Wilde's performance isn't exactly understated either, but it remains controlled and effective, and surprisingly, he seems to have had more of a flair for farce than he had for the adventure flicks that filled his career.

His George McKesson is certainly an unusual character. Something of a guardian angel for Ginger's Vicki, George appears not as a disembodied spirit but as a physical man, and in the image of her subconscious 'true love' who turns out to be a fireman, also played by Wilde. This is an angel who doesn't know exactly why he's been sent to earth (beyond helping Victoria, of course), and has to discover the secret right along with her. He isn't much of a help in this regard, merely serving as an embarrassment to her as he comes between Vicki and her latest false fiancée. Ultimately, George would seem to be more of a plot device than anything else, but that's fair enough, the movie has no pretension to being anything more than an amusement, and it amuses tolerably well.

Did Wilde ever have another chance to do comedy? If not, it's a pity. As for Ginger, IT HAD TO BE YOU is something of a milestone in her career. This is the last time she played a character noticeably younger than her actual age (a common occurrence up to this point. MONKEY BUSINESS is kinda, sorta an exception). 1948 would be the first year since 1928 in which she would not make any films at all (an unfortunate contract signed with a fledgling studio would be the cause of that delay). When she returned in THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY she played a mature wife, and it would be mature characters for the rest of her career. And it would be a different Hollywood. The Classic Period was already slipping away, and it slipped away a lot faster for its aging female figures, particularly those who weren't the type to play human grotesques. Maybe that's the reason she seemed so uncharacteristically frantic in IT HAD TO BE YOU. She sensed that time was beginning to run out. Happily, she would have a long and graceful denouement.

Just awful...and there's no way this film can merit a 10.

[planktonrules · 2/10 · 29 April 2008]

When reading the reviews, I agreed with Neil Doyle's, though I felt he was still way too kind to this incredibly annoying and stupid film. Quite simply, this is among the worst films Ginger Rogers ever made--partly because of its terribly unfunny writing and partly because Ginger has never been more unlikable and irritating. Like the film RUNAWAY BRIDE, Ginger plays a woman who uses men--leaving them again and again at the alter. All this is intended to be kooky, but I found myself hating her character from the start due to her selfishness and whiny voice. I honestly would have loved it if one of her many fiancés had just slugged her! While all this wasn't very promising and Ginger's performance was VERY broad and "kooky", the film abruptly got worse while she was on a train trip. During her dream, she imagined an American Indian beau (played by Cornell Wilde) and when she awoke, he was real and pursued her rabidly. Some of his lines were admittedly funny, but this plot wore thin almost as soon as it began.

Perhaps one of the better (and this isn't saying much) acts in the film was the part played by Ron Randell--as a very, very effeminate and ineffectual boyfriend. He wasn't that good, but compared to Rogers and Wilde, he looked like Olivier! Try watching this tedious film if you'd like, but understand that I am a huge fan of classic Hollywood films and I really wanted to like this movie--which came off like a bad episode of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND. However, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't like this movie or recommend it to anyone I like.

A daffy delight

[jjnxn-1 · 8/10 · 26 September 2013]

Sweet comedy that can best be described as daffy. Ginger hadn't yet slipped into her grand lady mode and is a dizzy delight with an amazing wardrobe, the wedding dress with shimmering halo is something to behold! She's also at the peak of her personal beauty and looks stunning throughout, save one scene where she wears one of the ugliest hats ever.

Cornel Wilde was always an agile, agreeable comedian and matches well with Ginger, handling his dual role with aplomb.

Spring Byington and especially Percy Waram are delightful as the exasperated parents of the indecisive Miss Rogers.

A minor comedy but anyone who enjoyed The Major and the Minor will like this.

Ginger's Cold Feet

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 16 July 2008]

By 1947 the screwball comedies of the Thirties had run their cycle as people wanted a bit more realism. In It Had To Be You, Ginger Rogers plays another dizzy rich heiress who gets cold feet every time she comes up for the moment of truth before the 'I Dos' are said. Well at least she's saving those four prospective husbands a lot of potential alimony.

In this case it's hapless heir Ron Randell she's made number four. And this marriage is important to Randell's father, Thurston Hall who wants the millions of Rogers's parents Percy Waram and Spring Byington for his own business.

Her ideal man who she conceptualizes is Cornel Wilde and he appears to her in her sleeper car stateroom on a train and springs to life, in an Indian suit. And he won't leave her until she realizes what she subconsciously wants.

