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The DVD of this movie that I received from Netflix paired it with another Irene Dunne comedy vehicle, the 1936 release "Theodora Goes Wild," and I can see why. "Together Again" (a generic title, by the way, and one that doesn't even really make much sense), borrows many plot points from that earlier film and rearranges them just enough to prevent this film from being a straight remake.

Dunne plays the upstanding mayor of a provincial town who resists falling for an artist from the city (Charles Boyer) when she hires him to create a new statue for the town square. The statue happens to be of her late husband, the town's previous mayor, whose legacy Dunne has spent the years since his death trying to live up to. She becomes involved in a minor scandal while staying in the city, and tries to keep it from the town once she returns. But Boyer playfully uses it to blackmail her into accepting his advances. An additional storyline involving Dunne's daughter and her boyfriend adds some amusing complications to the situation.

This film is a little bit of nothing, but it's cute and entertaining. It doesn't make any sense; plot developments spring out of thin air, and characters turn on a dime. But Dunne and Boyer make a good pair, and it's easy to see why they collaborated frequently. They have a lot of chemistry, and I've never liked Boyer better than here where he gets to show his comedic charming side. Terrific character actor Charles Coburn plays Dunne's father-in-law, whose purpose in life is to get Dunne married again. Some of the film's funniest moments come from hearing the things he says about his own granddaughter, a neurotic teenager who drives him crazy.

There's a clever little weather motif running through the film that I liked very much and that ties the otherwise scattershot screenplay together rather nicely.

Grade: B

Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer are "Together Again" in this 1944 comedy, which also stars Charles Coburn, Mona Freeman, and Jerome Courtland.

Dunne plays Anne Crandall, widow of a small-town mayor. She has inherited his post and lives with her stepdaughter (Freeman) and her father-in-law (Coburn). Crandall Sr. (Coburn) wants Anne to get out and enjoy life, but Anne, in very un-'40s style, enjoys her career and life and doesn't need a man. One night, during a thunderstorm, lightning strikes the statue of her husband in the town square and knocks off his head. Anne is rushed to New York City to interview George Corday (Boyer), a sculptor to do a new statue. There's an instant attraction, which Anne pretends doesn't exist. After a series of misadventures, Anne decides she doesn't want Corday in her hometown, and leaves New York. He follows.

Dunne looks great and shows her wonderful comic style, and Boyer just drips with charm in this. Coburn does a good job as her irascible father-in-law. Jerome Courtland is Diana's (Freeman) boyfriend, and he does a nice comic turn. A very young Freeman turns in a good performance as Diana.

I read some negative reviews here. I found this to be a delightful comedy, thanks in large part to both Dunne and Boyer, with good support from Coburn. Is it The Philadelphia Story? No, but it's very enjoyable. And those hats! Killers.

Fun teaming of Dunne and Boyer in a nice little comedy with good performances by all.

Dunne plays a widow who is mayor of a small Vermont town. She goes off to New York City to interview a sculptor (Boyer) for a town project but gets involved in a nightclub raid after she is mistaken for the stripper. Back in Vermont Dunne tries to forget Boyer but he shows up and moves into her garage to sculpt.

Dunne is goaded into "life" again by her father-in-law (Charles Coburn) and dramatic teen step-daughter (Mona Freeman). This get funny when Freeman thinks Boyer has proposed to her. To get even Dunne traps gawky teen (Jerome Courtland) into proposing to her. The four spar back and forth with Coburn get more and more confused until things finally straighten out.

Good support from Elizabeth Patterson, Charles Dingle, Janis Carter, Adele Jergens, Carl Switzer, Nora Cecil, Nina Mae McKinney, and Hobart Cavanaugh. Shelley Winters has a bit part.

Dunne and Boyer had great chemistry and three made films together.

