Perfect Strangers, also released as Too Dangerous to Love in some territories, is a 1950 American comedy-drama film directed by Bretaigne Windust.[1][2] Edith Sommer wrote the screenplay from an adaptation written by George Oppenheimer, based on the 1939 play Ladies and Gentlemen by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht.[3] The film stars Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan as two jurors who fall in love while sequestered during a murder trial. Thelma Ritter, Margalo Gillmore, and Anthony Ross co-star in supporting roles.
| Perfect Strangers | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Bretaigne Windust |
| Screenplay by | Edith Sommer George Oppenheimer (adaptation) |
| Based on | |
| Produced by | Jerry Wald |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Peverell Marley |
| Edited by | David Weisbart |
| Music by | Leigh Harline |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film was released by Warner Bros. on March 24, 1950, and received mixed to negative reviews from critics.[4][5]
Plot
editTerry Scott (Ginger Rogers), who is separated from her husband, and unhappily married David Campbell (Dennis Morgan), the father of two children, meet when they are selected to serve on the jury of the Los Angeles trial of Ernest Craig (Ford Rainey). The defendant is charged with murdering his wife when she refused to grant him a divorce. David attempts to get out of being a juror. Terry Scott attempts to persuade the rest of the jury that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty. While sequestered during the lengthy proceedings, Terry and David get to know each other and fall in love. Some dramatic tension is added to the plot by juror Isobel Bradford (Margalo Gillmore), a snobby socialite who tries to sway the panel to vote for the death penalty. Due to the mix of personalities, and cramped quarters, other tensions, some comical, arise between the fellow jurors.
Cast
edit- Ginger Rogers as Theresa "Terry" Scott
- Dennis Morgan as David Campbell
- Thelma Ritter as Lena Fassler
- Margalo Gillmore as Mrs. Isobel Bradford
- Anthony Ross as Robert "Bob" Fisher
- Howard Freeman as Arthur Timkin
- Alan Reed as Harry Patullo
- Paul Ford as Judge Byron
- Harry Bellaver as Bailiff
- George Chandler as Lester Hubley
- Frank Conlan as John Brokaw
- Charles Meredith as Lyle Pettijohn
- Marjorie Bennett as Mrs. Moore
- Edith Evanson as Mary Travers
- Sumner Getchell as John Simon
Unbilled (in order of appearance)
- Ford Rainey as Ernest Craig
- Whit Bissell as Defense attorney
- Ned Glass as O'Hanlon
- Creighton Hale as Reporter
- Frank Marlowe as Reporter
- Frank Cady as Geologist
- Isabel Withers
- Weldon Heyburn
Production
editProduction on the film took place from late June to early August 1949.[5] The film marked a reunion between Rogers and Morgan, who had previously co-starred together as lovers in the highly successful Kitty Foyle; since that pairing, Rogers had notably become a free agent in Hollywood. Margalo Gillmore was a friend of Ladies and Gentleman writers Hecht and MacArthur.[3]
Critical reception
editThe film received mixed reviews from critics. In his review in The New York Times, Bosley Crowther described the film as "modest entertainment" of which "the limits of plausibility are unmistakably stretched";[6] The romance elements were negatively reviewed, a much different reception than the Rogers/Morgan pairing had received for Kitty Foyle. A review for Rotarian magazine said the storyline "lacks motivation and hence will not claim much of your sympathy."[3] Crowther had similar feelings, stating "Miss Rogers and Mr. Morgan are pretty dreary throughout the film. However, their fellow jurors are a remarkably entertaining lot, picturesque in theatrical fashion, and the minor salvation of the show."[6] Crowther did, however, praise Windust's direction, stating that "in spite of the weak script, Bretaigne Windust has done the best with his batch of characters... Jerry Wald, who produced for Warners, should thank him more than the writers, one and all."[3][6]
References
edit- ^ Variety film review; March 1, 1950, page 6.
- ^ Harrison's Reports film review; March 4, 1950, page 35.
- ^ a b c d Lorraine LoBianco. "Perfect Strangers (1950)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ "Perfect Strangers (1950) Film Details". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "Perfect Strangers (1950)". American Film Institute. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c New York Times review