They All Kissed the Bride (1942)

They All Kissed the Bride

Starring:  Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas, Roland Young, Billie Burke
Director: Alexander Hall

Writers: Andrew Solt, Gina Kaus, P.J. Wolfson, and Henry Altimus

Release Date: June 11, 1942

Running Time:  86 minutes

Synopsis: Margaret J. ("M.J.") Drew is a tough as nails career woman, running the Drew Trucking Company with an iron fist and achieving a less than pleasant reputation from her employees.  While she has time to arrange for her overly emotional younger sister to marry the right kind of man, she has no time for a personal life of her own, especially in the romance department.  Until she meets Mike, who not only sweeps her off her feet but brings out the softer side of M.J.

Flick Facts:

* The role of M. J. Drew was originally slated for Carole Lombard, who was killed in a January 1942 plane crash after filming had already begun.  Joan Crawford stepped into the role and donated her entire salary ($128,000) to the Red Cross in Lombard's name.  
* When Crawford's agent took his usual 10% commission for this movie, instead of donating it as she had done, Crawford promptly fired him. 
*  At the time, Crawford was contracted to MGM.  As this was a Columbia Pictures production, the film's end credits state: "Miss Crawford appears through the courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer."
* Billie Burke, who played Crawford's mother in this film, is perhaps best known as Glinda The Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz. 
* Originally a dancer prior to being signed by MGM, Crawford does a little bit of dancing (and slight singing) as M.J.  Her dancing, in fact, is the jitterbug, a throwback to the dancing she did in the 20s.
* Cinematographer Joseph Walker reportedly used a special lavender lighting technique on Crawford to enhance the brilliance of her eyes.
* This was the fourth and final film pairing of Joan Crawford and Melvyn Douglas (the previous three being The Gorgeous Hussy in 1936, The Shining Hour in 1938 and A Woman's Face in 1941).
* The original print ads for They All Kissed the Bride had taglines of A TENDER WARMLY HUMAN ROMANCE! and There's Never Anything Wrong with a Woman That a Man's Lips Won't Cure.
*  The working title was originally He Kissed the Bride.
*  "The title was silly, but the picture had a nice flair, and it came off better than anyone expected." - Joan Crawford

She Said, He Said:

* "Do forgive me, Margaret says I have no control."

* "Are you sure when Margaret was born they didn't make a mistake at the hospital and give you the wrong brat?"


Chic Chick Sounds:


No soundtrack for obvious reasons for this movie classic but Joan does sing "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby"  (Johnny Mercer/Harry Warren). 

Joan Crawford wasn't known for comedy and she only acted in two screwball-type comedies during her long career, which is an absolute shame for us viewers.  While I do like Susan and God (her other screwball role), it's They All Kissed the Bride that really holds my affection. 

Crawford excelled in her women's roles (just check out Mildred Pierce, A Woman's Face or Possessed if you have any doubts) but under the right direction and with the right co-star, she obviously could pull her weight in comedies as well and it's nowhere more apparent than with her portrayal of M.J. Drew. 

Crawford had a truly phenomenal chemistry with Melvyn Douglas, her leading man here and in other films, and that was no easy feat as Crawford possessed a strong and almost overwhelming screen presence.  Many a leading man was nearly devoured by her on screen but perhaps Douglas worked so well due to his polar opposite laid back and humorous personality?  Regardless, these two made their portrayals of M.J. and Mike a delight and a joy. 

And to be utterly and completely shallow . . . Crawford was absolutely stunning in this picture.  She was at the height of her beauty, before Warner Bros. made her severe and angular.  She wears her hair longer and fluffier and she looks downright radiant.  Her face is appealingly soft when she realizes she has fallen for Mike.  Awwww. . .

 Best Parts of They All Kissed the Bride:  Any scene with Joan Crawford and/or Melvyn Douglas.  Their chemistry was real and although the two were never involved off camera, they appeared to genuinely like one another and enjoy working together (or they at least used some incredible acting prowess!).  Second to that, the dance contest scenes are a real joy.

Worst Parts of They All Kissed the Bride:   None, really. 

Spawns and Sequels:   The overall theme of They All Kissed the Bride has likely been remade throughout the decades but, sadly, this would be Crawford's last zany type of comedy, as well as her last film appearance with Melvyn Douglas.  She would return to Columbia Pictures for Sudden Fear in 1952.

The Final Word:   Any fan, existing or new, of Joan Crawford absolutely must view They All Kissed the Bride, not only to see how lovely Joan looked at the time but also to see her portray a strong businesswoman who is tough and yet tender and who doesn't lose her strength by gaining the love of a man.   Despite being made in 1942, the overall theme of  They All Kissed the Bride hasn't dated and the movie has been remade in many different incarnations over the decades, with professional women finding love. 

They All Kissed the Bride is available for purchase at Amazon through the following link:

http://astore.amazon.com/psychstate0e-20/detail/6304328966