In a unique bit of casting, Bette Davis and Robert Montgomery star in "June Bride," which also stars Fay Bainter, Mary Wickes, Tom Tully, and Barbara Bates. Davis and Montgomery haven't seen each other since he ran from their relationship three years ago, and now he is going to be working for her on the woman's magazine she heads. The two of them, plus Davis' staff, travel to Indiana to cover a wedding. With Montgomery on the story, however, things take a drastic turn.
There are some wonderful scenes in the movie, including Montgomery's hilarious drunk scene and a conversation about a bust which totally confuses the man of the house, played by Tom Tuly. And there's great banter between two pros, Davis and Montgomery. If recollection serves, Davis did not enjoy working with him. The rest of the cast is terrific.
Davis didn't do many comedies, and in a way, it's a shame, because she was always good in them: in "It's Love I'm After," "The Bride Came C.O.D.," and this film, she proved that she was as at home in comedy as she was in drama. Here she looks sophisticated and more glamorous than in many of her later films and expertly underplays the role of a steely professional - a jab instead of a stab, quiet forcefulness rather than shouting. In the '30s, '40s, and '50s, older working women were always portrayed as unmarried, tough, devoted to their careers, and loveless. This dates the film, as does its ending, not revealed in this comment. A saving grace is that the Davis character enjoys male companionship occasionally.
Robert Montgomery is, as usual, excellent, and very funny in the offhanded, smooth way he had. He and Davis play off of one another very well.
Although this is a marvelous film, its message is similar to many - a man should wear the pants and the woman belongs in the kitchen. Sadly, it brings "June Bride" down a few notches in this writer's estimation, but it's still worth seeing.
There are some wonderful scenes in the movie, including Montgomery's hilarious drunk scene and a conversation about a bust which totally confuses the man of the house, played by Tom Tuly. And there's great banter between two pros, Davis and Montgomery. If recollection serves, Davis did not enjoy working with him. The rest of the cast is terrific.
Davis didn't do many comedies, and in a way, it's a shame, because she was always good in them: in "It's Love I'm After," "The Bride Came C.O.D.," and this film, she proved that she was as at home in comedy as she was in drama. Here she looks sophisticated and more glamorous than in many of her later films and expertly underplays the role of a steely professional - a jab instead of a stab, quiet forcefulness rather than shouting. In the '30s, '40s, and '50s, older working women were always portrayed as unmarried, tough, devoted to their careers, and loveless. This dates the film, as does its ending, not revealed in this comment. A saving grace is that the Davis character enjoys male companionship occasionally.
Robert Montgomery is, as usual, excellent, and very funny in the offhanded, smooth way he had. He and Davis play off of one another very well.
Although this is a marvelous film, its message is similar to many - a man should wear the pants and the woman belongs in the kitchen. Sadly, it brings "June Bride" down a few notches in this writer's estimation, but it's still worth seeing.