Margaret Sullavan (1909–1960)

Margaret Sullavan’s waif-like delicacy proved perfect for this William Wyler film adaptation of Ferenc Molnar’s fanciful play about a young orphan who causes confusion by trying to do a good deed and ends up finding love in the process. Wyler also fell under Sullavan’s spell while filming this and the two became a couple.

A fabulous cast that includes Frank Morgan, Herbert Marshall, Eric Blore, Beulah Bondi, and Reginald Owen in a comic gem of a performance, act out Preston Sturges screenplay to marvelous perfection. Wyler and Sullavan let the charm slowly build, each new ingredient adding to its flavor until this sweet and delicate confection can’t be resisted.

Luisa (Margaret Sullavan) gets a chance to leave the orphanage for the first time to work as an usherette in a movie theatre called The Dream Palace. It is there that she meets waiter Reginald Owen and they have a fanciful friendship, he trying the entire film to protect her innocence from Frank Morgan’s Konrad, a rich meat exporter who has fallen under Luisa’s spell, but not fully realizing that she is genuine.

Complications arise when she makes up a white lie about being already married and picks idealistic lawyer, Max Sporum, out of the phone book to be her wedded husband. He falls under Luisa’s spell also, yet is totally unaware that Konrad has made him a rich attorney because Luisa is his good fairy. Luisa begins to fall under the spell of Max’s simple yet charming ideals, until the inevitable occurs and everyone discovers the truth.

Frothy and lighter than air, this film slowly works its way into your heart until you too fall under Sullavan's spell. Owen is terrific as her protector and has some wonderful moments. Perhaps the most memorable scene is between Luisa and Max on the phone, when she tells him tearfully, “Think of me kindly. Almost…almost as if I loved you.”

This early 1930s film has a bit of sophistication similar to foreign films. It requires more of an attention span than filmgoers of today are used to but is well worth the effort. Remade in a slightly more American fashion as a Deanna Durbin vehicle, “I’ll Be Yours,” which is also highly recommended. Film buffs, and fans of Sullavan especially, don't want to miss this one.… (altro)