Come Live with Me
Tags: romantic

Plot synopsis:
Johnny Jones (Lamarr), a native of Vienna, Austria who escaped after its annexation by Nazi Germany, is having an affair with the married Barton Kendrick (Ian Hunter), a publisher. One night an officer from the Department of Immigration finds her and tells her that she will be deported because her temporary passport expired three months ago. The investigator tells her that if she can be married within a week, she can stay.
Bill Smith (Stewart), a down-on-his-luck writer, runs into Jones in a diner during a rainstorm. She explains to him that she needs to marry an American citizen within a week and since he is broke, she could pay him and they would both get what they need. She pays him $17.80 a week in exchange for marrying her. Two months later, Smith is writing a book about the odd circumstances of his marriage and becomes curious about Jones, considering he only sees her once a week when she gives him a check.
Meanwhile, Jones is continuing her affair with Kendrick, but refuses to tell him how she has remained in the country. He tells Jones that he is leaving his wife and wants to marry Jones within two months. She tells Bill she wants a divorce right away, which he reluctantly agrees to. Smith finishes his book and sends it to Kendrick's publishing company, where Kendrick's wife Diane (Verree Teasdale) explains the book to Kendrick and he realizes that Smith is Jones' husband. Kendrick's chooses to publish the book and gives Smith $500 up front. After seeing Kendrick's reaction to the book, his wife realizes that he has been having an affair and that the book is real. Mrs. Kendrick decides to divorce him, but wants to make sure that Jones is actually in love with her husband first.
Meanwhile, Smith buys a new car and coerces Jones to go on a trip with him before he will sign the divorce papers. She ends up falling in love with Bill while on vacation, after meeting his family. Kendrick comes to Smith's grandmother's house in the middle of the night and Jones is forced to make the decision about who she wants, and she picks Bill.

Review: This is a wonderful Jimmy Stewart and Hedy Lamarr movie.
I loved every frame of this 1941 light romantic comedy when Hedy Lamarr is paired with Jimmy Stewart.It has been said so many times before but Hedy had such beauty both in body and spirit that it is almost worth seeing a film with her in it just to gape in awe at her.I am gradually building up my collection of Hedy's films which include Exctacy (1933), Algiers (1938), Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945) and Dishonored Lady (1947).We must not forget that she also had intelligence and invented in 1942, at the height of her Hollywood career, a frequency-switching system for torpedo guidance that was two decades ahead of its time which with a colleague, she patented.In this film Hedy has overstayed her visitor's visa and the immigration officials are on to her.This is unfortunate for her in war time as she would have to return to her native Vienna.Of course as the good natured immigration official suggests, if she could find a husband within the week he decides to turn a blind eye, she could stay in America.Cue Jimmy Stuart failed writer who has the rejection slips and pawn tickets piling up in his flat.Can he meet this week's rent?Hedy has an idea.She requests he writes down his weekly expenditure and she will pay him regular amounts based on this budget in consideration of a civil marriage of convenience, thus avoiding deportation.Jimmy Stewart will regard as an accumulating loan until such time as his novel is sold to the publisher's and he will have enough money to pay off the debt.The coincidence is that his publisher (Ian Hunter) is simultaneously having an affair with Hedy.She only visits him at his flat to pay him his regular instalment, so despite being husband and wife, at least in the eyes of the law, they never really have got to know one another.As time goes by Jimmy is starting to care for Hedy and he invites her to visit his grandmother in the country where passions deepen.Hedy is still unsure at this stage and uses a ruse to phone her married sugar daddy Ian Hunter giving him directions where she is.It is night and Hedy and Jimmy both must go to their respective bedrooms but Jimmy keeps making excuses to stay in her bedroom before reluctantly leaving.Their bedrooms have a partial wall over which light can be seen so they can converse with one another when both in their beds.The Grandmother has a hobby of embroidering sayings all around her home some of which humorously fit the action on the screen.When Ian Hunter arrives at the address to fetch his mistress, guess who Hedy selects?
Hedy Lamarr is a foreign born showgirl and kept mistress of publisher Ian Hunter.
Immigration has gotten on her case and before Hunter can get his influence peddling machine in gear, Hedy's having some anxious moments.But as Hollywood fate must have it she meets up with aspiring writer James Stewart and they agree to a marriage of convenience to keep her in the country.
