Die widerspenstige Gattin

The most curious thing about Suddenly It's Spring that I found was the fact that Fred MacMurray stayed at home and it was his on screen wife Paulette Goddard who went off to war. In real life MacMurray was both a legitimate 4F and he was the sole support of his wife and two children. He was 33 when Pearl Harbor occurred. How his on screen character managed to stay out the film doesn't tell us.

But when Paulette Goddard joins the Women's Army Corps she becomes something of a celebrity as an informal marriage counselor to separated spouses because of the war. But while she's in the service Fred's met and fallen for Arleen Whelan and as soon as Paulette will sign the papers they can get a quiet divorce.

The MacMurray/Goddard marriage is down but hardly out. She's got a few tricks up her sleeve as she slowly makes Fred reconsider divorce. I guess I can't and shouldn't tell you how it works out.

Fred MacMurray already left Paramount when his friend and favorite director Mitchell Leisen called him back had the studio sign him for this additional film. It was worth it as the script by writer/producer Claude Binyon was written with him in mind.

Fred's best moments is when he steps out of character to become a cigar smoking lout on two occasions. Won't say what they were, but it becomes part of his plan.

Getting some of the best lines in the film is Macdonald Carey who plays client and friend of MacMurray. Carey's an old rebound man and if Goddard is cut loose he'll make sure he's around at the strategic moment.

Although MacMurray was a veteran comedy master becoming one during his years at Paramount this comeback film rates right up there with those he made as a contract player. He and Goddard worked very well together and Suddenly It's Spring is a delight.