Later on Wilde appears to her as a blue collar fireman and it's a whirlwind courtship indeed.

It Had To Be You seems to be based on taking the performance of Ginger Rogers as Liza Elliott in Lady in the Dark which she had done for Paramount a few years earlier. That one also of course involved dream sequences and fantasies. But the idea really went off the track in this film.

I'm sure the fact that the Isham Jones-Gus Kahn song from the Twenties, It Had To Be You was enjoying a revival at the time via a hit record made by Dick Haymes and Helen Forrest certainly inspired the title of this film. The song is heard throughout the film.

Cornel Wilde showed a certain flair for comedy and he certainly didn't get parts like these too often in his career. Sad to say though that the film while funny in spots seems to run out of gas well before the finish.

To wed or not to wed, that is the question

[lora64 · 10/10 · 7 July 2001]

Life holds much promise as Victoria (Ginger Rogers) stands beautifully gowned in her wedding dress next to her chosen mate for the big moment of saying "I do." But to her dismay the words just never do come out and she runs off down the aisle leaving mayhem behind her. This disaster occurs three times, a year apart, in the end leaving her and everyone else exasperated.

Enter prospective groom No. 4 named Oliver and she's determined to see it through this time no matter what. However, Fate steps in with a most peculiar fantasy figure (of her imagination it seems) she names George (Cornel Wilde), who creates compromising situations in her life yet gradually points the way out for her bewilderment.

When she recalls an old sweetheart from childhood days, Johnny, who is now a fireman (also played by Cornel Wilde), she realizes he's the one for her but there are many tangled threads to set aright.

The beginning of the movie is amusing but picks up momentum as it progresses and becomes downright hilarious. I found it very funny where Victoria bursts out in confusion, "But I'm going to marry Oliver," (or words to that effect) as if trying to convince herself. It reminds me of that saying, "The heart has reasons that reason does not understand."

It's an enjoyable movie with a surprising twist to the ending. I too wish the video was available; was lucky to see it on tv.

It had to be a nightmare

[mls4182 · 1/10 · 8 March 2024]

What a horrid and painful failure. Cornel Wilde has no flair for comedy. He certainly didn't have what it took to overcome an impossibly ludicrous script. This isn't a farce it is a crock of &$#%.

Even Ginger couldn't pull this off. She is charming and lovely but be seems as lost as the audience. Miss Rogers excelled in musicals, comedies and even dramas but she couldn't save this bomb.

It is nice when writers try to come up with something original but most often it fails.

Mr. Wilde should have stuck to dramas and adventures. He just wasn't as versatile as Ms. Rodgers. As for the writers, they should have become garbage men.

I'm a soft touch for a good romantic comedy and this touches.

[vandytwo · 23 June 2002]

It's a loss not to find this flick in video. It's a hoot with decent acting (well, for Ginger it's ok) by the cast and a humorous plot. If I could find it on some TV late show, like I did when I first saw it before there was VHS, I'd tape it myself.

"okay" Ginger Rogers comedy

[ksf-2 · 5/10 · 9 December 2008]

Starring Ginger Rogers. - "It Had to be You" opens with Victoria Stafford (Rogers) ditching numerous grooms at the altar. (and don't you just LOVE that veil and halo getup when she ALMOST marries Atherton Huntley??) Mom is played by silly but knowledgeable Spring Buyington. (It HAD to be either her or Billie Burke.) The groom's dad suggests that Victoria go off and decide whether she is really ready to be married to his son. Of course, there is a dream sequence which starts to get downright silly, and that takes the film in a weird direction, involving psychological issues. Then more dreams, involving long hallways, a Native American, (the dashing Cornel Wilde) swimming. Misunderstandings. Got a little weird for me, but I guess if you don't look too closely, you can just go along for the ride. This was one of Ginger's comedies, like Stage Door, Monkey Business. The 2000 film version seems to be kind of a remake of this film, but has a different plot direction.

Movie was great and I wish it was available on video!!!!

[v4aholm · 10/10 · 26 December 1999]

This was a great movie and was a lot of fun. Ginger Rogers was fantastic as usual and Cornel Wilde was a hunk!. I would like them to make this film available on video. I want to add it to my collection. If only the movie stations would play these classics more often!

Had to Be You- Shouldn't Be Yours to See *

[edwagreen · 1/10 · 25 July 2008]

Total stinker involving Ginger Rogers who says no to 3 guys during her wedding ceremonies.

She finally meets up with Cornel Wilde, dressed as an Indian, at a station. Wilde is supposed to be some guardian angel.

