Al Westerfield
The dichotomy in reviewer assessments of Lovers Courageous has, I fear, more to do with the reviewers' life experiences than the film. Those that waited for that special someone, knew almost immediately that he or she was the one, spent their whole life thinking of no one but that person and that total commitment was reciprocated, arguing only over "gift of the magi" details, surmounting family difficulties through togetherness and basically living a wonderful life, know this film is true and expresses itself beautifully. If this is corny, well, life can sometimes be corny if you're very, very lucky.Montgomery and Evans are perfectly matched and show true love seldom achieved in film. Young's portrayal is subtle and effective until the final resolution. For once Kerr isn't his usual bumbling good heart mumbling inanities under his breath; he's a perfect nasty. With few exceptions the rest of the cast performs well. The dialog is exceptionally crisp. I had wished that the depths of despair weren't quite so deep; it descended into unfortunate melodrama, making the end too pat. All the same, it brought back memories of finding true love. For that I'll always be thankful.
mikeswife1
If you are a Robert Montgomery fan you will enjoy seeing this. Written by Frederick Lonsdale (The Last of Mrs. Cheyney), the scenes are clearly from a play but it does give to the movie's charm. Although it is somewhat choppy with pauses, the story is rather interesting although idealistic. Willie meets Mary, she is rich, she engaged to another, leaves him, and so on. The man she is to marry is a complete dope only interested in "unting" with the "ounds." Her family being more interested in appearances is not pleased when she leaves and barges in while Willy is in bed. A deal is struck with Mary's father, after Willy is unable to support her, although she doesn't mind that he stole a steak from the local butcher. She thinks he has abandoned her and she is bedridden. Willy's play does become a success and he goes back to Mary, with a very sweet happily ever after ending. What is not so known about this story is that it was filmed while Robert Montgomery's daughter, Martha Bryan was ill and dying. The story goes that they were shooting the end scene when he was given the message to go to the hospital. Nevertheless, he continued shooting, which is why the ending in this film is somewhat tender.
David (Handlinghandel)
It's very stagy. Clearly, it was a play. Though opened up, with flashbacks and scenes on lakes, it is like a play -- and a very stodgy one, at that. Indeed, it's like what we imagine the Robert Montgomery character's play would be, based on the few lines we hear.Montgomery is supposed to be English. His American accent is explained by his going to Canada and then South Africa -- if one views that as an explanation. Madge Evans was a charming performer but one wouldn't know that from her performance here. Beryl Mercer comes through well, as Montgomery's mother. And Roland Young, in a minor role, is good. Was he ever not good? The problem with this is that it's hard to believe the trajectory of Montgomery's life as it's portrayed. It's hard to believe he suddenly became a fine playwright. And it's quite difficult indeed to care about the romance between him and Evans. When many people think of early sound movies, they think of grandiose fluff like this. And that's a shame, since there are so many gems to be mined.
Larry41OnEbay-2
Other internet sources state this is a rare direct-to-screen original by Frederick Lonsdale, the playwright responsible for such drawing-room comedies as THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY and like the two versions of that film (1929 & 1937), this one bubbles and sparkles with great lines. From Robert Montgomery's first scene, he delivers clever observations with the clipped wit of an intelligent philosopher filled with the wonder of discovering something better in life. Lots of short funny scenes as he wanders the globe drifting from job to job, gathering experiences to enrich his writing. Lovely Madge Evans (better known for DINNER AT EIGHT & David COPPERFIELD) plays the pretty and pampered daughter of a high society stalwart member, an admiral with plans for her to marry "well." Fate introduces these two idealistic lovers in a lowly tobacconist shop and their perceptive exchange quickly shoots arrows through their hearts. They are fated to love forever before the scene ends. Starting with humor, gracefully slipping into romance, spiking with the passions of obsessive love, dipping down into harsh realities only to be tried and tested
the ending comes as only a playwrights guilty pleasure could imagine.Bottom line, I loved it and fans of smart precode love stories will relish in this forgotten little gem! 8 out of 10!
AD
