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Free and Easy
Free and Easy
	Film poster
Directed by	George Sidney; Edward Buzzell (uncredited)
Screenplay by	Marvin Borowsky
Based on	The Truth Game; 1928 play; by Ivor Novello
Starring	Robert Cummings; Ruth Hussey; Judith Anderson; C. Aubrey Smith
Cinematography	George J. Folsey; Charles Lawton, Jr.
Edited by	Frank E. Hull
Music by	Daniele Amfitheatrof
Production; company	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed by	Loew's Inc.
Release date	February 28, 1941;
Running time	56 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$244,000
Box office	$333,000

Free and Easy is a 1941 American comedy film directed by George Sidney and starring Robert Cummings, Ruth Hussey, Judith Anderson and Nigel Bruce. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film is a remake of But the Flesh Is Weak (1932) in which Robert Montgomery and C. Aubrey Smith had appeared as the son-and-father team.^[2] Both films are based on the 1928 play The Truth Game by Ivor Novello.^[3]

Synopsis

Max (Cummings) and his father (Bruce) are both looking to marry wealthy women, which would be easier if either one of them had any money of their own. Max decides on Martha (Hussey), but Martha says no when he says that he is poor as she admits she is also. So she accepts the proposal of Sir Kelvin (Owen), but changes her mind by the next day. When Florian tries to win money gambling for Max's wedding, he loses a bundle. When Max finds out about the debt, he decides to marry the wealthy Lady Joan (Anderson) to keep Florian out of jail.

Cast

Robert Cummings as Max Clemington
Ruth Hussey as Martha Gray
Judith Anderson as Lady Joan Culver
C. Aubrey Smith as Duke Colver
Nigel Bruce as Florian Clemington
Charles Coleman as Powers, Culver's butler
Reginald Owen as Sir Kelvin
Teresa Maxwell-Conover as Lady Ridgeway

Production

It was George Sidney's first feature as director. "Nobody else on the lot would do it," he later said.^[4] He had worked at MGM since 1931 and been directing studio shorts and screen tests; two of his shorts won Oscars - Quicker 'n a Wink (1940) and Of Pups and Puzzles (1941). This enabled him to move up to features.^[5]

Sidney had directed Robert Cummings in a screen test in 1935.^[6]

Cummings was borrowed from Universal in December 1940. Filming started in late December 1940. The week before filming Edward Buzzell was to direct.^[7] However then Sidney stepped in. Filming ended in January 1941 though there were some reshoots later in the month.^[8]

Reception

Critical

The Los Angeles Times said Cummings plays "a likable cad who isn't too likable outside of his own natural effervescence."^[9] The New York Times said it was made with "a lack of success... only Robert Cummings, as the bouncing hero, gives the impression of enjoying himself. And Mr Cummings's enthusiasm is of the bouncing, juvenile sort. So the whole thing adds up to a vapid and completely inconsequential charade."^[10]

In 1945 George Sidney told a reporter doing a profile on him that "I'm sure you missed [the film] and you were lucky if you did."^[4] One of Sidney's obituaries called it "a feeble comedy."^[11] However it did launch his career.

Filmink called it "a brief post-Philadelphia Story attempt to turn" Hussey "into a star... which no one much remembers."^[12]

Box office

According to MGM records the film earned $205,000 in the US and Canada and $128,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $33,000.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
^ "Free and Easy - Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast - AllMovie". Allrovi.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
^ Free and Easy Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 8, Iss. 85, (Jan 1, 1941): 69.
^ ^a ^b DIRECTED SUBTLY BY G. SIDNEY: Flat-Foot Sidney Testing Self Criticism By BARBARA BERCH. New York Times 28 Oct 1945: X3.
^ George Sidney: A Matter of Taste Morris, George. Film Comment; New York Vol. 13, Iss. 6, (Nov/Dec 1977): 56-60.
^ Davis, Ronald L. (2005). Just Making Movies. University Press of Mississippi. p. 63. ISBN 9781578066902.
^ By DOUGLAS W CHURCHILL NEWS OF THE SCREEN. New York Times (
^ "United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit - Cummings vs Universal 1944". Internet Archive. p. 565.
^ Sequel to 'Boys Town' Ready Hit Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 10 Apr 1941: A10.
^ THE SCREEN: At Loew's Criterion By BOSLEY CROWTHER. New York Times 3 Apr 1941: 29.
^ Obituary: George Sidney: Stylish director from Hollywood's golden age of musicals Bergan, Ronald. The Guardian 7 May 2002: 1.16.
^ Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.