Smilin' Through

"Smilin' Through" was the only film that Jeanette MacDonald made with her husband, Gene Raymond. He looked so similar to her usual co-star Nelson Eddy that they were often mistaken for one another. Raymond did play leading roles in many 1930s films, but was not a musical star like Nelson Eddy. This film, a remake of a 1932 B/W starring Norma Shearer but this time featuring MacDonald's glorious singing, is an intriguing melodrama in the best sense of the word, and it probably would have been more famous if it did not debut on December 7, 1941. The US movie-going public had other things on their minds that day (and for nearly four years to come). A lush color musical with pacifist overtones was not among them.

Jeanette MacDonald and Gene Raymond (married in real-life) only made one film together and both were at the peak of their careers when they co-starred with Brian Aherne in this handsome remake of the older Leslie Howard-Norma Shearer tale. Brian Aherne narrates some of the story in flashback to a time when he was about to wed a young woman who was killed at the altar by a jealous suitor. He then tries to dissuade Jeanette from marrying a man who is the son of that suitor. Jeanette plays the dual role of the present-day woman and the young woman her uncle was about to wed. Jeanette is given several charming songs to sing (including 'The Kerry Dance') and has never looked more beautiful. It tends to become a bit too sentimental--an old-fashioned valentine with a candy-box look to the technicolor--but for fans of the singer this is definitely one worth viewing. Nice performance by Aherne in age make-up as the elderly uncle. Raymond, too, is seen to advantage. Pleasant lightweight entertainment, if a bit dated in style.

1932's "Smilin' Through" was one of the best films of its day....delightful and exquisitely produced. However, Hollywood of the 30s and 40s loved to remake films...and so it was inevitable that they'd remake the movie and I just finished watching the 1941 version. Sadly, the remake is in no way superior...and in a few ways it's not up to the original. Of course it's very watchable...the basic story is marvelous. But my recommendation is that you stick with the earlier version.

Instead of discussing the plot as I normally would do, I'll skip it since the film is pretty much identical to the first version. The biggest thing I didn't like about this second version is that because it starred Jeanette MacDonald, MGM insisted it had to be jam-packed with her singing...singing that was unnecessary and tended to drag the film down in the process. It became more of a musical than a romance as a result. Additionally, it makes the same mistake the original did...it used the cliche of having folks playing multiple roles. You are to expect that a man's son is identical to the father in every way...silly of course. But you ALSO are expected to accept that a niece looks completely identical to her aunt...which is way beyond silly.

So my thoughts are that you watch this 1941 version if you must, though you'd be much better off seeing the original and being done with it!

By the way, if you care, the lovers in the film were played by Jeanette MacDonald and Gene Raymond--who were married in real life.

Of course there would be no chance of casting the 1941 Technicolor musical remake of the wonderful and incredibly moving 1932 fillm, with Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Leslie Howard, aside. Have always absolutely loved Technicolor and have been blown away by it numerous times, and also musicals (or more in this case play/film with music). Have liked what has been seen of Frank Borzage's films, quite a fair bit more to see, and do like Jeanette MacDonald and have never minded at all her voice. Can take or leave Gene Raymond.

When inevitably comparing which is the better film of the 1932 and 1941 versions, there is no doubt at all in my mind which is the better of the two. Being someone who loves the former and is rather conflicted on the latter. By all means this version of 'Smilin Through' is worth a curiosity look and it is not that impossible to sit through. Everybody involved has done much better work, with it being one of not many near-misfires from Borzage.

1941's 'Smilin Through' has advantages. It is very handsomely produced and perhaps more lavish than the 1932 film, the Technicolor truly opulent and blazing quite thrillingly. The music is both beautiful and rousing, not to mention catchy. Several songs populate the film and although momentum dips a bit when they feature, they are great songs and suit MacDonald's voice very well. "Land of Hope and Glory" is quite spirit-rousing and affecting.

MacDonald, at her loveliest, also comes off well dramatically, the role(s) does stretch her and it is quite different and more complex to her usual roles but she brings charm and pathos. Aherne is sympathetic and is a lovely match for her. Parts do bring a lump to the throat, especially the church death scene.

Raymond however is a disastrous miscast, there is nothing appealing about him whatsoever and he is almost too caddish/smarmy. He also, as some have already said, has no chemistry with MacDonald, that he and she were actually married in real life yet her and Aherne's chemistry was a million times more believable is a worrying sign. Nelson Eddy would have been a much better choice. Borzage seemed neither interested or comfortable in his direction.

Just felt that way because the pace can be quite stodgy, and although it is already a complicated story it was handled far more cohesively before whereas it was near-convoluted here. It is far too melodramatic and the treacle and schmaltz, both of which the 1932 film did not do, becomes too hard to take due to the amount of them being excessive.

In summation, not a bad film but left me very conflicted. 5/10

This third film version of the play is earnest enough and MacDonald and Aherne play very well together. The Technicolor is rich and saturated, but suffers from having too many scenes filmed either indoors in dimly lit rooms or outside at night. The plot is not changed.

The problem is with Raymond. He has no chemistry with his real life wife (MacDonald) and is rather strange looking, almost smarmy. He neither interests nor excites as a love interest for Jeannette. She certainly throw herself into creating passion for his character, but he rather blandly just looks back and spouts his lines. I was wishing for Aherne's ultimatum for Jeannette to give up Raymond to be embraced fully.

Although MacDonald has songs, they are period pieces and the title tune, so it's not really a musical, just a play with music.

Still it's one of the great tearjerkers of all time (May Time, East Lynne, etc.) and should be seen, but seek out the 1932/33 version with Shearer and March. It is really the best. The 1922 silent starred Norma Talmadge, but only two prints survive and they are in archives. The straight talkie drama was deservedly nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and is the one preferred.

However, if you don't have access to it, at least watch this color version, so the beautiful and sentimental story of lost love can wash over you.