Details
Movie Description
James Stewart's pairing with then-girfriend Ginger Rogers adds dynamic chemistry to George Stevens' romantic comedy. When botany professor Peter Morgan (Stewart), is sent by his stuffy father (Charles Coburn), the college dean, to New York City to rein in the activities of his womanizing cousin Keith (James Ellison), he manages to fall in love with nightclub singer Francey Brent (Rogers). Following a whirlwind 24-hour romance, the couple are married. Peter's return to Old Sharon, N.Y. with his new wife causes the professor some anxiety, since he'll have to break the news to his fiancee Helen (Frances Mercer), and his conservative parents. To avoid revealing the news abruptly to his ailing mother (Beulah Bondi), Peter passes her off as Keith's girl, and stashes her at his cousin's apartment. At a college dance where the professor intends to introduce Francey to all, Helen, who's sniffed out the truth, initiates a vicious cat fight, and anarchy reigns. Despite the film's slender premise, Stewart and Rogers make an appealing couple, and the supporting cast is outstanding, with amusing turns by Bondi and Grady Sutton. As a bonus, the film includes a song by the immortal George Jessel, "You'll Be Reminded of Me."
Synopsis
Is marriage always this complicated?
On the orders of his bossy father, bookish botanist Peter Morgan reluctantly heads to New York City to reel in his lady-killer cousin, Keith. Once in the Big Apple, however, his attention is diverted by Francey, a cabaret singer. Peter manages to meet her... and by the next day, the two have wed -- atop a bus no less.
Then Peter brings his new bride back to his small hometown, to the horror of his parents. Ever the autocrat, Mr. Morgan separates his son from his love. She returns to New York and stays with Keith! If Peter wants to get Francey back -- and away from Keith -- he first must face down Dad.
Film Notes
The top dog of RKO's sound department in 1938, James Wilkinson, received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound for "Vivacious Lady," not the sound recordist credited in the film, Hugh McDowell Jr.
When an illness and prior commitments to MGM temporarily pulled him off "Vivacious Lady," James Stewart was almost replaced. One of the actors suggested to be cast in his role was Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Apparently, Stewart's co-star James Ellison was also in competition for the male lead.
Addditional cast: Frances Mercer (Helen); Dorothy Moore (Hat ceheck girl); Frank M. Thomas (Train conductor); Bud Flanagan (Student); and William Brisbane (Druggist).
Additional credits: Jack Meskill and Ted Shapiro (song composers: "You'll Be Reminded of Me").
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