MovieChat Forums > In Name Only (1939) Discussion > Lombard improvising?

Lombard improvising?

posted 11 years ago by SAMRubinsky
2 replies | jump to latest

There's a nice, lighthearted telephone scene that cuts between Carole Lombard and Cary Grant. They're discussing the a great paycheck she just received and also her invitation to work in Paris.

Suddenly, Lombard grabs the air, cups her hand and slams it to the floor, like she's catching a bug and smashing it. It's an odd moment having nothing to do with the scene.

Anyway, Lombard was famous for being delightfully unpredictable on the set. Was she improvising or was there really a bug on set?

[–] liscarkat (19427) 3 years ago

I doubt it was in the script. My guess (and I would go so far as to bet some money on it, if there were any way to find out) is that as she was doing the scene, she spotted a small bug flitting around and spontaneously snatched it. Brilliant!

[–] ungakhan (49) 3 years ago

I watched it again several times and my feeling is that she was acting. Slightly odd and unnecessary thing to do I admit but it looked a bit fake. The way she squished it didn't look right to me.