Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard are blissfully wed. Image: TCM
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941) is a perfectly lovely romantic comedy about a married couple who briefly separate, then reunite when they realize how much they love each other.
This is a popular trope for 1930s’ comedies, popular because it’s a surefire formula. Who can resist it? Add appealing characters, a witty script, amusing situations, and you’ve got a Winner.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith checks all the Boxes. Handsome Robert Montgomery and glamorous Carole Lombard star as the titular couple who live by several arbitrary rules regarding their relationship, the most outrageous one being No One Leaves the bedroom until an argument is resolved.
The two are stinkin’ rich, of course; Montgomery’s character is a lawyer who seems to dabble at his work. (His partner is indulgent when Montgomery has to miss work due to, ahem, Argument Solving.) They are privileged, ridiculous people, but also endearing, and we desperately want them to Get Back Together, even though we know all will end happily.
The pair separate when they discover a legal technicality stating they never were legally wed, and some long-buried issues arise. Additionally, Lombard’s character realizes Montgomery’s partner (Gene Raymond) is handsome and Available… so why not see where this takes her?
There is one strange thing about this film, though, and that’s the director. This film was directed by the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.
Which begs the question: Why would Hitchcock direct a non-suspenseful romantic comedy?
Newly-single Lombard is open to other prospects. Image: Talk Film Society
Hitchcock directed this film because Carole Lombard wanted him to.
At the time, Lombard was a Big Deal in Hollywood. Her movies sold a lot of tickets, she knew it, and she was unafraid to state What She Wanted.
“RKO had a comedy script, tentatively titled ‘Mr. and Mrs.,’ in which Carole Lombard had agreed to star, ideally opposite Cary Grant,” writes Patrick McGilligan, author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light. “[B]ut only if the picture could be shot inside of five weeks, and only if her friend Hitchcock directed.”¹
As for Hitchcock, he was unenthused about the script. He’d had it for a month, when the studio inquired, and hadn’t even glanced at it. McGilligan says he wanted his wife, Alma Reville, to write an original script for Lombard, but RKO refused. They wanted Lombard to be happy, and to be happy, Hitchcock would have to direct her in the Mr. & Mrs. film.
Hitchcock planned to direct a second film at RKO (and therefore needed to be in the studio’s good graces), plus he needed the cash, so he reluctantly agreed to the project. By now, Cary Grant was out, Robert Montgomery was brought in and, according to McGilligan, Hitchcock “put on the happiest possible face during the six weeks he spent directing Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”²
He told French filmmaker François Truffault, “Since I didn’t really understand the type of people who were portrayed in the film, all I did was to photograph the scenes as followed [in the script].”³
All other reasons notwithstanding, Hitchcock’s taking on the project is a testament to both Lombard’s determination and their shared friendship.
Lombard and friends are Not Amused. Image: Alamy
Mr. & Mrs. Smith was Carole Lombard’s second-to-last film. She would make one more film, To Be or Not to Be (1942), before her death in a Las Vegas plane crash in 1942.
Stories about Lombard on set are legendary: her sense of humour, her outspokenness, and her filmmaking knowledge. She was loved by technicians and fans, and when she died, the outpouring of grief was tremendous.
She was also very funny. In Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Lombard plays an absurd woman, but one with heart, and we cheer her every move. She’s rich and glamorous, but still, improbably, down to earth, and we admire her for it.
If you haven’t yet seen Mr. & Mrs. Smith, we encourage you to stream it online. It’s not a traditional Hitchcock film, but we aren’t watching it for him. All eyes are on Carole Lombard.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith starring Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery, Gene Raymond. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Written by Norman Krasna. RKO Radio Pictures, 1941, B&W, 95 mins.
Source
¹McGilligan, Patrick (2003) Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light. New York, NY. ReganBooks, p. 266. ²Ibid., p. 277. ³Ibid.
I’ve always loved Mr. and Mrs. Smith — especially the first half, before Gene Raymond gets involved. (What is up with that hair color anyway?) It’s really a delightful film. I enjoyed reading about how it came to be!
Thanks for joining! I haven’t seen this one yet, but it’s on my list as I’m diving hard into her films. How weird that she wanted Hitchcock. I read in your article that they were friends and why he did it, but do you know why she wanted him specifically? Was it just to work with her friend? Maybe she was just trying to help him out money-wise? Maybe throw him out of his wheelhouse? Ha.
Either way, I’m looking forward to this one. Does Hitchcock still have his trademark cameo? I’ll be watching for that! This sounds like a fun comedy with an unorthodox director, and I’m excited for it.
Whatever the film I can never resist Carole Lombard. She was so beautiful, but didn’t seem to take herself too seriously. Carole was a master of her craft, and it’s so sad she didn’t get to make many more films after this one.
Not to be confused with the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie film from 2005. Kidding aside, I quite enjoyed this film. It’s not a staple Alfred Hitchcock film, but it is funny. Carole Lombard was a lot of fun in it.
I’ll keep an eye out for this film. I think I’d enjoy it.
Coincidentally, last night I noticed that TCM had Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much on its schedule (the version with Jimmy Stewart). So, I DVRed it and plan to watch it pretty soon.
