Remember the Night (1940)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Mitchell Leisen

Writer:

Preston Sturges (original screenplay)

Release Date:

19 January 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

BARBARA and FRED in 1940's first great love affair ...!

Plot:

Just before Christmas, Lee Leander is caught shoplifting. It is her third offense. She is prosecuted by John Sargent...

Plot Keywords:

Trial | Christmas | Shoplifting | Canada | Moral Reformation

Cast

Barbara Stanwyck	...	Lee Leander
Fred MacMurray	...	John Sargent
Beulah Bondi	...	Mrs. Sargent
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Aunt Emma
Willard Robertson	...	Francis X. O'Leary
Sterling Holloway	...	Willie Simms
Charles Waldron	...	Judge in New York
Paul Guilfoyle	...	District Attorney
Charles Arnt	...	Tom (as Charlie Arnt)
John Wray	...	Hank
Thomas W. Ross	...	Mr. Emory
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones	...	Rufus (as Snowflake)
Tom Kennedy	...	'Fat' Mike
Georgia Caine	...	Lee's Mother
Virginia Brissac	...	Mrs. Emory

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #5592) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

American Film Institute Catalog of Feature Films 1931-1940 claims that, except for Double Indemnity (1944), this was Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray's only joint screen appearance. Fact is, they also co-starred in The Moonlighter (1953 and There's Always Tomorrow (1956).

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The street sign on the corner of the shop where Stanwyck tries to pawn the stolen bracelet reads "3rd Avenue" and "West 54th Street" in NYC. With 3rd Avenue being east of Fifth Avenue, which divides east from west Manhattan, the street sign should read "East 54th Street."

Quotes:

John Sargent: You threw a lighted match into the wastebasket?
Lee Leander: Well I wasn't aiming for the spittoon.
John Sargent: You know that's called arson?
Lee Leander: No! I thought that was when you bit somebody!

Movie Connections:

References Svengali (1931)

Soundtrack:

Auld Lang Syne

One of my favorites

This little sentimental tale is so sweet and heartwarming, I consider it one of my favorite holiday movies. The beginning is a bit slow, the courtroom scene drawn out and ones mind can wander. But once the story begins, it carries viewers back to a time when simpler pleasures where enjoyed. The popcorn, singing around the piano, simple gifts, popovers, canary in the cage, white elephant sale and barn dance all make one long for those days. Who wouldn't like to step into this movie, and go home with John/Jack, snuggle in the flannel gown, in the cozy bed, and have the Mom and Aunt fussing around, seeing to your every need. I give this movie a 10 and believe it is one of the "overlooked" films of the holiday season. I am a great fan of the classics, Miracle on 34th, Wonderful Life, White Christmas and Christmas in Conneticut. But these smaller, lesser known films, are simply grand. Holiday Affair is another to check out, if you want some variety in your viewing.