And to seal the bargain Lamarr actually agrees to pay Stewart a "salary" so that romance won't creep into things.Well wouldn't you know it, Stewart writes about the arrangement in a prospective new novel that he takes to publisher Hunter.
The rest of this film is rather obvious.What I find curious about this film is that the plot I described could easily be the basis for some sophisticated screwball comedy or a tender romance, given the writers, director, and players.
Stewart and Lamarr are just fine in their roles as is Hunter.
Please note the performances of Verree Teasdale as Hunter's wife, Adeline DeWalt Reynolds as Stewart's grandmother and the whimsical Donald Meek, just being Donald Meek in a Donald Meek part.The title Come Live With Me is the first line of a Christopher Marlowe sonnet, a romantic piece that fits the tone of the whole film.
I was a little bored with the first half hour of this film, but a well-written turn of events sends this movie in the right direction.
However, formula goes out the door with Jimmy Stewart's charm and Hedy Lamarr's stunning beauty.
The grandmother's calm voice, the sound of crickets chirping, and the other country nuances slow down the pace to a level that seems so foreign to an actress like Hedy Lamarr.
Virginia Van Upp and Patterson McNutt have written one of the best theories on this subject.Bill Smith (James Stewart) is an unsuccessful writer who is literally down to his last dime.
Johnny Jones, played by the gorgeous Hedy Lamarr, has just found out some devastating news.
Bill is very much opposed to the idea but in the end she talks him into it with the understanding that when he sells his novel, he will pay back everything.Johnny visits Bill once a week to give him the check and Bill begins to write about their situation.
"In my opinion it's perfectly alright for two strangers to get married but you've got to know each other before you get a divorce," he says.The title of the movie comes from the first line in Christopher Marlowe's The Passionate Shepherd to His Love.
Come Live With Me is more than just another typical romantic comedy.
COME LIVE WITH ME manages to be a charming trifle of a romantic comedy that gives HEDY LAMARR and JAMES STEWART a chance to prove that they may have seemed like an unlikely pair but have sparkling chemistry with each other.Hedy is incredibly beautiful (as always) as a woman who must find a husband quickly or be deported.
She makes a strictly business proposition with the man, a writer down on his luck, which he rather readily accepts--and a loveless marriage is negotiated so that she can wed Stewart, stay in the country longer, and then wed IAN HUNTER, who intends to divorce his wife.It's all rather silly and highly improbable.
The deepening relationship between Stewart and Lamarr is never really fleshed out so that the viewer can expect to see hints of romance developing.
Instead, after his story is accepted by a publisher (Hunter), Stewart decides to whisk Lamarr off to the country to meet his grandmother in a picture perfect rural setting.
Naturally, love develops quickly and before you know it, Ian Hunter is out of the running as Hedy's prospective mate.The most original element in the story has to do with fireflies and Hedy's decision to use a flashlight "to attract a mate".It's an unassuming little comedy/romance, nicely played by the two leads and given good support by ADELINE DeWALT REYNOLDS as the grandma with her platitudes on plaques, VERREE TEASDALE as the publisher's open minded wife, DONALD MEEK as a park bum and FRANK FAYLEN as a tough talking counterman at a diner.Clarence Brown must be commended for getting a relaxed and assured performance from Lamarr, who never looked lovelier.
This film started off rather poorly, as you learn that Hedy Lamarr is the mistress of Ian Hunter--a married man who has a "modern marriage".
In an odd bit of casting, the immigration agent (Barton MacLane) liked Hedy and suggested that she could get married to an American and thereby stay in the country.
So, a bit later, when she meets down-and-out Jimmy Stewart, she suggests they get married in name only.
Unfortunately, over time, Jimmy finds himself falling for Hedy--though they hardly know each other.I could talk more about the plot, but don't want to ruin it.
This is exactly the sort of romance that MGM did best and it's well worth a look--just don't get turned off by Ian Hunter's character--it does get better..
Hedy Lamarr is as dazzling as ever with a wardrobe to match in "Come Live with Me," a 1941 light romantic comedy directed by Clarence Brown and also starring James Stewart.
Lamarr is Johannes "Johnny" Jones, a showgirl who has immigrated from "what was Austria"; however, her visa has run out.