The film is an absolutely stupid series of events where Wilde emerges as a fireman, the only true love for Rogers. Seems that the two of them knew each other years before when she was 6. He also has left 3 women at the altar.

The film might have been better had it try to develop further the relationship between a wealthy society girl and a fireman.

Wilde looks like he is having a good time here. The audience certainly was not.

Cornel Wilde: A Very Underrated Comic and Dramatic Actor!

[shominy-491-652355 · 10/10 · 21 March 2020]

This wonderful film deserves more than 10 stars! "It Had To Be You" is a perfectly enjoyable movie with a fun story and excellent cast! Ginger Rogers and Cornel Wilde are perfect together! This film is interesting from beginning to end and moves quickly with a big surprise in the last few seconds! A perfect movie for anyone who enjoys a creative, light-hearted, romantic comedy with a superb cast!

Missing a Beat

[mjbrown-5 · 5/10 · 25 July 2015]

An example of having nearly all the elements, but missing a vital ingredient of enough hold on logic to allow us to suspend our disbelief. Ginger keeps leaving men at the altar and can't figure out why. She has a dream about an native American man as her pugnacious true love interest. This is what intrigued me, considering the era. The puzzling aspect is when her dream lover actually not only appears to her in real life, other people can see and interact with him,too. There's no real explanation as to how this is possible. Granted, it's a fantasy,but even fantasies have certain laws laid out for us to hang onto. In this case, perhaps all that was needed is a little sequence laying out the missing groundwork. For example, if it was explained that Wilde's character is Cupid, in the form of her dream lover, then, OK, we can see him having the ability to interact with mere mortals. It would also clear up Ginger's confusion. She falls for Cupid as her ideal and Cupid must now lead her to the real deal before she falls for him. A missed opportunity. Fine cinematography, gorgeous gowns and Wilde is sexy and funny.

A movie to watch w/o trying to guess the outcome

[batesvl · 10/10 · 24 February 2011]

I reviewed this around the Valentine's month for 2011. Notice it was coming on wee hours of the morning and set recorder to do so. I had never seen the movie – didn't know it existed, yet found it interesting after reviewing the recording. There was something about the write-up that made me think it would be interesting. I was thinking of Runaway Bride - but only thing they shares is that the bride did runaway. After that, the movies are different as it has fantasy and reality both in the plot. I think we need a tip for watching and enjoying the movie: The tip is to not to try to guess where the movie is going but relax and know it does have a happy ending. Enjoy how you get there.

I did some Google's and research for what inspired the song to the title of the move: It Had to be You. I found it was inspired by song writer Gus Kahn's wife Grace. Also there is a movie slightly about their life story together in: I'll See You in My Dreams" Interesting points – Both of the movies were done after the death of Gus Kahn who passed in 1941. There are some interesting/clean dreams in the movie that add to the story.

In It had to be You, I think they put some of Ginger Roger's life attributes in the movie - she fished and did sculpting/art though she never sold the art and kept for herself. Cornel Wilde was an acrobatic and plays dual role of both the as he calls himself in the movie Hot Indian and a fireman. Not sure if he did his own stunts, yet it sort of looked that way. He plays both roles differently too: the Indian is more outgoing and the fireman is a little reserved. I read Cornel's online biography and it seems he liked to see how he would play a character and he may have given those to interpretations/mindsets for the roles.

After you get over where was the movie going and trying guess ahead based on prior movies you may have seen: the movie becomes interesting the way it came together. The ending appears as if they are out of time and need to end it. Even the music suggests such; but it's OK - as it's a happy ending!

Not necessarily a bad outing for Rogers...

[moviedude1 · 8/10 · 12 January 2009]

Ginger Rogers stars as a pending bride who's noted for leaving her suitor(s) at the altar. But this time, she's sure of her decision...until a new suitor, literally, shows up in her dreams.

Although I don't believe something like this could REALLY happen, I was in the mood for something light and I ended up watching this. I've never been a big fan of the old movies, but I saw "Chicago" with Gere, Zellweger, and Zeta-Jones and then saw the film "Roxie Hart" (1927) with Ginger Rogers, and kind of liked the campy comedy that this film portrayed, so I keep an eye out for her on TCM and whenever I stumble across one of her films, I try and watch them. As I said, I don't believe the premise of the film could ever happen, but the way Ginger looks at Cornel Wilde is believable and, although it's probably with more infatuation than love, I know every guy wishes for a girl to look at him that way.

