Shoplifting young woman in New York City is nearly sent to the pokey over the holidays, but is rescued by the prosecuting attorney on the case, who takes her home for Christmas. Mitchell Leisen directs a screenplay by Preston Sturges; despite reported trouble between the two, Leisen seems to completely understand the writer's changes in mood and tone, and the peculiar mixture of comedy and very serious drama is nearly a success. The film's first act verges on screwball, what with the courtroom antics, a car accident, and a cow with a taste for ladies' hats. The sagging midsection aside, the rest of the picture is a bit more serious, almost brazen in its juggling of different themes, and the ending isn't a cop-out. In the leads, brilliant Barbara Stanwyck makes a difficult role seem effortless, while Fred MacMurray has some efficient moments--though his usual sneaky look continues to resemble that of a hanging judge. Leisen does excellent work with the supporting players as well (even the gross caricature of a black servant is handled with unassuming bemusement, and the actor Snowflake is fun to have around). Time is wasted with some nonsense involving a shotgun-toting farmer, but the movie always gets back on track after it missteps, and the final moments with Stanwyck and MacMurray's relatives is surprisingly bracing. *** from ****
Review of Remember the Night