Her boyfriend, publisher Barton Kendrick (Ian Hunter) has an open arrangement with his wife (Veree Teasdale); he also has connections, but immigration shows up too soon.
The immigration officer takes pity on Johnny and gives her one week to get married so she can stay in the country.
Obviously, she can't, but then she meets a down and out writer, Bill Smith (Stewart) and talks him into marrying her.
She agrees to pay him $17 a week, which equals his living expenses."Come Live with Me" is not a rip-roaring screwball comedy but a nice romantic one with some fine performances from Lamarr, Stewart, Hunter, Teasdale, Donald Meek, and Adeline De Walt Reymolds as Bill's grandmother.
Vienna refugee Hedy Lamarr, living in a swank apartment in Manhattan, finds herself in a spot: her visa has run out and immigration is giving her one week to marry an American or be deported.
Since her married lover can't get a divorce that quickly, Lamarr proposes to down-on-his-luck writer James Stewart; she'll pay his expenses while keeping her own address, he'll work on his new story, which is extremely autobiographical!
Stewart overdoes the loud yammering shtick, but he also has some funny bits (especially one with a cigarette) and a sweet moment near the end where he recites Hedy a poem.
A very nice vehicle for a good cast, and Lamarr is, of course, stunning to look at.
Jimmy, Hedy, goofy Ian Hunter, and "sensible" Verree Teasedale make a wonderful primary cast for this nice film.
Clarence Brown directed a lot of fantastic films, so I'm guessing the script/story faults are partly from Virginia Van Upp (story) and Patterson McNutt (screenplay); who knows what the role producers at MGM had in trimming the movie for release..
Austrian refugee (Hedy Lamarr) asks a penniless writer (James Stewart) to marry her so she won't be deported.
The problem is she's already in a relationship -- with a married man (Ian Hunter).This was a pleasant surprise.
The only 'bad' character in the movie is Ian Hunter's and even he's played mostly for laughs.
Wealthy Manhattan publisher Ian Hunter (as Barton "Bart" Kendrick) has an "open marriage" with attractive blonde wife Verree Teasdale (as Diana) and loves beautiful brunette mistress Hedy Lamarr (as Johanna "Johnny" Janns).
If more illegal aliens looked like Hedy Lamarr, the support for leniency and amnesty would grow.
Because she is pretty, Lamarr is given one week to find an American husband...To avoid being deported, Lamarr offers struggling writer James Stewart (as William "Bill" Smith) a deal.
Then, Mr. Stewart can continue writing and Lamarr can continue her affair with Mr. Hunter.
The most valuable player, producer/director Clarence Brown works wonders with this material.****** Come Live with Me (1/29/41) Clarence Brown ~ James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Ian Hunter, Adeline de Walt Reynolds.
But, things didn't work out as La migra comes knocking on the door and wants to throw poor Johnny (Hedy Lamarr) out of the country because her Visa expires.
She and Barton (Ian Hunter) are in love, and he wants to leave his wife for her.
The immigration officer feels sorry for her (Call Lou Dobbs!) and gives her a week to find an American husband.Enter Jimmy Stewart, a failed writer that is literally down to his last dime.
She finances his novel and they get married, but Stewart is not happy to leave it that way, so he plans a trip home to Granny's house to make a final pitch.It was a little silly at times.
The wronged wife was even willing to let her man go if Hedy really loved him.
But more of that later.COME LIVE WITH ME deals with a man with a "modern" view of marriage.
Mr. Barton Kendrick (Ian Hunter) is a wealthy in New York, whose wife is his chief friend and critic and assistant in the firm.
Barton girlfriend is Johnnie Jones (Hedy Lamarr), and their relationship is fine, but soon an immigration officer (Barton MacLane, playing a rare nice guy role) comes to inform her that she has to go to the Immigration Office in New York City because her visa has run out - and she is facing deportation.
But MacLane learns from Hunter that Lamarr will be killed if deported back to Austria as her father was an opponent of Hitler and the Nazis who was killed for his opposition.
MacLane tells Lamarr to go and find someone to marry within one week, and the deportation problem will disappear.
After MacLane leaves Hunter explains he can't divorce Teasdale in a week to marry Lamarr.