Some fun big names in this one... Charles Coburn (Jonathan) was awesome in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".... Anne is played by Irene Dunn, who had made a whole bunch of films with Cary Grant. Lots of talking right at the beginning, and we hear how Mayor Anne Crandall has always been the straight arrow, putting others' needs before her own. This story has quite a bit in common with "Key to the City" from 1950. Small town mayor goes traveling to the big city, makes unwanted headlines, the troubles begin... although "Key" was MGM, "Together Again" was Columbia Pictures.. AND it came first. Although, honestly, "Key" was much more zany and fun. "Together" is much more sedate, calm, and collected. Boyer and Dunn are both stealing every scene, and we don't feel the chemistry we see in "Key to the City". Directed by Charles Vidor, who would also direct "Gilda" a couple years later . "Together Again" is pretty good. If you haven't seen "Key to the City", try to see that one too!

Exceptional American comedy from the 1940s. Superb acting, script, direction. Dunne is a dream. Boyer is brilliant. Coburn is a charm. Must-see film just to know what movies were like before most of us were born. Plot is clever and contrived, but it resonates as human and plausible nonetheless. I. laughed happily throughout. There are lots of obvious jokes but they're delivered with pointed perfection and impeccable timing. I'm going to look up other films written by the same scriptwriter(s), so I can see other of his/her/their films. I'll also check out more films by director Vidor who was a big star in the Hollywood Hey Day.

I saw this film a long time ago, and I wish it were on television more often. According to another reviewer, it is not yet available on DVD, and I wish it were.

The film stars Irene Dunne as the widow of a small town mayor, and she hires a famous sculptor, portrayed by Charles Boyer, to sculpt a statue of her late "sainted" husband. After some hesitation on the part of Dunne, a romance follows, along with family predicaments that complicate the plot and create the comedy in the film. Throughout the film the tango number, "I Get Ideas," adds to the romantic atmosphere as widow Dunne finds she can love again.

The ending contains an unexpected comedic happening, and the viewer is left to imagine the outcome of plot. This film is one I would recommend to anyone who likes romantic films and "chick" flicks.

Even one of the most gifted and effervescent comediennes of Hollywood's golden era can't rescue the weak, silly (and sexist) script. Yet again Hollywood of the 1940s insists that a successful woman isn't complete, and can't be happy, unless she has a man - and invariably the plot is going to demand that she give up her career, because a relationship with a man is the only thing that matters. It's a premise that becomes increasingly hard to swallow as we get further and further away from the 1940s and 1950s. Charles Boyer plays the bohemian sculptor (who dresses like Saville Row) who she enlists to duplicate a statue of her husband, with graces the small town where she is Mayor, having succeeded her husband, who died. Charles Coburn is reliable comedic support, as her father-in-law, who relentlessly insists that her first womanly duty is to loosen up - in later years they'd say that she should get laid - and go for the man. There's a subplot about her precocious teen daughter, who falls for Boyer, and the daughter's lanky boyfriend, who then falls for Dunne. It's a duplicate set-up of an I Love Lucy episode a few years later. The film is forced, far-fetched, silly, basically unfunny. The stars struggle to bring a levity and wit that are simply missing from the dialogue, situations or premise. Dunne is so fetching, physically lovely, at the height of her beauty, and could deliver a line, arch an eyebrow, tilt her head, laugh, and make every man just fall in love with her, me included. She transcends an inferior script, not exactly enough to make the movie enjoyable, since it's mindlessly silly and predictable, and beneath the talents of the principal cast, but she is simply captivating. Charles Vidor also manages to inject some sparkle with his deft touch, to a sparkle-less script.

"Together Again" was the third and last pairing of Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne in the leads. One might say they each lose their head over the other in this wonderful comedy. The story is riddled with hilarious scenes and lines. And, as the screenplay intimates, there might be some heavenly persuasion included in the story.

When this movie came out just before Christmas 1944, WW II in Europe had just been prolonged with the German offensive in the Battle of the Bulge. So, that Christmas at home, this film was likely another welcome escape.

A superb cast support Dunne and Boyer as Mayor Anne Crandall and sculptor George Corday, respectively. Charles Coburn has one of his excellent roles as a supporting actor. He plays Jonathan Crandall Sr. Mona Freeman is a riot as the teenage daughter of Anne, Diana Crandall. Jerome Courtland is Gilbert Parker, Charles Dingle is the boisterous newspaper owner, Morton Buchanan, and Elizabeth Patterson is Jessie, Crandall's cook and housekeeper.

