My Life with Caroline (1941)
Directed by Lewis Milestone

Comedy

Film Review

Abstract picture representing My Life with Caroline (1941)
One of the grimmest comedies to which Ronald Colman put his name, My Life with Caroline also marked a low point for director Lewis Milestone, the man who we all remember for his dazzling anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front (1930).  The film is a sloppy and unimaginative remake of André Berthomieu's French film Le Train pour Venise (1938), which was itself based on Louis Verneuil's popular stage play of the same name.  Unlike Verneuil's play, which is reputed to be a lively farce, Milestone's film is an anaemic talk-a-thon which offers not a single decent laugh but plenty of minutes of mind-numbing tedium.  Anna Lee singularly fails to shine in her first lead Hollywood role, and you wonder what induced an actor of Ronald Colman's standing to lend his name to such an inept, life-sapping enterprise as this.  Plodding and repetitive to the point of nausea, My Life with Caroline has not improved with age and now feels hopelessly dated.
© James Travers 2013
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.
Next Lewis Milestone film:
Edge of Darkness (1943)

Film Synopsis

Anthony Mason is a successful publisher who, far from being concerned about his wife Caroline's dalliances with other men, positively relishes the challenge of winning her back to him.  Caroline's latest beau is Paco Del Valle, with whom she plans to elope whilst attending a charity ball in Idaho.  Before the lovers can flee, Anthony turns up and recalls an almost identical situation a few years ago, when Caroline had made up her mind to run off with a sculptor, Paul Martindale...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by frenchfilms.org and must not be copied.


Film Credits

  • Director: Lewis Milestone
  • Script: Louis Verneuil (play), Georges Berr (play), John Van Druten, Arnold Belgard
  • Cinematographer: Victor Milner
  • Music: Werner R. Heymann
  • Cast: Ronald Colman (Anthony Mason), Anna Lee (Caroline Mason), Charles Winninger (Mr. Bliss), Reginald Gardiner (Paul Martindale), Gilbert Roland (Paco Del Valle), Kay Leslie (Helen), Hugh O'Connell (Muirhead - Butler), Murray Alper (Jenkins - Chauffeur), Matt Moore (Walters, Mason's Butler), Brooks Benedict (Croupier), Richard Carle (Reverend Dr. Curtis), Feodor Chaliapin Jr. (Sky Man), Monte Collins (Counterman-Chef), James Conaty (Alpine Charity Bazaar Guest), Janine Crispin (Delta), Dudley Dickerson (Bathroom Attendant), Jay Eaton (Beach Club Waiter), Jim Farley (Railroad Conductor), Robert Greig (Albert), Buck Mack (Waiter)
  • Country: USA
  • Language: English / French
  • Support: Black and White
  • Runtime: 81 min

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