Come Live with Me isn't the finest example of Jimmy Stewart's work, but his chemistry with Hedy Lamarr make it a charming film that any fan of his should definitely see. This one is out now, with a great treatment from Warner Archive Collection.
“Beautiful Austrian political refugee “Johnny” Jones is about to be deported, leaving the loving arms of a married Manhattan publisher for the waiting arms of the Nazis. The solution: instant citizenship via a marriage of convenience with flat-broke writer Bill Smith, in which the only thing they’ll share is the same last name. Hedy Lamarr plays Johnny and James Stewart plays Bill. Think there’s any chance this marriage will remain strictly business? A chic romp stylishly directed by Clarence Brown, Come Live with Me tempers its sophistications with plenty of charm, compliments of its two iconic stars and 80-year old Adeline de Walt Reynolds in her acting debut (her career lasted 19 years), stealing scenes as Bill’s no-nonsense grandmother.”
Clarence Brown was one of Hollywood’s most reliable and respected directors during the Golden Age, known for his sensitive handling of drama, romance, and strong performances. His filmography includes classics like Anna Karenina (1935), National Velvet (1944), The Yearling (1946), and Intruder in the Dust (1949). Working frequently with major stars, including Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, and Spencer Tracy, Brown had a talent for coaxing strong performances from his actors. With James Stewart, Brown collaborated on several films, including Of Human Hearts (1938) and Come Live With Me (1941), showcasing his ability to blend warmth, humor, and the emotional depth that Stewart always exudes.
Come Live With Me is a delightful romantic comedy with serious undertones, set against the backdrop of wartime deportation fears for European refugees. The humor is genuinely funny and smart, delivered with the natural wit and charm that only Jimmy Stewart could bring to the role. He and Hedy Lamarr have fantastic chemistry, making their evolving relationship feel believable and engaging. While the topic of a marriage of convenience for citizenship may seem like something unheard of at the time, if you suspend your modern notions of the world today, the comedic moments and fantastical events that Bill eventually turns into a hard-to-believe novel become quite funny.
The story provides a touching look at love, convenience, and finding genuine connection in unexpected places. It’s light-hearted but has heart, making it a very enjoyable watch. This isn’t Stewart’s greatest romantic and heart-warming role, but it adds to the tapestry of his performances that made him one of the most pleasant actors to watch one screen.
Video
Warner Archive’s Blu-ray presents the film in a beautiful 1080p High-Definition transfer. The black-and-white cinematography looks crisp and detailed, with excellent contrast and fine film grain preserved. It’s a lovely presentation that does justice to the 1941 production.
Audio
Audio is in clear DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono, with dialogue and the score coming through nicely. It’s faithful to the original sound design.
Special Features
With so many of these films taking place during World War II, I always find it fascinating taking a look at the shorts Warner Archive includes on their discs. It gives you a glimpse into the mindset of the audience seeing the film, whereas today we get mindless trailers with remixes of old songs shoved down our throats for fifteen minutes, audiences then were exposed to actual substance.
- Classic MGM Shorts America Preferred and From the Four Corners
- MGM Cartoon Officer Pooch
- Original Theatrical Trailer
Come Live With Me on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection is a charming gem from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Warner Archive continues their dedication to preserving older films and bringing them to a new generation in high quality. This one’s a treat for fans of classic romantic comedies and the stars involved. Highly recommended!
AV Entertainment provided us with a copy of this disc for review, which if interested, you can pre-purchase here.
