Made for Each Other (1939)

While on a business trip, an ambitious young lawyer meets and immediately falls in love with a stranger. They wed the following day, and tragedy soon strikes.

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Jo Swerling (screenplay), Rose Franken (suggested by a story by)

Stars:

Carole Lombard, James Stewart, Charles Coburn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carole Lombard	...	Jane Mason
James Stewart	...	John Horace Mason
Charles Coburn	...	Judge Joseph M. Doolittle
Lucile Watson	...	Mrs. Harriet Mason
Eddie Quillan	...	Conway
Alma Kruger	...	Sister Madeline

Storyline

Young lawyer meets and marries girl after knowing her one day. Takes bride home to meet his mother who disapproves of the marriage. Lawyer thinks everything will be fine as he moves up the ladder of the law firm. He doesn't and things get tough. A baby makes things even tougher.

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Plot Keywords:

pneumonia | blizzard | serum | mother in law | manhattan new york city | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le lien sacré

Filming Locations:

Reuss Ranch, Malibu Lake, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Selznick International Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Seven actors listed in records for this movie were not seen in the final print. They are (with their character names) Jack Mulhall (Rock Springs Radio Operator), Arthur Gardner (Iowa City Radio Operator), John M. Sullivan (John Hopkins Chemist), John Austin (Allentown Radio Operator), and the three doctors, Robert Strange, Perry Ivins and Gladden James.

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Goofs

When Johnny comes home drunk, his collar changes throughout the scene from being flipped up in the back to being properly placed.

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Quotes

Jane: I won't say anything. I won't say anything. I won't say anything.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits start with hands signing "Carole Lombard" and "James Stewart" to a marriage license.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in James Stewart, Robert Mitchum: The Two Faces of America (2017)

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Soundtracks

Rock-a-Bye Baby
(1886) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Effie I. Canning
In the score when Jane comes out of the doctor's office
Reprised in the score at the maternity hospital

User Reviews

Tries soooo hard to do too many things...

Lombard was tired of doing screwball comedies, and still had her eye on the Selznick ultimate prize, Scarlett O'Hara - but she had to prove she could handle dramatic parts, to herself and to the public. This film is low-key, charming in its own way, but rather schizophrenic in plot. James Stewart is a convincingly earnest young husband and fledgling attorney who meets and marries the Lombard character in a whirlwind romance, before the couple comes crashing back to earth with a loud thud. Baby soon makes three, and Mother-in-Law makes an uncomfortable four -- in a tiny apartment, with an even tinier household budget.

The plot peculiarities begin on a New Year's Eve -- although in the midst of a huge party, Jane and Johnny don't feel much like celebrating. They argue all the time, and can't really remember what they loved about each other to begin with. Then their baby gets desperately ill, and the plot appears to belong in a different movie. After some pretty dramatic twists, the movie returns to its original focus and becomes relatively normal again.

All in all, a fairly entertaining domestic soaper, until the Plot Twist from Mars rears its alien head. You'll be making faces at the screen, saying to yourself, "Hunhhhh?????"