In Name Only (1939)

75% of users liked it
(638 ratings)

Based on Memory of Love, a novel by Bessie Breuer, In Name Only is soap opera par excellence, blessed with a peerless cast. Carole Lombard plays widow Julie Eden, who meets and falls in love with unhappily married Alec Walker (Cary Grant). Having married Alec solely for his wealth and family… More Based on Memory of Love, a novel by Bessie Breuer, In Name Only is soap opera par excellence, blessed with a peerless cast. Carole Lombard plays widow Julie Eden, who meets and falls in love with unhappily married Alec Walker (Cary Grant). Having married Alec solely for his wealth and family prestige, his manipulative wife, Maida (Kay Francis), has managed to convince everyone -- even Alec's parents -- that she is the victimized one and that Alec is an irresponsible philanderer. Making matters worse, Maida refuses to give Alec a divorce so that he can find happiness in the arms of the sweet, unassuming Julie. Almost miraculously, Maida agrees to let Alec go, only to capriciously renege at the last minute and sue Julie for alienation of affections. Disconsolately, Alec goes on a bender, falling asleep in front of an open window and contracting pneumonia. As Alec lays seriously ill in a hospital bed, Julie tearfully agrees to give him up if only Maida will try to make him happy. But Maida isn't about to give up this moment of triumph, cheerfully bragging about her underhanded methods and her intention to take Alec for every penny that he has. Without giving away the outcome, it can be noted that, figuratively speaking, loose lips sink ships. Though In Name Only could have been a wallow in bathos, the performances by the stars -- and the knowing direction of John Cromwell -- elevate the production to the level of "romance classic." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: John Cromwell
Written By: Richard Sherman
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 4, 1939 Wide
Studio: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
... a well-made refined tearjerker melodrama that would have profited more as a screwball comedy.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Considering the three main stars a curiously obscure drama from the legendary year of 1939. Superior soap opera contains some of the best work Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis ever put on film. Carole shows that she wasn't just a superb comedienne but a skilled dramatic… More
Considering the three main stars a curiously obscure drama from the legendary year of 1939. Superior soap opera contains some of the best work Cary Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis ever put on film. Carole shows that she wasn't just a superb comedienne but a skilled dramatic actress. Cary is just right in blending the facile with the seriousness of the untenable situation he finds himself in. As good as both of them are, and they are great, even better is Kay Francis, a portrait in silky malevolence. This was inexpicably almost the end of her film career, she ended up in Poverty Row junk only a few years later and after watching this it's hard to understand how this didn't open up a whole new chapter for her as the wicked woman of cinema. Perhaps she was just too early for noir, she would have been perfect as a poison pit viper in many of those pictures.

Cast

            Carole Lombard as Julie Eden

            Cary Grant as Alec Walker

            Kay Francis as Maida Walker

            Charles Coburn as Mr. Richard Walker

            Helen Vinson as Suzanne Duress

            Katherine Alexander as Laura Morton

            Peggy Ann Garner as Ellen Eden

            Jonathan Hale as Dr. Edward "Ned" Gateson

            Maurice Moscovich as Dr. Muller

            Nella Walker as Mrs. Grace Walker

            Spencer Charters as Fred Gardener

            Arthur Ayleswofth as Farmer on truck

            Alan Baxter as Charley Drunk in Bar

            Jack Chapin as Bellhop

            Charles Coleman as Archie Duress

            John Dilson
            
            Byron Foulger as Owen

            Gus Glassmire as Hospital Attendant

            Sam Harris as Party guest

            Mary MacLaren as Nurse

            Harold Miller as Boat passenger

            Bert Moorhouse as College Man

            Clive Morgan as Party guest

            Alex Pollard as Butler

            Frank Puglia as Tony Restaurant Manager

            George Rosener as Dr. Hastings Hotel Doctor

            Robert Strange as Hotel manager

            Grady Sutton as Paul Graham Suzanne's Escort

            Melinda Wood Allen
            
            Lloyd Ingraham as Elevator operator

            Frank Mills as Bartender

            James Adamson
            
            Douglas Gordon as Steward

            Tony Merlo as Waiter

            Sandra Morgan as Boat passenger

            Florence Wix as Party guest

            Harriet Matthews as Boat passenger

            Kathryn Wilson as Party Guest

            John Laing as Chauffeur
See full cast