Susan and God (1940)

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Rachel Crothers (play)
Anita Loos (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 June 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

Saint...or Screwball?

Plot:

Susan Trexel is a wealthy socialite, who while vacationing in Europe undergoes a religious transformation...

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Socialite | Transformation | Horseback Riding | Marriage Proposal

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Joan Crawford	...	Susan Trexel
Fredric March	...	Barrie Trexel
Ruth Hussey	...	Charlotte
John Carroll	...	Clyde Rochester
Rita Hayworth	...	Leonora Stubbs
Nigel Bruce	...	Hutchins Stubbs
Bruce Cabot	...	Michael O'Hara
Rose Hobart	...	Irene Burroughs
Constance Collier	...	Lady Millicent Wigstaff
Rita Quigley	...	Blossom Trexel
Gloria DeHaven	...	Enid
Richard Crane	...	Bob Kent (as Richard O. Crane)
Norma Mitchell	...	Hazel Paige
Marjorie Main	...	Mary Maloney
Aldrich Bowker	...	Patrick Maloney

Also Known As:

The Gay Mrs. Trexel (UK)

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Germany:12 | USA:Approved (PCA #6246) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

The play originally opened on 10 April 1937 in Princeton, New Jersey, and moved to New York City, New York on 7 October 1937 where it ran for 288 performances. Gertrude Lawrence played the role of Susan.

Quotes:

Mary Maloney: Gazing around the dark, gloomy entryway of the house. "Look at this hallway, frighten Dracula."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star (2002) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Goodnight, Sweetheart

Shimmering Adult Comedy-Drama

Another of the forgotten gems of Crawford's career. This trifle of a play, (which reads badly) is transformed by George Cukor and an all-star cast into a marvelous film. It's Joan Crawford on speed, Freddy March doing his dour drunk, Ruth Hussey, Nigel Bruve, Rita Hayworth, Rose Hobart, Bruce Cabot, and Marjorie Main all thrown into some of the most glamorous settings, costumes, and situations there can can be in an MGM film. Then, the fun starts. Crawford is a marvel as Susan, (who knew anyone but Billie Burke and Rosalind Russell could talk that fast?) who truly believes that only by wrecking the lives of all around her with her judgments and opinions can she help them be truly happy. The funny lines abound; Marjorie Main:"Look at this hallway, 'frighten Dracula." Also, after the argument between Susan and Barrie that sets up their "happy" family summer together, look at the strange sado-masochistic smile on Susan's face after Barrie's threatened to hit her with a chair and she realizes he may not be the sop she thought. See this film if only to see Crawford in a truly champagne comedy.