Vivacious Lady (1938)

Intro.

Vivacious Lady was one of those films I hadn't planned on watching, but when I saw it come on television, I was happily surprised.  As a part of a Ginger Rogers marathon, the film emphasized how great she was even without Fred Astaire.  I especially liked Robert Osborne's commentary on the film.  Apparently the film had been delayed several times because RKO had to borrow Jimmy Stewart from his home studio.  And the good rapport between Jimmy and Ginger existed off stage too, as they used to double-date with Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball.  How cool is that?

Overview

Jimmy Stewart plays Peter Morgan, a shy, conservative professor of botany who, on a trip to New York City, meets glamorous nightclub singer Francey (Ginger Rogers).  As he gets to know her, he realizes that she is very down to earth and a perfect match for him.  They fall in love, marry, then take the train back to his home town of Old Sharon.  Peter, afraid that his parents will object to Francey's way of life, suggests that she stay with his cousin, Keith (James Ellison) while he tries to explain the situation to them.  He also has to explain it to Jenny (Phyllis Kennedy), the blue-blooded woman to whom he is engaged (or was engaged!).  A lot of twists and turns prevent Peter from confronting his father with the truth and keeps the couple apart.  The best parts include Francey attending Peter's botany class as an eager new student, an all out fist-fight between Jenny and Francey, and straight-laced Peter drinking a lot of alcohol during his class.  It all ends with a tearful Jenny and her mother-in-law leaving their husbands and then a train-stopping finale.   

Highlights

Robert Osborne said at the film's introduction how difficult it would be to find the right actor to make the role of Peter believable.  If anyone could do it, that person was definitely Jimmy Stewart.  He makes Peter a quiet, somewhat awkward professor without turning him into a bumbling, absent-minded researcher.  Charles Coburn and Beulah Bondi both give good performances as his parents and get almost as many laughs as the main couple.

Ginger Rogers really makes this film.  She is graceful and charming, with a good measure of sass.  She delivers some stunning one liners with perfect comedic timing.  Her performance reminded me of a softer version of her character in Stage Door - sweet and good-natured with a razor sharp wit beneath those blond curls.  Anyone who thinks she's just Fred's dance partner obviously hasn't seen her other films - and definitely should.   

Review

Vivacious Lady is one of those old fashioned romantic comedies where the emphasis was on the comedy.  It's little known, but definitely worth watching to see Ginger Rogers and Jimmy Stewart together.  My only complaint (and it's minor) is that we don't get to see Ginger and Jimmy dance.  That would've made it a 10+.  Anyway, it's a fun, light movie with endearing characters.  You won't be disappointed!