So Hedy goes out for a walk to think things through clearly.(It is funny to recall that this film was made a year after Mitchell Leisin's film HOLD BACK THE DAWN, about immigrants trying to enter our country from Mexico within our impossible post 1924 immigration quotas.
See the modern Gerald Depardieu comedy GREEN CARD to see the change in the rule.)Lamarr, in walking past Central Park, runs across a man named Bill Smith (Jimmy Steward) that she thinks is a bum.
Interestingly he calls the novel WITHOUT LOVE (a title that would one day be that of an MGM film with Tracy and Hepburn having another of convenience).
When she describes the plot to Hunter, he realizes it is his relationship with Lamarr that is at the basis of the novel.
Teasdale also notices that Hunter's protests of the novel's plot are too deep to be sheer literary criticism, and realizes that it must be about her husband.Steward uses the money to reimburse Lamarr for her weekly payment of his use as a make-shift husband.
Then he forces her (politely) to accompany him to his country home (she wants him to sign the divorce papers, and he won't unless she accompanies him), and slowly wins her over by the beauties of the countryside, and his grandmother's (Adeline De Walt Reynolds) lovable and strong character.
We watch Lamarr gradually note Steward's strong points, and even hear him recite Christopher Marlowe's poem "Come Live With Me and Be My Bride...." which is the basis of the film.
Will Hedy stick with Ian or go with Jimmy.The film is certainly quite charming, but what I find most interesting at the end is the business of the Grandmother.
But if so or not COME LIVE WITH ME is good enough to be liked on it's own merits as an entertaining movie..
No doubt many moviegoers were intrigued by the film's theme as well as enjoying seeing James Stewart and Lamarr, who had fast become a star.
Lamarr is Johnny Jones, a foreign citizen with money who wants to stay in the U.S. after her visa has expired.
She is the love interest of a married wealthy American publisher, Barton Kendrick (played by Ian Hunter).
She runs into Bill Smith (played by Stewart) who is an out-of-work, down on his luck writer.
Barton Kendrick (played by Ian Hunter) is a wealthy publisher.
His wife, Diana (played by Verree Teasdale) reads the manuscript of a story Smith has written and sent to Kendrick publishing.
It's a story about an out of work American who meets an Austrian immigrant who wants to stay in America One can guess where the story goes from there, and the best funny stuff in the film happens toward the end.
It's an OK film that's mostly a light comedy romance.
And, the way the characters play their roles – especially Lamarr, it's hard to believe the romance.
This film is far down on the list of Stewart movies, but it's about in the middle of Lamarr's.
Even though she was for some time labeled the most beautiful woman in the world, and she had some talent, Lamarr's films mostly were forgettable.
Still, this is a film that most people should enjoy, Lamarr quit acting after 1958.
She was unlucky in love and married and divorced one more time.
Jimmy Stewart recites the first and last stanzas of Christopher Marlowe's poem, "Come live with me and be my love." Bill, "My name's Smith." Johnny, "My name's Jones." Taxi driver, "Let's see – Smith and Jones, and I'm Snow White."Johnny, "Mr. Smith, it's such a wonderful thing." Bill, "Why?" Johnny, "That you haven't any money." Taxi driver, "And I thought I'd heard everything." Bill, as he and Johnny enter his apartment, "It's just a little place, but its dreary." Pointing out his empty book case, "If you want to browse among my books, the pawnshop's just around the corner." Bill, "Would you like to have some music?
A woman who escapes Nazi controlled Austria must marry an American or face deportation.
This is the problem facing Hedy Lamarr but she can't make the most of it due to the inept writing.
They certainly could have made her romance James Stewart more during the week she had before facing being removed.
Why in heaven's name didn't he do this before her marriage to Stewart.Going up to grandma's house at the end of this film does nothing either.
A nice romantic comedy about a marriage of convenience between Hedy Lamarr and Jimmy Stewart where an illegal Austrian woman is subject to deportation and looks for a US citizen to marry to avoid being deported.
The weak points in the movie is how a woman would go to a near perfect stranger's apartment to discuss the marriage proposal and how she could have allowed herself to be "forced" to accompany her husband of convenience to his family farm for a visit.
I think the film needed a bit of more development between the two characters as they were falling in love.
The woman's original lover just driving away that quickly after she decided to stay with her husband did not seem plausible given the relationship that the former lovers had at the beginning of the movie.