EssenceStory
Well Deserved Praise
Jacomedi
A Surprisingly Unforgettable Movie!
Noelle
The movie is surprisingly subdued in its pacing, its characterizations, and its go-for-broke sensibilities.
edwagreen
Perfect example of the screwball comedy of the 1930s and 1940s is "Affectionately Yours."Ralph Bellamy seemed to be stuck in the part of the prospective bridegroom who never quite makes it down the aisle to matrimonial bliss. The film also gave Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly Queen the opportunity to work again 2 years after the memorable "Gone With the Wind." Sadly, their talents were basically wasted here. McDaniel again is cunning and sly as a maid but she is given little material to work with. Ditto for McQueen who reminded me in "Mildred Pierce" of introducing all guests coming into the house. She is forever crying and after all, she isn't exactly burping those babies as she did 2 years before.The film would have been better had there been some international intrigue as the Dennis Morgan part was that of a foreign reporter. Here we have wife Merle Oberon divorcing Dennis because he is rarely around. The picture is devoted to Morgan trying to woo wife Merle back. Bellamy is her new beau and Rita Hayworth plays a reporter with designs on Morgan as well. James Gleason is Morgan's boss who only sees breaking up the latter with his wife so that he can get the most out of him work-wise.The ending is almost slapstick-like and not much appreciated.
Neil Doyle
There's a silly plot about a philanderer (DENNIS MORGAN) who wants to play the field while in Lisbon on a journalistic assignment and making a play for lovely RITA HAYWORTH. But as soon as he finds out his wife is divorcing him, he's back in the USA plotting a way to win back her affection to make her jealous.Under Lloyd Bacon's direction, this is a formula screwball comedy that hasn't got enough wit to make it shine and relies heavily on the cast to give it some life. Morgan is only mildly amusing in his attempt to play a comic role with GEORGE TOBIAS getting some of the best lines. But Rita does well as a flirtatious lady who'd like to take him away from Merle and RALPH BELLAMY is good in another one of his thankless roles as the man who loses the girl.Despite the cast, it's too trite to be really enjoyable and the gags just don't work. Even HATTIE McDANIEL and BUTTERFLY McQUEEN are ill used for whatever laughs the script can spare. The slapstick ending with Morgan pretending to be an accident case, just strains credibility until the finish.Not worth your time.
MartinHafer
In the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Ralph Bellamy had a peculiar niche in films. He was cast as the boyfriend who will lose the leading lady by the end of the film in approximately 48230 films (give or take). Again and again, you KNOW by the end of the movie he'll be left alone, so when I saw him dating Dennis Morgan's ex-wife (Merle Oberon) in this movie, I knew he'd be a miserable loser eventually!The film begins with Morgan learning that his wife's divorce is final and he connives to get her back--though she's now with Bellamy(!) of all people! So, he's off to get her...and pretty Rita Hayworth is following, as she wants him and is thrilled that he's now divorced. While all of this is reasonably enjoyable, I couldn't help thinking that I've seen similar films many times--and often the other films were a bit better. After all, while Moran and Oberon were fine, the likes of Cary Grant, Irene Dunne or Rosalind Russell simply were better. My advice is see "The Awful Truth", "His Girl Friday"or "My Favorite Wife" instead. The plots are rather similar (and some even feature Bellamy as the sap) and are just better--better written, acted and directed.The verdict--a good film but nothing especially new.
steveareno
I absolutely loved this story!Rita Hayworth,Merle Oberon and Dennis Morgan are energetic and entertaining throughout this whole film.Ralph Bellamy doesn't get the girl,but he's great anyway.Merle Oberon once commented that she thought this movie "was a real dud..I hate it!"She conceded that her children did like it.I thought it was wonderful and I love when Dennis ties Merle's foot to something on the pier and after struggling to get away...can't budge!She falls over into the water and catches a cold...which leads to Morgan and Bellamy arguing over who gets Merle.You'll have to watch this film to find out what happens!
