The Lady Is Willing (1942)

75% of users liked it
(81 ratings)

Mitchell Leisen directed this romantic comedy with melodramatic overtones, starring Marlene Dietrich in a sympathetic role as famed stage star Elizabeth Madden. Elizabeth longs for motherhood but has no husband. Her desire appears to be fulfilled when she finds an abandoned baby, but she doesn't… More Mitchell Leisen directed this romantic comedy with melodramatic overtones, starring Marlene Dietrich in a sympathetic role as famed stage star Elizabeth Madden. Elizabeth longs for motherhood but has no husband. Her desire appears to be fulfilled when she finds an abandoned baby, but she doesn't have a clue on how to raise it. She finds divorced pediatrician, Dr. Corey McBain (Fred MacMurray), to help her with the child. Elizabeth names the child after him and makes Corey an offer. Since she's single, she cannot adopt the child. But if Corey would marry her in name only, she could be the adopted mother and Corey could stay in a section of her apartment where she would support his research. Corey agrees to the deal, but it's not too long before Corey and Elizabeth fall in love. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Mitchell Leisen
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 17, 1942 Wide
On DVD: Sep 1, 1993

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A tedious mixture of crass melodrama and heavy-handed comedy.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Marlene Dietrich is the 'ditsy' actress who swipes (kidnaps) an abandoned infant only to discover that she can't keep the baby unless she's married. In walks a handsome pediatrician [Fred MacMurray] and soon a plan is conceived that involves a marriage of… More
Marlene Dietrich is the 'ditsy' actress who swipes (kidnaps) an abandoned infant only to discover that she can't keep the baby unless she's married. In walks a handsome pediatrician [Fred MacMurray] and soon a plan is conceived that involves a marriage of convenience and a few hundred white rabbits.

Cast

            Marlene Dietrich as Elizabeth Madden

            Fred MacMurray as Dr. Corey McBain

            Aline MacMahon as Buddy

            Arline Judge as Frances

            Stanley Ridges as Kenneth Hanline

            Roger Clark as Victor

            Marietta Canty as Mary Lou

            David James as Baby Corey

            Ruth Ford as Myrtle

            Sterling Holloway as Arthur Miggle

            Harvey Stephens as Dr. Golding

            Harry Shannon as Detective Sergeant Barnes

            Elizabeth Risdon as Mrs. Cummings

            Charles Lane as K.K. Miller

            Murray Alper as Joe Quig

            Kitty Kelly as Nellie Quig

            Eddie Acuff as Murphy

            Ernie S. Adams as Doorman

            Myrtle Anderson as Maid

            Georgia Backus as Nurse

            Eugene Borden as Wine Steward

            Romaine Callender as Man

            Chester Clute as Income Tax Man

            Jimmy Conlin as Bum

            Pedro de Cordoba as Detective Sergeant Barnes

            Lou Fulton as Mop Man

            Charles Halton as Dr. Jones

            Neil Hamilton as Charlie

            Robert Emmett Keane as Hotel Manager

            Edward McWade as Boston Doorman

            Frances Morris
            
            William Newell as Counter Man

            Paul Oman as Violinist

            Helen Ainsworth as Interior Decorator

            Judith Linden as Airline Stewardess

            Lorna Dunn as Maid
See full cast