I love Thelma Ritter and I was thrilled to finally see her in a film where she was the main character. I am so used to her being a rough but sympathetic character in a film noir or Doris Day's anything but sober housekeeper...this was a wonderful revelation. Thelma Ritter's character Mae Swasey is a sympathetic if not melancholic individual who helps the lovelorn find a love connection for a small $500 commission. She meets the lovely clothing model Kitty Bennett, played by Jeanne Crain
(who gets top billing in this film), by accident and takes it upon herself to speak up about a letter she reads when their purses are accidentally swapped.
"When people want to alibi their bad manners, I notice they always bring up their age."-Kitty
You see Kitty is on the cusp of potentially breaking up a marriage. Mae feels strongly enough to speak up and try and give Kitty some hard earned advice...and even goes out in the pouring rain to get rid of the married man to give Kitty extra time to think it over.
"This way you haven't got another woman's unhappiness on your conscience."-Mae
This is a wonderful George Cukor classic that I highly recommend. It deals with human nature, the need for a connection and not facing some of the challenges or realities of that basic human need. Jeanne Crain Is beautiful and may have received top billing...but this film is all about Thelma Ritter's character Mae. You can definitely say that she steals this show. I loved the character of Doberman played by Michael O'Shea and I was really pleased that he could provide a much needed happy ending for one of our characters. I enjoyed the twist provided where you think that Mae has been in Kitty's shoes...which is cleared up when an Emmy Swasey appears. It was fun to see some different professions optometry, x-ray tech, matchmaker, secretary, clothing model, etc. And I really appreciated some of the different sets used from a wedding venue, to an office building, to a bowling alley, to a private residence...it gave the film some added depth. Some of the smaller interactions like those between Mae and the office secretary were some of my favorite scenes...especially since they tie back in to the story.
This is on my recommendation list. I think if you enjoy classic films this is a rather nice (if melancholy) look at a basic human need and if you are a romantic you might also appreciate this film. For sure it is a must see for both Thelma Ritter and George Cukor fans.
"When people want to alibi their bad manners, I notice they always bring up their age."-Kitty
You see Kitty is on the cusp of potentially breaking up a marriage. Mae feels strongly enough to speak up and try and give Kitty some hard earned advice...and even goes out in the pouring rain to get rid of the married man to give Kitty extra time to think it over.
"This way you haven't got another woman's unhappiness on your conscience."-Mae
This is a wonderful George Cukor classic that I highly recommend. It deals with human nature, the need for a connection and not facing some of the challenges or realities of that basic human need. Jeanne Crain Is beautiful and may have received top billing...but this film is all about Thelma Ritter's character Mae. You can definitely say that she steals this show. I loved the character of Doberman played by Michael O'Shea and I was really pleased that he could provide a much needed happy ending for one of our characters. I enjoyed the twist provided where you think that Mae has been in Kitty's shoes...which is cleared up when an Emmy Swasey appears. It was fun to see some different professions optometry, x-ray tech, matchmaker, secretary, clothing model, etc. And I really appreciated some of the different sets used from a wedding venue, to an office building, to a bowling alley, to a private residence...it gave the film some added depth. Some of the smaller interactions like those between Mae and the office secretary were some of my favorite scenes...especially since they tie back in to the story.
This is on my recommendation list. I think if you enjoy classic films this is a rather nice (if melancholy) look at a basic human need and if you are a romantic you might also appreciate this film. For sure it is a must see for both Thelma Ritter and George Cukor fans.