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:

Made for Each Other

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 failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duped from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film.

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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 Cow Belles (2006)

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Soundtracks

Ave Maria, Op.52 No.6
(1825) (uncredited)
Composed by Franz Schubert
In the score when Jane prays for her child

User Reviews

Awkward as a whole, shining in parts

As a whole, this movie doesn't work at all. Different parts of the story jump around here and there and fail to form a cohesive piece -- the result of a poorly written script. For instance, halfway into the movie and you still get no idea of where it is all going. You get a vague sense that Johnny's (Jimmy Stewart) inability to support his family and the consequent strain on his relationship with his wife is part of the main plot, only to be completely thrown off by a new development in the story, which doesn't fit into the first portion of the film at all. It's almost like watching two different stories at the same time.

Despite this serious flaw, the film is "saved," so to speak, by its superb cast. Both Charles Coburn and Lucille Watson give their typical character portrayals. Jimmy Stewart gives his usual touching performance that is so well-known to film-goers. Meanwhile, Carole Lombard tries a hand at a dramatic role -- and succeeds. As a wife, she is charmingly believable, and as a mother, simply shines. Thus the unfortunate film is held together -- albeit weakly -- by the performance of the cast. Otherwise there isn't much that would convince one to keep watching. However, it may be worth your time if your main object is to enjoy the performance of either Jimmy Stewart or Carole Lombard, or both.