Vivacious Lady (1938)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(970 ratings)

James Stewart and Ginger Rogers were "an item" when Vivacious Lady was filmed, and their obvious real-life affection for one another pours over onto the screen. Stewart plays Peter Morgan, a young botany professor who while on a visit to New York impulsively marries free-spirited nightclub singer… More James Stewart and Ginger Rogers were "an item" when Vivacious Lady was filmed, and their obvious real-life affection for one another pours over onto the screen. Stewart plays Peter Morgan, a young botany professor who while on a visit to New York impulsively marries free-spirited nightclub singer Francey (Rogers). A few obstacles lie in the path of connubial bliss, however, including Peter's bitchy ex-fiancee Helen (Frances Mercer) and his stern college-dean father Peter Morgan Sr. (Charles Coburn). Hoping to break the news of his marriage gently to Helen and his father, Pete contrives to keep the union a secret, with the expected embarrassing results. Before the final fade-out, both Morgan Senior and Morgan Junior are on the outs with their respective wives, and it takes an uproariously tearful reunion on a passenger train to straighten things out. In his first outing as a producer, director George Stevens shows off his two-reel-comedy training with a number of hilarious comedy setpieces (the best is a slapsticky cat-fight between the two rivals for Pete's affections), though things tend to slow down towards the end. Stevens also finds room for several of his favorite character actors, including Grady Sutton, Franklin Pangborn and Willie Best, to do their time-honored specialties. Best of all is Beulah Bondi as James Stewart's mother (one of several such assignments), delivering a most unusual and touchingly funny performance. In short, Vivacious Lady was a guaranteed box-office smash even before the cameras began to turn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: George Stevens
Written By: P. J. Wolfson, Ernest Pagano
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: May 13, 1938 Wide
Studio: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Vivacious Lady is entertainment of the highest order and broadest appeal.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Vintage George Stevens comedy, dating from the brief period in which his deliberate style was a deepening virtue, stopping short of the ossification that cursed his later work.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A charming, fast-moving comedy.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Lighthearted screwball comedy that serves its two stars, Ginger Rogers and James Stewart, very well.
, Time Out
Rogers is the accomplished centrepiece of the film, slightly atypical as the soft-focus romantic heroine, but with welcome eruptions of her tough and shrewd persona throughout.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stella D

rarely seen screwball comedy and the only screen pairing of rogers and stewart who were dating at the time. after a whirlwind romance, botany professor stewart tries to introduce his new bride, nightclub singer rogers, to the stuffy academic crowd, especially his father, university… More
rarely seen screwball comedy and the only screen pairing of rogers and stewart who were dating at the time. after a whirlwind romance, botany professor stewart tries to introduce his new bride, nightclub singer rogers, to the stuffy academic crowd, especially his father, university president charles coburn. many fun scenes and great chemistry among the cast. u just can't go wrong with drunk jimmy stewart

Cast

            Ginger Rogers as Francey Brent

            James Stewart as Peter Morgan

            James Ellison as Keith Morgan

            Beulah Bondi as Martha Morgan

            Charles Coburn as Peter Morgan Sr.

            Frances Mercer as Helen

            Franklin Pangborn as Apartment Manager

            Grady Sutton as Culpepper

            Jack Carson as Charlie

            Alec Craig as Joseph the Chauffeur

            Sleep 'n' Eat as Porter

            Bobby Barber as Italian

            Lee Bennett Sobel as Student

            Maurice Black as Headwaiter

            Stanley Blystone
            
            William Brisbane
            
            George Chandler as Man on Train

            Spencer Charters as Husband in Couple

            Edgar Dearing
            
            Vernon Dent
            
            Maude Eburne as Wife in Couple

            Phyllis Fraser
            
            Helena Grant
            
            Hattie McDaniel as Hattie the Maid

            Vinton Haworth as Druggist

            June Johnson as Miss Barton

            Phyllis Kennedy as Jenny the Maid

            Dorothy Moore as Hat Check Girl

            Ed Mortimer as Publisher

            Barbara Pepper
            
            Floyd Shackelford as Porter

            Kay Sutton
            
            Frank M. Thomas as Train Conductor

            Lloyd Ingraham as Noble the Professor

            Ray Mayer as Man on Train

            Dennis O'Keefe
            
            Dorothy Johnson
            
            Tom Quinn as Maitre d'

            June Horne
            
            Marvin Jones Darrin Smith as Boy on Bus

            Vivian Reid
            
            Katharine Ellis as uncredited

            Robert Holton
            
See full cast