Wonderful look back at Hitchcock’s involvement in Mr & Mrs Smith,its such a quirky film for the Master of Suspense to be involved with, and its certainly worth a look as its so different from anything else he ever did.
One of my old favorites is “an affair to remember. “ it was one my grandma watched so I caught on quick to loving these old movies. Sometimes I’d rather watch a bad old movie than the new good movies.🎥
Totally agree it hits on so many emotions. 💕I haven’t watched it in a few years and now you have inspired me to watch again . It has been a movie I’ve watched so many times some just stick longer.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a surprisingly entertaining movie, Hitchcock’s blasé attitude notwithstanding. It’s pretty funny, and I thought Lombard and Montgomery were excellent.
Silver Screenings 
I’ve always loved Mr. and Mrs. Smith — especially the first half, before Gene Raymond gets involved. (What is up with that hair color anyway?) It’s really a delightful film. I enjoyed reading about how it came to be!
Karen
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It is a delightful film, like you said. I hadn’t seen it before & didn’t know what to expect. But now it’s a new favourite!
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Thanks for joining! I haven’t seen this one yet, but it’s on my list as I’m diving hard into her films. How weird that she wanted Hitchcock. I read in your article that they were friends and why he did it, but do you know why she wanted him specifically? Was it just to work with her friend? Maybe she was just trying to help him out money-wise? Maybe throw him out of his wheelhouse? Ha.
Either way, I’m looking forward to this one. Does Hitchcock still have his trademark cameo? I’ll be watching for that! This sounds like a fun comedy with an unorthodox director, and I’m excited for it.
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Apparently there is a cameo, “directed” by Carole (who made him do numerous takes), but I somehow missed it…
Thnks for organizing this blogathon!
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Whatever the film I can never resist Carole Lombard. She was so beautiful, but didn’t seem to take herself too seriously. Carole was a master of her craft, and it’s so sad she didn’t get to make many more films after this one.
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You said it. Her performances seem effortless, don’t they? She’s pure joy to watch on screen.
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Sounds very different for Hitchcock, yes!
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It’s a lovely film, but lacking many of the signature Hitchcock touches. Still, it’s well worth watching. It’s become a new fave.
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Not to be confused with the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie film from 2005. Kidding aside, I quite enjoyed this film. It’s not a staple Alfred Hitchcock film, but it is funny. Carole Lombard was a lot of fun in it.
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Carole Lombard was a lot of fun here, like she always is. I never saw the Pitt/Jolie film. What did you think of it?
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It’s a sexy dumb fun action movie. Not exactly deep, but Brangelina had a lot of chemistry.
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I had no idea that Hitch did a romantic comedy and with this cast… thanks Ruth. This sounds like an essential must watch movie…
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It’s a lot of fun! I think you’d get a kick out of it.
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Great review Ruth! I’m curious to watch this movie now, it sounds like I will enjoy it.
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I think you’ll like it. It’s funny and stylish and has such a good cast.
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Brilliant review, Ruth! I really have to see this film again. Somehow I think it would make a good double feature with Hitchcock’s Rich & Strange 🙂
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You’re right! Those two films would make an excellent double feature.
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Ah, that wacky Hitch, mixing things up. I’m looking forward to seeing this one, even if it is atypical. 🙂
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It’s a perfectly delightful film, and it’s become a new fave. I think you’ll get a kick out of it.
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I didn’t know Hitchcock directed this. Looks a fun lighthearted film. x
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It really is a delightful romp, with a perfect cast. It’s worth a look!
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I’ll keep an eye out for this film. I think I’d enjoy it.
Coincidentally, last night I noticed that TCM had Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much on its schedule (the version with Jimmy Stewart). So, I DVRed it and plan to watch it pretty soon.
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Oh yes, The Man Who Knew Top Much is terrific. Doris Day gives a pitch-perfect performance. Enjoy!
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Wonderful look back at Hitchcock’s involvement in Mr & Mrs Smith,its such a quirky film for the Master of Suspense to be involved with, and its certainly worth a look as its so different from anything else he ever did.
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It really is a different choice for him, but he proves his versatility here – an important quality in the studio system.
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No offense to Montgomery, but Cary Grant in it would have been more fun
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Agreed! If only…
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I love these old movies!!!!!🎦
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They’re fabulous, aren’t they? Some of them aren’t so good, but the ones that are good are terrific.
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One of my old favorites is “an affair to remember. “ it was one my grandma watched so I caught on quick to loving these old movies. Sometimes I’d rather watch a bad old movie than the new good movies.🎥
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I hear you. And “An Affair to Remember” is a beautiful film, isn’t it? Romantic and sad and hopeful…it hits all the right notes.
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Totally agree it hits on so many emotions. 💕I haven’t watched it in a few years and now you have inspired me to watch again . It has been a movie I’ve watched so many times some just stick longer.
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Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a surprisingly entertaining movie, Hitchcock’s blasé attitude notwithstanding. It’s pretty funny, and I thought Lombard and Montgomery were excellent.
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Ha! I laughed out loud at your observation “Hitchcock’s blasé attitude”.
Lombard and Montgomery are a good pair, aren’t they? It’s really too bad they didn’t make another comedy – or any other film – together.
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