The film has outstanding work with scenes of lightning in the sky. The very end of the film is a masterpiece of film work. This is one of those comedies that had superb writing and the perfect cast for the plot. The script is filled with humor, in many places just in the dialog of conversation between people. The replies and responses between Boyer's Corday and Dunne's mayor Crandall are examples of great spontaneity in writing -- and acting. This film has so much of that, that it takes a second and third viewing to grasp it all and enjoy more laughter.

And, this is one of the great comedies that Dunne made where her exceptional talent lights up the screen. Just watch for and look at the close-ups with her facial expressions that portray the comedy in all the scenes she is in. The first half of the film will get big laughs after her second or third shocking or perturbed reaction to a Boyer line, with "Mr. Corday!" It was by my third time watching this movie - some years after the first that this seemed to tickle my funny bone so much.

Here are some samples of the superb dialog in this film. For many more funny lines, see the Quotes section in this IMDb Web page on the film.

Diana Crandall, "Grandfather Crandall, you weren't sick. You cheated. I don't know where you got this dishonesty about things, because you certainly didn't get it from me or my father."

George Corday, "Well, I'm not going to apologize, you know. Because you're a fraud." Anne Crandall. "I beg your..." Corday, "You are. You are a fraud and a delusion. You deserve to be embarrassed." Anne,: "I..." Corday, "You have no business running around with mayor insides and such a beautiful outside."

Anne, "My, my, it certainly is philosophical out tonight."

Corday, "Most women's necks are just something to hold their heads up. But yours is positively lyrical."

Anne, "Oh, that was the strangest thing. I was standing right here with my dress in my hand, and all of a sudden, it disappeared. Right through the window."

Witherspoon, "It's manpower, your honor." Mayor Anne Candall, "Manpower, my eye. Use woman power, then." Witherspoon, "Women, to collect garbage?" Anne, "Why not? Women see more garbage in their lives than men do, don't they? They might as well get paid for it."

Jonathan Crandall Sr:, "Whew! It's like living with a box of matches."

Corday, "And that hat. That is definitely not a mayor's hat."

Corday, "Mrs. Crandall, your persistence in placing this interview on a personal basis is very embarrassing to me." Anne, "Embarrassing to you!"

Corday, "Mm hmm. I have erased the question mark after affectionate. You see how one thing leads to another?" Anne, "Mr. Corday!"

Corday, "You've been a widow for five years?" Anne, "Well, naturally." Corday, "On the contrary, there is nothing natural about that."

Corday, "If only women could realize that it's modesty that is attractive to men."

Anne, "Mr. Corday, I don't believe you understood me. I just fired you."

Diana, "But, but mother said you had a beard, down to here." Anne, "Well, I thought you did. Didn't you?" She motions toward Diana. Corday, giving Anne a scolding teacher's look, then picking it up, "A beard?... Oh, yes, yes. I did have a beard, but I shaved it off. It's so much warmer here in Vermont than in New York."

Anne, "You blackmailer!" Corday, "Tch, tch. Mayor Crandall!"

Anne, "Mr. Corday, why do you want to stay here that badly?" Corday, "That's what I want to find out."

Corday, "I'm sorry. I think your granddaughter is a charming child." Jonathan Sr., "My granddaughter is a ravening she-wolf. And don't underestimate her. Now if my daughter-in-law started spouting French, I wouldn't object. Do you understand? I wouldn't object at all."

Jessie, "He's been trying to get you alone ever since he came here. Well, I see he's finally made it." Anne, "Please, don't be silly, Jessie." Jessie, "I might give you the same advice, Mayor Crandall."

Jessie, "I don't know what's keeping Mrs. Crandall out this late." Jonathan Sr., "Really?"

Jonathan Sr., "If we're going to rot here together, we might as well be gay about it."

Diana, coming in all excited with a newspaper in her hands, "Mother! Mother! Did you know this happened to you?"

Jonathan Sr., "A mother's just another piece of furniture in a girl's house, Gilbert, don't you know that?"

Diana, "In our part of the country, Mr. Corday, we don't bandy women's names around without any clothes on."

Jonathan Sr., "Why, Jessie, you're a human being." Jessie, "That don't call for you to be insulting, Mr. Crandall."

