Synopsis
The story begins in occupied Germany, immediately after the end of WWII. American WACAnn Sheridan and French officer Cary Grant are sent on a mission together. They have workedtogether before, and are extremely prickly with each other. Naturally, we know this meansthey are going to fall in love. But Grant, who has already suffered one humiliation after anotherduring the mission, has more to face, this time in the form or US Armed Forces bureaucracy: ifhe wants to tra…el to the States with his new wife, he musts register as a war bride. Forgetconsummating the marriage: the poor man will be lucky if he finds somewhere to sleep.
Over the course of his career, Grant’s immensely dignified presence worked superbly in anumber of modes. One, which we see in People Will Talk and Charade, is as thesupremely confident and competent hero, utterly unflappable and in whom we place ourcomplete trust. Another mode, which we have here, plays up the fact that there is nothing funnierthan the humiliation of the dignified man, and Grant is put through so much here even BruceCampbell would feel sorry for him. Sheridan is a typically tough, no-nonsense Hawksian heroine,and her exchanges with Grant are saucy repartee at its finest.
Audio
As with People Will Talk, the sound comes in both 2.0 and mono options. The worstexcesses of stereo remixes are avoided, and there aren’t any inappropriate surround effects ordialogue. Of course, this means that there isn’t really any surround at all, but this is preferable tothe alternative. The sound is clean, and there is no hiss.
Video
There is a fair bit of grain, but some of this might be due to the fact that the movie wasclearly shot on location, and post-war conditions couldn’t have been the best ones for pristinecinematography. There are a few splices in the print, though. The edge enhancement is minimal,as are most of the other forms of print damage.
Special Features
Much the same as the other new Cary Grant releases: the theatrical trailer, a behind-the-scenes still gallery, and trailers for An Affair to Remember, Kiss Them For Me,Monkey Business, and People Will Talk. Instead of the teaser that accompaniesthe other new releases, there is a (silent) Movietone reel showing the making of the film and itsrelease. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
A fine example of just how good the romantic comedy can be, reminding one painfully ofhow rare that quality is today.
Special Features List
- Theatrical Trailers
- Movietone Newsreel
- Still Gallery
