Beautifully wrought picture with exquisite performances from the two leads. Margaret Sullavan was truly one of the most effective actresses of the golden age, able to wring the most genuine emotions out of any situation. The brevity of her filmography is really a shame. Much more comfortable on stage than film she was reportedly difficult to work with because of her discomfort with the medium but even with that delivered the goods once the camera started to turn. She and Jimmy made a great team since her slightly bruised fragility always blended so well with his gentle naiveté. The story is just a boy meets girl tale with a few twists but because of the stars as well as Walter Pidgeon, complicating matters but also being wise and warm, and the always amazing Hattie McDaniel, being her usual flip self it remains involving throughout. The ending is heartbreaking in its simplicity.
Review of The Shopworn Angel
