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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

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

The liner shown at the beginning of the film is the SS Normandie. There are more shots of her when John and Jane try to go on their honeymoon in Europe.

---

Goofs

When John Mason (Jimmy Stewart) visits Judge Doolittle's home in the middle of the night, as John is pleading with the judge's brother Simon to wake up the judge, Simon mouths the exact words John is saying as he is saying them, showing his memorization of the script.

---

Quotes

Jane: The next time you go out and get tanked, if you don't take me, I'll get a divorce.

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

Featured in Hollywood Comedy Legends (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
(1893) (uncredited)
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Sung a cappella by the office workers with modified lyrics

User Reviews

Sugary Melodrama

James Stewart and Carole Lombard meet and marry on impulse while Stewart is in Boston on a case.

When they get back to New York the two of them go through a lot of the trials that newlyweds do, a seemingly unfeeling and uncomprehending boss, a bitter mother-in-law for Lombard, a new baby and then a sick toddler. I guess the fact that they get through it all is proof that they were indeed Made for Each Other.

Other reviewers have noted some similarities between It's A Wonderful Life and Penny Serenade. They are certainly there. What's not there is the screwball comedy that we remember Carole Lombard for. No laughs in this one, she plays this quite seriously and shows her versatility.

Stewart however is pure Stewart. It's as if Jefferson Smith had gone to law school instead of becoming a Boy Ranger. He's so idealistic and full of hope as he starts married life with Lombard. As he appeals to Charles Coburn for financial help to save his kid, the whole audience in the theaters must have felt along with him.

The two have some problems keeping household staff and when they find one they really like, their budget crunch forces them to let Louise Beavers go. Though it sure has some racial clichés in it, my favorite moment comes from Louise Beavers in that scene with Carole Lombard as Lombard tells her they will have to discharge her. Beavers is a woman with real heart and soul and her words of comfort to Lombard never fail to move me.

For fans of melodramatic soap opera and the two stars. Some may find Made for Each Other too saccharine, but I like it.