Review of Idiot's Delight (1939) by Scott S — 17 Jul 2009

Idiot's Delight (1939) -- [4.5] -- Clark Gable and Norma Sheerer play a pair of ambitious, odd-ball dreamers who fall in love during the start of WWII. Both are playing broad comedy. Shearer is pretending to be a Russian countess most of the movie, while Gable is trying to lead his all girl review to fame and fortune.

I like both actors, but I didn't like them together in this movie. I was apathetic to their causes and their relationship. I could tolerate the modest dose of war propagandizing. It's interesting that there are two different endings for the movie (TCM played both), a happier one for the domestic release, and a more sobering one for international audiences (many of whom were already at war at the time).

I think this might also be the only movie you'll see Clark Gable sing or dance, and this is a good thing.