I have a sophisticated theory about why the Irene Dunne vehicle Together Again (1944) is never on any best-of, favorites, or romantic comedy lists despite the many joys of viewing it: the title sucks.
And when I say it sucks, I mean it’s the WORST TITLE I CAN IMAGINE. It’s so forgettable that every time I think of it, I have to look up Dunne’s IMDB site to find it. I cannot for the life of me remember it at all. And I’m a fan of the film! What does that say?
The title isn’t mysterious, as in The Natural, an aptly named, but box-office-ignorant choice. It’s not annoying, as in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. It’s just so impossibly blah and vague. Together Again. As in a remarriage? As in partners who re-team? As in peanut butter and jelly? WHAT does it mean? I’ve seen the film and any possible answer to that question is not a good one.
Of course, if I’d had my druthers, I would have named it this way: Charles Coburn, Matchmaker. Because any classic movie fan familiar with his work would run to see it then. But as I don’t have naming rights, I can just tell you this: Ignore the title; watch the film.
Why? I’ve posted a longwinded tribute to it, with comparisons to Veep, should you have time to kill. But here, I’ll give you the brief but essential rundown of why so many of you will love it:
- It’s Such a Feminist Flick. A female mayor, people. Who rips on men who belittle her. Who makes fun of romance, and yet (despite herself) is itching for it after her husband’s death. Her father-in-law (Coburn) keeps trying to sway her to take things easier, to find a new man and stop worshipping his son. Hooked yet?
- Irene Dunne. Oh she’s great. That odd, fluttery voice dishes out sarcasm with verve. Her on-point timing and ease of movement make her mesmerizing to hear and watch.
- The Romance. I’m not a big fan of Charles Boyer’s, but the two actors have chemistry together. And I’ve always been a fan of the straightlaced gal and bohemian/relaxed guy meet-cute, probably because I was such a nerd as a kid.Unnecessary Aside and Spoiler of Other Films: I prefer Boyer’s & Dunne’s Love Affair (1939) to the more beloved An Affair to Remember (1957) remake, partially because Boyer & Dunne are more in sync and believable as a couple than Kerr and Grant, despite the latter’s extreme charm in his film. But mainly because Deborah Kerr seems such an inert actress to me, making the tragedy that befalls her less moving than that of the highly energetic Dunne. I mean, ask yourself: Which actress can you imagine in a gym? I rest my case. (The fact that I’m more like Kerr, gym-devotion wise, doesn’t alter my point narratively speaking.)
- Coburn-Dunne Magic. I love these two together. You could ditch the romance and just enjoy Dunne & Coburn sparring, and never miss a thing. These two are so witty, have such a great rhythm together. And his expression when he rips on her for a frivolous hat purchase is so good I’m going to have to post it again (I believe this is post 3):
Alas, the only reason I discovered this film at all is because it was paired with the more famous Theodora Goes Wild in a Netflix two-set; to my surprise, I was disappointed with the comparatively famous madcap film, and fell hard for Together Again. If only the smart folks who’d named the former had taken a crack at the latter.
This post is part of the Classic Movie Blog Association’s blogathon on Underseen and Underrated films. If you haven’t checked out the other entries yet, go see them now!
I’m in the Love Affair over An Affair to Remember camp with you.
For years I would pass over this title in the Leonard Maltin movie book and wonder if I would ever get the chance to see it. Then I almost missed the darn thing because of the bland title – then I got to see an adorable movie – then I forgot what it was called.
Coincidence time: last night’s final Jeopardy! category was sculpture and this movie popped right into my head.
Title time: My candidate for the worst title is Conflict (1945). They paid somebody for that.
You forgot too!:) I love it. Conflict IS worse! I haven’t seen that–probably for just that reason. That’s so funny the film was in your head after the Jeopardy! question. The sculpture as a unifying plot concept is so odd in this film. I kept thinking there was a better way to get them together.
Oh my goodness, yes! I agree with you about Love Affair and Deborah Kerr. I’ve seen many of her films and she seems so remote and lacking warmth.
Yes, remote is a perfect word. In some roles, that works for her. But not in that one.
Yup, I’m another one who prefers Love Affair to the remake. Dunne and Boyer are exquisite together, which means I must check out this film…the one with the boring name…What’s it called again? 😉
Exactly:)
This sounds great! I’ve never seen it or heard of it, but I’ll certainly look for it now.
Definitely do! Coburn! That’s enough of a reason:)
This sounds like a hoot! I just realized I haven’t seen enough of Dunne and this one sounds like a good one to correct that. And yeah, ‘Together Again’?? It’s like the studio heads couldn’t think of anything better and gave up!
It’s a fun one! Yes, it’s amazingly generic.:)
Yikes! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this – as I adore Mr. Boyer and love Ms. Dunne. Thanks for a crackerjack review and adding yet another list to my very long list of “gotta see”s.
You won’t want to miss it then!
This blogathon has some of the best entries I’ve ever seen in one event, and yours adds yet another (as you point out, totally forgettable) title to my endless must-watch list. I’m nuts about Coburn (who isn’t?) and Boyer, and often Dunne, especially if she’s not singing. For me a little of her warbling goes a loooooong way. Hope I can find this one soon, I’d love to watch it with my Mom before her visit ends in a few days, it’s right up our alley. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
It has been so much fun, hasn’t it? Thank you. I’m with you on the singing. The only time I enjoyed it is when she laughed at the end of a song during The Awful Truth. But oh, how I love it when she talks:)
Charles Boyer is enough to scare me away from any movie, too. (Just don’t scare for him.) But I like Dunne, so I will have to be on the lookout for this one the next time it turns up on Tee Cee Em. Splendid job!
Thank you. Yes, I like when he’s evil, like in Gaslight, so that I can root against him:)
I know what you mean about the title! As I read the title of your post, I totally zoned out what film went with it, even though I’ve seen it. 🙂 I love Coburn and Dunne…I could have watched a whole film with just them! For some reason, what I always remember is the line where she tells him that he has the right shape for Cupid, but his aim’s a little off. 🙂
You’ve inspired me! Several months ago I was going to write a post about the two films – Affair to Remember and Love Affair – and for some reason put it off. You’ve made me want to revisit that topic. Thanks!
Oh, I’d forgotten that one:) I love those two. Yes, that’s a great topic to cover. Can’t wait to read your post!
Thanks for the suggestion of another Irene Dunne film that bears watching, I think the film of hers that I prefer the most is “My Favorite Wife”. I enjoy Coburn very much, too!
The Awful Truth is my favorite, but My Favorite Wife is a lot of fun. I also prefer her Love Affair to An Affair to Remember. If you like Coburn and Dunne, you’ll love this one.