Main Cast: Judy Holliday, Aldo Ray, Madge Kennedy, Sheila Bond, John Alexander, Mickey Shaughnessy, Griff Barnett
Release Year: 1952
Country: US
Run Time: 93 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
A master blend of comedy, domestic drama and sudden tragedy, The Marrying Kind remains one of the best collaborations between star Judy Holliday, screenwriters Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon, and director George Cukor. The film begins at the end, with married couple Florence and Chet Keefer (Judy Holliday and Aldo Ray) seeking a divorce. Both parties state their cases before understanding judge Carroll (Madge Kennedy)--whereupon the story of their marriage unfolds in a series of revelatory flashbacks. After an amusing recap of their courtship days, the film details the many major and minor trials and tribulations of married life. In the film's most unforgettable sequence, one of the couple's children dies by drowning while Florence and Chet are obliviously engaged in one of their petty squabbles. Throughout the testimony, the Judge gives equal time to both parties, and in so doing demonstrates that all aspects of marriage work both ways. In the final scenes, the Judge allows the Keefers to reconsider their impending divorce, but not before offering a few understanding and unobtrusive words of advice. Judy Holliday is in top form, while Aldo Ray delivers what may be his finest performance. Featured in the cast as Ray's sister-in-law is Peggy Cass in her film debut. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Although it did not receive the same popular and critical acclaim as the earlier Born Yesterday -- which featured the same star and director and one of the same writers - The Marrying Kind is actually a more ambitious, if ultimately less successful, film. Whereas Born Yesterday was a straightforward comedy about a serious subject (or subjects, depending upon your point of view), Marrying Kind is an sometimes uneasy blend of comedy and drama -- at times, some fairly heavy drama, as when the son of the lead characters drowns. Neither director George Cukor nor writers Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon are completely successful at blending these disparate styles, which causes the film to wobble and jar occasionally. There also are forays into the bizarre and the surreal (similar to those in Pat and Mike), which are interesting but not totally successful. However, individual sequences, such as the heartbreaking quiz show segment, are masterful. Fortunately, Judy Holliday and Aldo Ray have no problem adjusting to the script's changes in direction. Ray is adept at capturing the husband's irritation and pride. Holliday gives what is arguably her finest performance. This movie was intended to show that she had a wide range, and she proves it with a remarkable etching of a woman who is simultaneous endearing, funny, insensitive and selfish. Her scene on the beach, as she learns that her son has drowned, is a marvel, and her rendition of "Dolores" is delightful. Holliday and Cukor would team up again, two years later, for the charming It Should Happen to You. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Rex Williams - George Bastian; Phyllis Povah - Mrs. Derringer; Peggy Cass - Emily Bundy; Barry Curtis - Joey (age 4); Elsie Holmes - Marian; Larry Blake - Benny; Charles Buchinsky - Eddie; Patrick Butler - Boy; Tommy Farrell - Cliff; Frank Ferguson - Mr. Quinn; Thomas Brown Henry - Mr. Jenner; Gordon Jones - Steve; Nancy Kulp - Edie; Joe McGuinn - Bus Driver; Christopher Olsen - Joey (age 6); Joan Shawlee - Dancer; Richard H. Gordon - Lawyer; Charles Brewer; John Elliott - Minister
Credit
John Meehan - Art Director, Jean Louis - Costume Designer, Earl Bellamy - First Assistant Director, George Cukor - Director, Charles Nelson - Editor, Hugo W. Friedhofer - Composer (Music Score), Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Clay Campbell - Makeup, Joseph Walker - Cinematographer, Bert Granet - Producer, William Kiernan - Set Designer, Jack A. Goodrich - Sound/Sound Designer, Ruth Gordon - Screenwriter, Garson Kanin - Screenwriter
The ups and downs of marriage and commitment are realized as a disgruntled and grieving couple recount their marriage to the divorce judge. As the judge attempts to decipher whether or not their love for one another is gone, key moments of their lives together are remembered in this witty comedy/drama.