Miss Thorn, "You've kind of lost your head over that little mayor dame, haven't you?" Corday, "Well, she's the type of woman men seem to lose their heads over, Miss Thorn."

'Together Again' had a good deal going for it. An interesting premise. Direction by Charles Vidor, who was a reliable director. And two talented leads in Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer, am more familiar and have a preference for Dunne in general but it will always be hard to forget Boyer's performance in 'Gaslight'. Also like romantic comedy when it is done well, and there are numerous times where it has been (as well as badly).

For me, there are far better romantic comedies out there (old and new) than 'Together Again' and it doesn't completely succeed. As well as far worse, this is one of the bang in-between ones. Also think it could have done more with its potential. There is quite a lot to enjoy though, 'Together Again' is quite a fun inoffensive film as long as one doesn't expect a massive amount from it but it is easy to see where people less enamoured by and more critical of it are coming from.

Its weak point is the story, which even when trying to not take it too seriously is easy to criticise. It is very over-familiar and far-fetched with motivations and situations being appearing without much warning and not really explored properly and with some of the film not ringing true all that much. Also think that it would have benefitted from not trying to include as much as it did, on top of being very worthy it did feel like 'Together Again' tried to do more than it needed to.

So it did in parts feel pretty choppy which affected the amount of depth there was, which was not enough. The characters are well played on the most part and one doesn't detest them, but for my tastes they read too much like underdeveloped stereotypes. Do agree that Mona Freeman is very annoying in her role and that the first fifteen minutes are too talky and rambles on too much.

But stick with it and don't give up because 'Together Again" does generally become much more entertaining. It is very nicely shot and designed and Vidor directs more than competently, he is at ease with the material and seems engaged with it. The script has a fair share of witty moments, the best which is primarily in the chemistry between Dunne and Boyer gleaming in sparkle. Its more romantic parts have genuine charm without being over-sentimental.

While the story is heavily flawed, it is also cute and entertaining, carried by the gleaming chemistry between the two leads. Who are both very strong and engaging with material that serves them quite well. Ever reliable Charles Coburn is the standout of the rest of the cast.

On the whole, could have been a lot better but not a bad time passer. 6/10

Anne (Irene Dunne) lives with her father Jonathan (Charles Coburn) and her step-daughter Diana (Mona Freeman). She commissions a sculptor George (Charles Boyer) to work on a statue of her late husband. He moves into her garage to complete the work and romance is in the air. But for who.....?

The film is a comedy/romance that is never funny. Charles Coburn provides most of the funny moments but there are far more irritating sequences, namely, whenever Mona Freeman or her boyfriend Gilbert (Jerome Courtland) are on screen. She needs a clout round the head and he plays a simpleton who annoyingly repeats "Goodnight" as his cool talk. This couple are a complete mis-match - she is intelligent and lively while he is slow and moronic - however, they are both very irritating so there is a common trait there. Irene Dunne pulls a few funny expressions but it's not enough to make this film good. It's just boring.........and Charles Boyer looks like a pudding.

Together Again casts Irene Dunne as a small town Vermont mayor who took over when her husband died. There's a statue to him in the town square that lightning removed the head of. It has to be replaced and she goes to New York to commission sculptor Charles Boyer to make a new statue,

Dunne's household consists of father-in-law Charles Coburn in one of his patented foxy grandpa parts and her teen daughter Mona Freeman. Both think she ought to move on and start dating. Even the job as mayor is more of an obligation as Dunne sees it. Boyer's arrival gives Coburn some hope.

This was one very nice comedy and the performances of Charles Dingle as Dunne's rival for mayor and newspaper editor and Adele Jergens as a stripper that Dunne gets caught in a nightclub raid with in a very funny sequence.

Together Again was the third and final time Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne were teamed on screen. This one is not Love Affair, but this is a funny film.

Irene Dunne is at her radiant best dressed in the height of forties chic as a glamorous widow caught up in racy situations that wouldn't have been out of place ten years earlier during the PreCode era.

Only her shoulderpads betray that this dates from the era of the dreaded Hays Office, who presumably waved it through since nothing involving Ms Dunne could possibly be objectionable.