My Reputation (1946)

A recent widow meets an army major while skiing and despite pressures from friends and family becomes romantically involved with him.

Director:

Curtis Bernhardt

Writers:

Catherine Turney (screenplay), Clare Jaynes (novel)

Stars:

Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Warner Anderson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Jessica Drummond
George Brent	...	Major Scott Landis
Warner Anderson	...	Frank Everett
Lucile Watson	...	Mrs. Mary Kimball
John Ridgely	...	Cary Abbott
Eve Arden	...	Ginna Abbott
Jerome Cowan	...	George Van Orman
Esther Dale	...	Anna
Scotty Beckett	...	Kim Drummond
Bobby Cooper	...	Keith Drummond
Leona Maricle	...	Riette Van Orman
Mary Servoss	...	Mary
Cecil Cunningham	...	Mrs. Stella Thompson
Janis Wilson	...	Penny Boardman
Ann E. Todd	...	Gretchen Van Orman (as Ann Todd)

Storyline

Tongues begin to wag when a lonely widow becomes romantically involved with a military man. Problems arise when the gossip is filtered down to her own children.

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Plot Keywords:

widow | gossip | army major | skiing | domineering mother | 

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Taglines:

Of all the dramatic triumphs from Warners this one is the greatest!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi reputación

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of Barbara Stanwyck's sons asks her what team Joe DiMaggio used to play for. Although DiMaggio had rejoined the Yankees in 1946, when this film was released, he was in military service during 1943, when the film was actually filmed.

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Goofs

When Jess (Barbara Stanywck) gets behind Major Landis (George Brent) on his skis, she is holding her ski poles. In the next scene, she doesn't have them. A bit later, they are in her right hand, and then go missing again.

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Quotes

Jessica Drummond: There are two sides to everything - even gossip.

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Soundtracks

While You're Away
(uncredited)
Music by Max Steiner and Stanley Adams

User Reviews

A grade, m'dear Barbara.

This is a terrific film; lushly produced at WB in 1943 and with a performance by Stanwyck that I am still thinking about days later. I am puzzled at some of the negative comments and reviews as I went completely with this film and her performance; not once did I consider it a 'weepie' or felt it was a Crawford or Davis cast off. ... although it did remind me that it could have been almost a sequel to NOW VOYAGER (see both and you will recognize what I mean). MY REPUTATION deals in a very adult and modern manner with the perils of gossip and perceived social status and the mental straight-jacket that entraps the vulnerable. It also deals with a woman's sexuality post widowhood and the effect it has on her teenage sons. The sequence late in the film where she explains this to the boys is one of the great scenes in 40s cinema. The use of shadow (James Wong Howe photography) is ideal. Barbra Stanwyck is breathtakingly beautiful all through this very humane intelligent film; with a supporting cast of strong humorous characters led by the gargoyle Mother played by stone-faced Lucile Watson... giving Gladys Cooper (VOYAGER) a run for her money, or Laura Hope Crewes from the genuinely shocking SILVER CORD from 1932. I had never heard of this title so I was genuinely enthralled and thrilled at MY REPUTATION. It appears the release was botched in 1946 leaving this 3 year old film on the shelf until then which made certain parts of the romance irrelevant to post war audiences. MY REPUTATION is an excellent film, with beautiful sets and art direction, hilarious whimsy and very strong adult themes. Even the Max Steiner score is lovely. Do not be put off by any carping about any aspect of this well intentioned drama... MY REPUTATION is intact (which is more than I can personally say for me today).