Sometimes I don't give Fred MacMurray credit. Although I usually enjoy him I don't often think of him as a good actor. SPOILER
But when he ask Barbara's mother her name and she responds "The name doesn't concern you." His delivery of "It certainly does not" gives me the chills. It just says so much of his character. Just a great scene from Preston Sturges pen.
This the the perfect reply to direct her because of the coldness and attitude she displayed towards her daughter ..Stanwyck. MacMurray immediately sized up the situation and the feelings between mother and daughter and saw where to place the blame.
shareIt's a beautiful film overall. Hadn't even heard of it two until two years ago. I like how they juxtapose her childhood theft with his.
When there are two, one betrays-Jean-Pierre Melville
I think this is an excellent movie. Great script by Sturges! The dialogue is really good, especially delivered by Stanwyck and MacMurray. She is great as usual and he is so cool - not in a noir/Double Indemnity way. His character is so folksy and down home farmboy that he doesn't even realize how cool he is :-)
Love it!
he put the smack down!
Season's Greetings!
His delivery of "It certainly does not" gives me the chills.
Yes, that film had a few moments where his dramatic chops came off well.
And then he's so sweet to Barbara when she cries outside the house. He speaks to her so kindly and gently when he assures her that she doesn't need to stay there, it comes off very naturally.
shareOne of my favorite Mitchell Leisen films. Stanwyck was wonderful.
shareI like how "Remember the Night" has "grays" in terms of morality. For example, Fred McMurray has to drive through Canada to bypass Pennsylvania because of an alleged "crime" he committed (with trumped-up charges); he tries to "throw a case" unsuccessfully; and he stole as a child but repaid his mother. I like this -- it gives him some empathy for the woman he loves.
This is one of my favorite Christmas movies, and I watch it every year.