The story won't necessarily keep you enthralled, but your wondering how they're gonna get out of this predicament will! 8 out of 10 stars!

It Had To Be You with Ginger Rodgers

[avn7172 · 10/10 · 29 May 2005]

This is probably my favorite movies of all times and I would love to be able to buy it. If anyone know how to get this movie please let me know and if it is possible please put it where I can buy it as I would love to see it again and if not please let me know when they show it on T.V so that I can watch it again. When I first saw this movie I was 12 years old and I would come home from school and run to the T.V. and look for it again and find it and watch it again. I must have seen it every day for at least a month.If you have missed this movie please try to watch it. It has comedy and romance in it and it is really a cute movie.If I tell you any more it will ruin it for you but this is one of the best movies I have ever seen in my opinion.

Dreams really do come true

[OldieMovieFan · 9/10 · 4 August 2023]

"It Had to be You" was Ginger Rogers' first box office miss since 1934's heavily censored "Upperworld," although it was still profitable. By this time, she had had 18 #1 films; more number ones, in 15 years, than Katharine Hepburn would have in her entire 60 year career. Rogers was surprised at Cornel Wilde's ability to play comedy, which he wasn't known for, and had high praise for his work as her leading man. And her praise is well-deserved, he does a terrific job, working easily in a role built for a George Brent, Dennis Morgan, or early Gable or Cagney.

In her autobiography (and in several biographies, too), Ginger Rogers remained mostly silent about the time period around 1947-1949. She talks briefly about making this film and then leaving for the Rogue River region, where she famously owned a ranch. Several modern commenters have rushed to speculate what was happening: they guessed that she was hiding from the Red Scare / HUAC era, and that her mother's speeches were damaging Ginger's career, etc. Aside from this display of the most glaring lack of knowledge about one of the most confident actresses who ever lived, they could have simply read her memoirs which indicate she was proud of her mother's stance and she asked that people read her mother's speech itself instead of newspaper accounts. Others have speculated that she was trying to keep her marriage intact, and still others, that she was exhausted from a long career and entitled to some time off or even retiring.

The trade journals, however, show that she was steadily working behind the scenes with good friends like Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck, trying to get Enterprise Productions up and running. Founded by 'that notorious Red Commie Pinko actor,' John Garfield, Enterprise tried to break in to the Hollywood studio oligarchy the same way that Pickford, Fairbanks, Griffith & Chaplin had done years earlier with United Artists. Along with other Hollywood royalty like Ingrid Bergman, Joan Crawford and Charles Boyer, Rogers traveled to cities across the country to work with exhibitors and distributors. McCrea had a solid box office success for the studio, "Ramrod," with Veronica Lake, and the studio produced advertising for a Ginger Rogers film called 'Wild Calendar' which was to follow "It Had to be You," but it was never made. In spite of the support of these glittering names, the company couldn't break the stranglehold of the studio system, and folded. That business failure is probably the most likely explanation for Rogers' silence about this time in her life.

The point of "It Had to be You" is that wow!! Dreams really do actually come true, and for Ginger Rogers the dream had come true and would continue for many decades to come. But alas, for that group of actors, the business dream just didn't happen.

Viewing of "It had to be you (1947)

[inunez · 19 January 2007]

I also saw this movie "It Had To be You" when I was 8 or 9 .... I would love to see it again .... does anyone know if it is available? I tried Turner Classic Movies and did not get a hit .... are there any archives that one might be able to look into? .... one of the things I remember vividly is that there was an Indian in the movie, looked like Tonto from the Lone Ranger, and seem to remember a staircase and a train ..... interestingly enough I saw this movie on a ship when my family was going back to South America on one of the "Grace" line ships, the "Santa Isabel" of course at the time there was no movie room on the ship but it was shown on a screen hung probably on the stern of the ship and we sat on chairs on the deck. I would like to add that after I wrote the above comment, I did find a DVD in England. Comes in the European format so you need a player or PC that has that option. Have to say that it was great to be able to see watch it again.

Best effort for both stars

[actonkat · 10/10 · 3 September 2000]

I remember this movie from tv when I was a kid. Terrific music, "My Ship Has Sails". I believe written by Kurt Weill. Would love to see this again and definitely own on VHS or DVD. Would put it right next to my copy of "One Touch of Venus". They don't make movies like this anymore unfortunately.

Love it!!!

[josigha · 27 March 2002]

Wish-I too could have a copy of the movie but since it is way old- don't guess that'll happen!