O Sr. e a Sra. Smith (1941)

A couple who have been married for three years are shocked to learn that their marriage is not legally valid.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writer:

Norman Krasna (story and screenplay)

Stars:

Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery, Gene Raymond

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carole Lombard	...	Ann Krausheimer Smith
Robert Montgomery	...	David Smith
Gene Raymond	...	Jeff Custer
Jack Carson	...	Chuck Benson
Philip Merivale	...	Mr. Ashley Custer
Lucile Watson	...	Mrs. Custer
William Tracy	...	Sammy
Charles Halton	...	Mr. Harry Deever
Esther Dale	...	Mrs. Krausheimer
Emma Dunn	...	Martha
Betty Compson	...	Gertie Schultz
Patricia Farr	...	Gloria O'Dea
William Edmunds	...	Proprietor Lucy's
Pamela Blake	...	Lily (as Adele Pearce)

Storyline

New York sophisticates David Smith and Ann Smith née Krausheimer have been lovingly and passionately married for three years, or so they believed. They are told individually that due to a technicality - an unresolved municipal and state jurisdictional issue at the time of their supposed marriage - their wedding was not legal, and as such they are not really married. Despite David saying earlier in the day that if he had to do his life all over again that he would not have married her (even though he loves her), it is Ann that decides not to marry David this second time around due to an action, or in reality inaction, by David in reaction to the news of their marriage being invalid. While Ann goes about her life as a supposedly single woman (which includes calling herself Ann Krausheimer), David does whatever he can to win Ann back. But winning Ann's hand may be difficult as part of Ann's new life is dating other men. One of those other men and the most serious is David's best friend ...

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | remarriage | parachute | apartment | restaurant | 

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Taglines:

It's Daring! It's Delightful--And as Spicy as It's Speedy!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1944 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

O Sr. e a Sra. Smith

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie takes place in 1940.

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Goofs

At Lake Placid, when Jeff and Ann try to pick up David in the snow, his hat falls off. When the shot changes to behind Jeff, David's hat is back on.

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Quotes

David: Is Mama Lucy here?
Proprietor Lucy's: I'm Mama Lucy.

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Connections

Featured in Mr. Hitchcock Meets the Smiths (2004)

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Soundtracks

The Sidewalks of New York
(1894) (uncredited)
Music by Charles Lawlor
In the score during scenes at Mamma Lucy's

User Reviews

Carole and Hitch

According to the Films of Alfred Hitchcock, Carole Lombard prevailed upon Alfred Hitchcock to direct one her comedy films as a favor. Since Hitchcock admired her talent he did so.

It's important to remember that this is a Carole Lombard film and view it that way. Viewed as such it's not a bad marital comedy though if one is expecting certain Hitchcock touches they won't be there.

Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard are a constantly spatting married couple. They love each other, but to them arguing is like exercise. In a moment of oneupsmanship Montgomery answers in the affirmative to a question by Lombard as to whether he'd marry her if he had to do it all over again.

His words come back to haunt him when Charles Halton from Lombard's hometown in Idaho and says that because of a technicality they're not legally married. Montgomery spends the rest of the film trying to win Lombard back.

Some of the best movie comedies have been made on a premise flimsier than this one. Mr.&Mrs. Smith is not the best of comedies, but it is far from the worst.

I have a feeling that Alfred Hitchcock may have had Lombard in mind for future projects more of his own taste. I can see her easily in some of his later films. Lombard was only 32 when she died.

Pity we'll never know.