Main Cast: Joan Crawford, Fredric March, Ruth Hussey, John Carroll, Rita Hayworth
Release Year: 1940
Country: US
Run Time: 115 minutes
Plot
Rachel Crothers' thoughtful stage play Susan and God was tastefully adapted for the screen by Anita Loos. Joan Crawford stars as Susan, whose unquestioning devotion to various religious organizations causes a great deal of strain between herself and her family. When Susan embraces a "New Thought" theological movement, she decides to apply the tenets of this new philosophy to patch up the unhappy marriages within her own social circles. She succeeds only in making things worse, and in further harming her own relationship with husband Barrie (Fredric March) and daughter Blossom (Rita Quigley). But it is the unadorned, unpretentious religious faith of little Blossom that ultimately brings Susan and Barrie together again. When Susan and God was first released in 1940, Joan Crawford's performance was occasionally compared unfavorably to that of Gertrude Lawrence, who created the role of Susan on Broadway; it was suggested by some that Crawford patterned her portrayal exactly on Lawrence's, right down to the line delivery. Modern audiences, denied the opportunity to see Lawrence's interpretation, are less inclined to downgrade Crawford's work, which rates among her best. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
After Norma Shearer decided she was not prepared to play the mother of a teen-aged child, Joan Crawford was awarded the starring role in Susan and God. The result is one of Crawford's finest performances. Never one to bring a light touch to comedy (or anything else), Crawford plays the humor that is so important to the first half of the film by emphasizing the excessive, almost frenetic energy of a character that uses religion to avoid the real problems in her home life. Her Susan's self-involvement is both amusing and irritating, and Crawford walks the fine line between these attributes without stumbling. Still, despite her efforts the character does become a bit tiresome, and while screenwriter Anita Loos has provided plenty of sharp lines and witty dialogue, neither she nor director George Cukor is able to keep the film from sagging as it goes along. Cukor does provide a customarily handsome production -- too much so at times, as the constant parade of designer clothing becomes distracting -- and both he and the star are well served by the rest of the cast. Fredric March in particular turns in a finely shaded performance, while a young Rita Hayworth is a delight and crusty Marjorie Main walks away with a number of scenes. Susan certainly tackles an unusual subject for Hollywood; that the script did not handle it more successfully is unfortunate, but the players make it quite watchable. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Susan and God (1937), a play by Rachel Crothers. [ Plymouth Theatre, 288 perf.] Selfish, vain Susan Trexel (Gertrude Lawrence) becomes a convert to the Oxford movement and sets about to reform the world. She arrives as a guest at the home of Irene Burroughs (Vera Allen), promptly crimping Irene's affair with Michael O'Hara (Douglas Gilmore). She then sets to work on her own alcoholic husband, Barrie (Paul McGrath,) and her “girl scout gone wrong” daughter, Blossom (Nancy Kelly). For a time Susan does succeed in keeping Barrie on the wagon, but when she accuses him of having an affair with another woman, he slips off. Susan is made to recognize that being meddlesome is not being religious and that real faith comes from within. Although many critics felt there was not sufficient story line and that Lawrence was left to carry the play, Richard Lockridge wrote in the Evening Sun, “It doesn't need proving that Miss Crothers, theme or no theme, can write dialogue that humor glints on, and handle her situations and characters with a suave dexterity enchanting to watch.” The author returned to the theatre for this, her last play, after five years of writing for films.
Susan (Crawford), a flighty society matron, returns from Europe waxing enthusiatic about a new religious movement that alienates friends "Hutchie" and Charlotte (Nigel Bruce and Ruth Hussey). Susan's own life is in disarray: she is estranged from her intelligent and sensitive husband Barrie (March) and has neglected her introverted and maladjusted daughter Blossom (Rita Quigley). At first, Barrie is taken in by Susan's new passion, believing it is a sign of maturity, but he suffers disappointment when he realizes it is simply another manifestation of her shallowness. Gradually, Susan begins to understand the pain she has caused her family and determines to put her own house in order before meddling in the lives of others. Cast includes Rita Hayworth, John Carroll, Bruce Cabot, Constance Collier, Gloria DeHaven, and Marjorie Main.
MGM reportedly paid $75,000 (USD) for the rights to Rachel Crothers' play. It was intended as a vehicle for Norma Shearer, but the star refused to play the role of a mother with a teenage daughter. Greer Garson was also considered for the role before it went to Joan Crawford.
Rita Hayworth was loaned to MGM for this film by her studio, Columbia Pictures. This was also Fredric March's return to film after a year and a half's absence appearing on the stage.
Reception
Variety noted, "Joan Crawford provides a strong portrayal of Susan...George Cukor's direction highlights the characterizations he unfolds." Howard Barnes in the New York Herald Tribune commented, "[Crawford] is not entirely successful in blending silliness with romantic power."[1]
