Review of In Name Only (1939) by Jack W — 24 Nov 2011

Why is is that certain stars fade from our memory while others linger more firmly? This is what I ask myself after watching IN NAME ONLY (John Cromwell, RKO, 1939). I ask myself this because this film is maybe the second or third film I have seen with Carole Lombard as the female lead and it puzzles me why she isn't remembered quite the same way as other great stars of her time. She was just as big as any star from the era, made many memorable films with her playing amazing roles. But many more people remember Katherine or Audrey Hepburn. They know Monroe or Dietrich. It seems that Lombard is forgotten some and for me this is a shame.

Because IN NAME ONLY she shines like no other. From the very first shot of the film as she clumsily fails at fishing we are captivated by her amazing grace, subtle beauty and an innate likability that resides within her and her performances. She is beautiful, though not overly so and she definitely resembles the theories archetype of femininity. She holds herself with style and grace, much like the later Audrey Hepburn and I feel there exists to an ease in which we relate to her, adding to her charm. And her performance in this film is really good, matching all they way with her two co-stars.

Cary Grant and Kay Francis co-star in the film and both give tremendous performances. Grant, always the gentlemen we all aspire to be, gives his normal top class. There is not a role he does that doesn't exude his persona (although his best roles are his comedic ones). And Kay Francis is spectacular as the jilted wife Maeda, struggling to remain in a marriage of status, all she desires in life. Her performance is cunning and ruthless, cold and aloof all at the same time.

The narrative to the film is quite good. It is romantic and endearing; at times funny and of course it hits the methodology of a romantic comedy quite well. I compare it favorably to LOVE AFFAIR (Leo McCarey, RKO, 1939) and can only surmise that the often interminable sadness which accompanies that film makes it so it is remembered more romantically when compared to IN NAME ONLY. One is just as good as the other, to me.