January Jumble: Guest Wife (1945)

In the collections of every classic movie fan languish neglected films that we’ve had for ages but never quite gotten around to. This January, we tackle a quartet of films that we’ve owned and been meaning to get around to for quite some time.

RODNEY BOWCOCK: In Guest Wife (1945), Claudette Colbert and Dick Foran are Mary and Christopher Price, a charming young couple in smalltown Ohio just about to embark on a second honeymoon in New York when Chris’ college pal Joe Parker (Don Ameche) blows into town unexpectedly with a problem. Seems that in order to impress his boss while overseas, he has fabricated a lovely wife, sending pictures and letters in exchange for hearty bonuses and gifts. It also seems that he used Mary’s picture as his wife’s. Now Joe is being sent back to New York to accept an award and is expected to bring his wife with him. Big hearted and amiable, Chris agrees to let Joe head to New York with them, willing to loan his wife out to Joe for the evening. The plan falls apart when Chris misses his train and Joe and Mary find themselves to be the toast of the town with Chris stuck in Ohio. Once he finally makes it to the city, it only serves to complicate things.

SAMANTHA GLASSER: In spite of the fact that the men in her life put her in a terrible position, this is a movie where Mary takes control of the situation to have some fun. She turns the boys' "kibble" against them. There is a scene in a bar when Joe wants Mary to talk to his girlfriend Susy (Wilma Francis) to assure her that they will be getting a divorce and that he is a free man. She pretends to do so, but projects heartbreak instead, and Wilma backs off, not wanting to destroy another woman. This scene really struck me for its emotional component and because Susy was so willing to stand up for another woman at her own expense even though she didn't know her.

RB: The film tends to be more dependent than usual on the personalities of the stars, but when those stars are Don Ameche and Claudette Colbert, that’s not really a problem. They had been paired once before, and would be again a couple of years later. Colbert is wonderful as always and Ameche is fantastic in a role as an unsavory character that is actually quite likeable in his handling.

SG: Colbert and Ameche had profit-sharing built into their contracts for this film, so they worked hard to make it a good one. The film was shot from November 1944 into January and cost $1,750,000 to make. Ameche and his wife attending the press screenings.

Ameche is perfect in sophisticated light comedies like this. Colbert is glamorous as always, but the 40s styles don't suit her the way the 30s did. Chris jokes that her new hat looks like an ashtray, and in one scene she wears what looks like a yarmulke with her curls spilling out around it. Her hair reminds me of grandmas of the 90s whose hair was perpetually permed in this short fluffy style. Film Bulletin disagreed, saying, "The amazing Miss Colbert, who is equally effective in farce or drama, gives a sparkling portrayal and, as always, she makes a smartly-gowned appearance." Colbert selected her own costumes.

Director Sam Wood said, "Claudette has a thorough understanding of picture-making, and if she ever had a desire to do so, I'm certain she would make a successful director, because as I have already said, she does not think of her scenes as individual scenes, but constantly has the picture as a whole in her mind. She is quick to grasp, and never hesitates to accept, a good suggestion. Nor will she hesitate to argue if she doesn't agree. But she is not obstinate if she is subsequently convinced." For example, they disagreed on how she should play the scene in the taxi at the beginning of the movie. He let her try it her way, but when she saw the rushes, she changed her mind and played it his way.

RB: Dick Foran had been away on the Great White Way after a career that had largely consisted of leading and supporting roles in Universal B films and serials like Horror Island, Private Buckaroo and Riders of Death Valley. He’s good in this, but not particularly noteworthy. After this, he would be back in the sorts of roles that he was doing before (but as a free agent this time) until he moved into a long career in television.

SG: There are lots of fun moments in this movie, like when Joe and Mary go to the office to talk to his boss and are met by a office full of movie cameras, or when Mary insists Joe sleep on the porch during a rainstorm and he uses the rug to form a makeshift tent around him.

RB: You love character actors, and we love character actors. This film has a bushel of them. Chester Clute, Irving Bacon, Grady Sutton, Ed Gargan, Spec O’ Donnell, even Gertrude Astor.

SG: Clute has a running joke about his foot obsession. (He sells shoes.) Grant Mitchell plays a suspicious hotel detective on hand to make sure no shenanigans take place in his hotel. No wonder so many unmarrieds in movies registered as Mr. and Mrs. These places were strict!

RB: Local theater owners were more or less pleased with these proceedings:

“Your crowd will get a few laughs if they like sophisticated comedies of this sort,” noted Terry Axley, New Theatre, England, Ark.

“An enjoyable comedy. It kept the audience in hearty laughter throughout. Claudette Colbert is very popular here. Picture did fair business in excellent weather,” agreed Thomas di Lorenzo, New Paltz Theatre, New Paltz, N Y.

Of course, not everyone was on board with this thinking. “Sorry I paid the price I did for this picture. Did not go over big. Just made expenses. Just a fair comedy.” - Louis A. Perretta, Crescent Theatre, Mahowington, Pa.

SG: Showmen's Trade Review said, "Some moviegoers demand credibility, whether they choose comedy or drama; others, where comedy is concerned, can readily dismiss credibility if the results tickle their risibilities. It is to this latter group — and those it includes are not in the minority by any means— that Guest Wife will have the greatest appeal."

After explaining the plot, Screenland's reviewer said, "Get it? Neither did we, but we did have a pretty good time laughing at some of the situations."

The film has aged well because the people seeking movies like this out are likely familiar with the screwball genre where logic doesn't play a big role. If you're a fan of these actors and of seeing how they fare in improbable situations, this one is for you. Four stars.

RB: During the making of the film, at one point the title changed from Guest Wife to What a Woman Wants before changing back. It’s full of code pushing situations and double entendre which makes for a snappy script with an attractive and likable cast. What’s not to like? Four stars for a movie that I think the casual fan would really enjoy.