Cluny Brown

"There was nothing important going on in London on a quiet Sunday afternoon in June 1938. The most exciting event of the day was Mr. Hilary Ames' cocktail party --- and even that was exciting only to Mr. Ames." So begins Ernst Lubitsch's Cluny Brown. And it's at Ames' place where the titular character (Jennifer Jones) is introduced.

Many of the other characters find Cluny's behavior surprising (and not often in a good way) because she doesn't meet society's standards for being a lady (she's deeply interested in plumbing). Adam Belinski (Charles Boyer), however, finds Cluny endearing. And from there, the hijinks ensue.

This being a Lubitsch film, Cluny Brown takes a lot of potshots at how class is perceived as a whole. A number of supporting characters don't deny that how they're viewed by others is crucial to their well-being. But with Cluny and Adam, that's not their main concern; they just want to lead happy lives.

Both Jones and Boyer have had their fair share of more serious works prior to Cluny Brown (she with The Song of Bernadette and Since You Went Away, he with Gaslight and Hold Back the Dawn) so it was an interesting move on Lubitsch's part. Though not the usual fare for the two actors, they have solid comedic timing and chemistry together.

Cluny Brown was a fine note for Lubitsch to go out on. (He passed away the following year.) Its two leads may not have done another film together after this one but their time together in this results in a one-of-a-kind treat. (Speaking of which, why didn't they reunite on screen? More than likely that Jones' future husband David O. Selznick might've had some part in that.)

My Rating: ****

Ninotchka

Social commentary in film was very common during World War II. Try as the audience might, they couldn't escape what was going on in the world outside of the theater.

One such film was Ernst Lubtisch's Ninotchka. It provided a depiction of conformity in a particular country yet showed a lighthearted tale set in another more independent country, all while showcasing that trademark charm of his.

But the charm of Ninotchka isn't entirely from Lubitsch. One of the film's writers was Billy Wilder. (And y'all know my thoughts on him.) Sure, the film feels more Wilder than Lubitsch at certain points, but the amount of class throughout is pure Lubitsch.

The stars of Ninotchka are Melvyn Douglas and Greta Garbo, both fine actors from back in the day. Douglas displays class that was common among leading men of that era yet he has an aura that was different than that of, say, Gary Cooper. Garbo naturally showcases her exotic beauty while at the same time proving she can do comedy with ease. (You probably never would've thought that after seeing Camille, would you?)

Ninotchka is very clever, but that's expected from a script co-written by Wilder. Douglas and Garbo are great in their roles, being classy but not overdoing it. Released during the great movie year of 1939, it's clear to see why Ninotchka is one of the best of that year.

My Rating: *****

Design for Living

The pre-code films of Hollywood always got the raciest subjects on full display. Many of them were bold displays long before they were expected features in today's films.

Ernst Lubitsch's Design for Living focuses on a subject that is fodder for comedies today: the menage a trois. Of course, this was when risky material was still allowed more or less on screen. Lubitsch gets it without getting too risky.

The stars of Design for Living are Gary Cooper, Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins. All three play their parts wonderfully simply because they are their characters. Cooper and March possess charm like no other while Hopkins is wise-cracking and clever. Again, like their characters.

Personally, it comes as surprise that Design for Living has a divine balance of comedic timing among its stars. Then again, this is a Lubitsch film after all. It's practically expected. That's why it's called "the Lubitsch touch".

Design for Living is quite a clever little film. The actors are great, the story sizzles and it just flat out works in a short running time. Graciously, the Criterion Collection gave it an upgrade, so be sure to check it out.

My Rating: *****

The Shop Around the Corner

When an old movie needed an actor to play the likable lead, the first choice was always Jimmy Stewart. For good reason too. He had this nature that makes people notice him.

He and Margaret Sullavan are Alfred Kralik and Klara Novak, bickering co-workers at a department store. Unbeknown to both of them, they're pen pals falling in love with each other.

I'm not a fan of romance movies, but I'm a sucker for the old ones. I like the old ones because they weren't forced like the current ones; they focus on the slow-burning passion between the two lovers.

Stewart, as usual, had me smiling from his performance. The Shop Around the Corner is one of the sweetest movies I've seen. Like It's a Wonderful Life and Harvey before it, I was smiling from ear to ear from the ending.

My Rating: *****