Review of Penny Serenade (1941) by Scott S — 05 Jul 2009

Penny Serenade (1941) -- [6.0] -- In this Depression-era weepy, Cary Grant and Irene Dunne act out the trials and tribulations of a young married couple who canâ??t have a child of their own. The movie is sweet during the first and second acts, as they begin the adoption process and come into custody of a baby girl.

But the third act gets a little too maudlin for my taste. After tragedy strikes, the movie tries too hard for a happy ending that just comes off confounding. The highlight of the movie comes when Cary Grant is out of work and the court threatens to take the baby girl out of his and Ireneâ??s care.

Grantâ??s impassioned plea to the judge may be the most moving moment of his long and distinguished career.