Mitchell Leisen (1898–1972)

Barbara Stanwyck never looked more feminine or gave a more luminous performance than in this touching Christmas classic directed by Mitchell Leisen. A fine screenplay from the great Preston Sturges and an excellent supporting cast bolster this sentimental film into a Holiday staple you’ll watch every Christmas.

Fred MacMurray is Assistant District Attorney John Sargent, charged with prosecuting pretty shoplifter Lee Leander right before Christmas. He coaxes her defense attorney into a postponement so he can spend Christmas on his mom’s farm in Wabash, Indiana. Feeling guilty when Lee reacts badly to being locked up during the Christmas season, he arranges for her release. Startled to find her childhood home is just a few miles from Wabash, John decides he can drop her off and pick her up on his way back to New York for the trial.

As with all good Christmas classics, one must just go with some improbable circumstances and accept what’s happening. Stanwyck and MacMurray were a great team, and there are some very fun moments as they keep getting lost on the backroads of Indiana. There is nothing funny about the reaction of Stanwyck’s mother when she goes home after all those years, however.

John’s family is warm and welcoming, with only his mother (Beulah Bondi) aware of Lee’s situation. Elizabeth Patterson is wonderful as John’s aunt, taking an immediate shine to Lee and helping her worm her way into John’s heart. It is the family Lee never had, the one thing that might have made a difference in how her life has turned out. There is a particularly warm and moving on Christmas morning.

Stanwyck, often unfairly described by her critics as less than beautiful, has never been so much so as in a tender bedroom scene with John’s mother, who realizes her son might love her enough to jeopardize his career. A wonderful moment between the couple at Niagra Falls suggests that his mother may be right. A gesture of love climaxes in a memorable ending for fans with a sentimental heart for Christmas stories.

This is a warm and wonderful film to watch at Christmas, or any time. There are fine performances from everyone, and a truly memorable one from Barbara Stanwyck.… (meer)

This romantic comedy has a sweetness and charm which finally put Carole Lombard on the Hollywood “A” list and cemented her stardom. A tad too tame to live up to the screwball comedies it is often compared to, it has sort of been forgotten.

This was an important film for others as well. Lombard pleaded with Ernst Lubitsch to let Mitchell Leisen direct and her great instincts for talent put Leisen on the fast track also. Cinematographer Ted Tetzlaff became her photographer of choice, and looking at how lovely she is here, you can see why.

Lombard is manicurist Regi Allen, looking for a rich sugar daddy. Ralph Bellamy is paralyzed ex-pilot Allen Macklyn, a millionaire who takes a shine to her and becomes her friend. He has romantic notions as well but in a better than usual role for Bellamy, it is he who will help Regi discover that love is more important than money.

Fred MacMurray is terrific as Theodore Drew III, who has the society name but no longer the money to go with it. Regi doesn't know this, of course, and when she discovers he’s engaged to “Pineapple Queen” Vivian Snowden (Astrid Allwyn), that's when the two really begin to fall in love. There is a real sweetness and charm to scenes between the two leads, as Ted bums a place to sleep from Regi and she tucks him in at night.

Once a phone call supposedly made from Bermuda gives Vivian the scoop on what’s happening, she intends to nip it in the bud. Vivian discovers Ted’s crazy phone call from Bemuda was actually made from New York and sets out to put a stop to it. But when Ted begins considering looking for a real job, it might be too late.

Both fun and charming, “Hands Across the Table” has a certain sweetness that gets under the viewer’s skin and makes the slight story very enjoyable. Lombard and MacMurray had such an easy rapport it’s really no mystery why they were so often paired during this period. A fun ending is right in line with the easy charm of the rest of the film.

Though some screwball elements are in place here, those expecting that type of farce will be let down. Those fond of romantic comedy, however, and Lombard in particular, will love this film.… (meer)