John Cromwell (1887–1979)

This touching film following the trials and tribulations of a newly married couple moves from humor to drama with ease thanks to fine performances from Jimmy Stewart and Carole Lombard, a good screenplay from Jo Swerling, and deft direction from John Cromwell.

Jimmy Stewart is young attorney John Mason, who returns from a recent trip a married man, after a whirlwind romance with Jane. He can’t wait to put his wife’s picture on his desk and the two can barely contain their bliss. Carole show more Lombard glows in her role as Jane, capturing that feeling of newfound love in her performance. Charles Coburn is the head of the law firm James works for and whose daughter he was expected to marry. This causes regret on the part of his mother, portrayed by Lucille Watson. Forced to live with the struggling young couple, her loneliness and frustration vents itself in unfair criticism of Jane.

Jane’s mother-in-law is not the only thing weighing the young couple down, however. Their planned honeymoon aboard the Normandy sails into the sunset when the ship leaves without them after he is called back to work at the worst possible moment. Soon John is passed over for junior partner and forced to accept a cut in pay, resulting in more financial difficulties for the couple, who now have a baby on the way.

Cromwell lets this play out naturally, with humor and tenderness, making for a realistic and sentimental slice of life, but avoiding the maudlin. It is the small moments such as a wedding ring discussion and cut in pay which give this film a poignancy anyone who was once young and married can relate to. When their baby becomes ill, what happens might seem contrived were it not handled so well by director Cromwell. If fact, this was not a contrivance at all, but an actual event in the life of producer David O. Selznick, mirroring something which happened to his brother.

A sweet and rewarding ending proves all the viewer has hoped for in this terrific film full of warmth and sentiment. Those who enjoy a sentimental tear-jerker once in a while will find a new favorite in this one. show less

A "homely" spinster, Laura (Dorothy McGuire) and an ex-soldier, Oliver (Robert Young), whose face has been scarred by war, meet at a cottage which has a reputation for enchantment and romance. The pair end up marrying out of loneliness, but the cottage soon works its magic and Laura and Oliver become beautiful to each other. Directed by John Cromwell with a fairy tale atmosphere helped by a longing narrative and a nice look provided by cinematographer Ted Tetzlaff, which verges on the Gothic show more at times, with its deep focus crumbling castle and swirling mists. The score by Roy Webb helps the otherworldly mood and feel with Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young providing good central performances. Mildred Natwick as housekeeper Mrs Minnett is, however, the most compelling character, still struggling with grief over the loss of her husband in the First World War and providing knowing glances that hint at the supernatural. Although very much a war movie (with a message orientated to the war generation) and very much of its time "The Enchanted Cottage" is still touching, moving and gently romantic fantasy. show less

The Enchanted Cottage is one of the most beautiful films of the 1940’s. John Cromwell's direction and a lovely score from Roy Webb give this sensitive and tender RKO film about true love and real beauty the perfect atmosphere. Adapted from a Sir Arthur Pinero play by DeWitt Boden and Herman J. Mankiewicz, it is a film held close to the heart by all who have ever seen it.

It begins at a cocktail party as blind composer John (Herbert Marshall) awaits the arrival of Laura Pennington (Dorothy show more McGuire) and Oliver Bradford (Robert Young). As they wait, he relates their magical story of love which inspired his latest work. It revolves around a Noblemen’s estate burned to the ground long ago, only a single wing untouched by the flames. Over the centuries, only newlywed couples have stayed there, etching their names in a window. All who have etched their names there have been happy, feeling something special at the cottage. According to Laura, the cottage is not haunted, but rather enchanted.

The chain of happy couples was broken by Mrs. Millet when her husband was killed in WWI, and only when Laura returns to the cottage to work as the maid does she begin to feel the place cottage to life again. For Laura, who is plain and homely, the cottage is a place to belong, somewhere she can live out her dreams of happiness on the inside, beneath her unexciting exterior.

Plans to rent the cottage are made by Oliver and his shallow bride-to-be, but the second World War interrupts and the scarred and disfigured Oliver, shot down over Java, returns alone. John befriends the lonely Laura and the frightened and bitter Oliver, watching them find the beauty beneath the skin as the cottage works its magic once more, and they begin to fall in love. When a miracle occurs they cannot wait to tell their friends and family. To relate the chain of events which follow their decision would ruin the impact of the film’s tremendously moving message about love.

A cast which includes Spring Byington in support is stellar, with leads Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire giving extraordinarily sensitive performances. Their inner angst and loneliness, and their feelings of joy as they are transformed are brought forth in a tender and real manner. Every couple should see this wonderful film together at least once, as a reminder that true love lets us see the more important and real beauty of the heart. show less

Leslie Howard is fine in the lead role as Philip Carey--it's a nuanced performance, never over the top and charming. But it really is Bette Davis, in her first major role at twenty-six who is the standout, and raises this to a four-star rating. She was just riveting in every scene she appeared in, and shows she was not one of those Hollywood stars of the era who got by on looks or projecting a charismatic personality, but could really act--really disappear into a role.