In an industry filled with shallow people and even shallower marriages, the marriage of Joel McCrea to Frances Dee was quite unusual. It lasted 57 years....and to think that they met on the set of this film, "The Silver Cord". This is reason enough to see this movie...but is it any good otherwise?
The story is about a manipulative Oedipal-type mother whose main concern isn't her sons but her connection to them. This means that she is less concerned with their happiness and more concerned with keeping them by her side...and if that means destroying their marriages, then so be it!
It all begins in Europe. Christina (Irene Dunne) is a research biologist...a most unusual and admirable job for a lady (or guy). She and David (McCrea) meet and marry. Several months later, they return to the States and stay with David's mother. At first, things look swell but there are definite hints that this 'nice lady' isn't so nice after all...and Momma (Laura Hope Crews) is actually a manipulative beast! She insists that they live next door...even though they both have excellent jobs waiting for them in New York. But it gets worse...as she soon tries to get her youngest, Robert to leave his loving fiancee (Frances Dee)! And, it only gets worse! How far will she go and what will her weenie sons do?
I enjoyed this film because it portrayed an Oedipal relationship in the most florid and enjoyable manner. You cannot help but hate momma...and Crews was marvelous as this creepy and despicable 'lady'. Now I know many might think the acting and situations are over the top in the film, but for sons caught up in it, this really isn't all that unrealistic. Overall, a great film with lots of psychosexual tension and intrigue...and thoroughly Pre-Code in its sensibilities. It also is exquisitely written and acted...and Dunne really stands out late in the movie...what an actress...as is Crews.
By the way, there's a marvelous scene of David in bed and he's talking to his mommy. Notice how she takes his hand and places it on her crotch! I am 100% sure that in the Post-Code era, this never would have been allowed and censors certainly would have noticed it!
The story is about a manipulative Oedipal-type mother whose main concern isn't her sons but her connection to them. This means that she is less concerned with their happiness and more concerned with keeping them by her side...and if that means destroying their marriages, then so be it!
It all begins in Europe. Christina (Irene Dunne) is a research biologist...a most unusual and admirable job for a lady (or guy). She and David (McCrea) meet and marry. Several months later, they return to the States and stay with David's mother. At first, things look swell but there are definite hints that this 'nice lady' isn't so nice after all...and Momma (Laura Hope Crews) is actually a manipulative beast! She insists that they live next door...even though they both have excellent jobs waiting for them in New York. But it gets worse...as she soon tries to get her youngest, Robert to leave his loving fiancee (Frances Dee)! And, it only gets worse! How far will she go and what will her weenie sons do?
I enjoyed this film because it portrayed an Oedipal relationship in the most florid and enjoyable manner. You cannot help but hate momma...and Crews was marvelous as this creepy and despicable 'lady'. Now I know many might think the acting and situations are over the top in the film, but for sons caught up in it, this really isn't all that unrealistic. Overall, a great film with lots of psychosexual tension and intrigue...and thoroughly Pre-Code in its sensibilities. It also is exquisitely written and acted...and Dunne really stands out late in the movie...what an actress...as is Crews.
By the way, there's a marvelous scene of David in bed and he's talking to his mommy. Notice how she takes his hand and places it on her crotch! I am 100% sure that in the Post-Code era, this never would have been allowed and censors certainly would have noticed it!