And So They Were Married

Movie shows kids beginning to understand why the parents need to move on with their lives. Nice ensemble cast. Of course it's a black and white but still relatable ski scenes.

I enjoyed this little bit of fluff movie for its story line and the stars portrayals of their characters. But I most enjoy seeing the location shooting of the snow walls along the Lincoln Highway (old Hwy 40) ascending to Donner Summit in 1935 and the views looking down upon the snow encrusted Donner Lake and the serpentine highway with an auto driving up with tire chains. Yes, tire chains used in snow in 1935. Enjoy the movie for what it is as light holiday entertainment but if you've ever skied on Donner Summit or traveled over the summit in the winter en route to Reno you can also enjoy it for the 1935 views of winter travel.

Los Angeles divorcée Mary Astor (as Edith Farnham) and mature nine-year-old daughter Edith Fellows (as Brenda) arrive at the mountainous "Snowcrest Lodge" for Christmas week. Both shun male companionship, due to Ms. Astor's marital track record. Also arriving are widower Melvyn Douglas (as Stephen Blake) and, when school lets out, his ten-year-old son Jackie Moran (as Tommy). Due to weather conditions, Mr. Douglas and Ms. Astor are two of the lodge's few guests. It's definitely not love at first sight, but Douglas and Astor become mutually attracted. Their children react by fiendishly trying to prevent the inevitable marriage. It's not smooth sailing for the couple. Things go south when Douglas mistakes Astor's daughter for his son and gives him (her) a spanking. Astor is not amused. Then, the children try to bring their feuding parents together... ***** And So They Were Married (5/10/36) Elliott Nugent ~ Melvyn Douglas, Mary Astor, Edith Fellows, Jackie Moran

I guess the title kind of gives it all away. And So They Were Married involves Mary Astor and Edith Fellows and also Melvyn Douglas and Jackie Moran on a weekend getaway at a ski lodge. Part of the problem is that the mother&Daughter and father&son duos are the only couples at the grand opening of this new resort, a fact that is making owner Donald Meek tear the remaining hairs from his old head. But romance is in the air, but not if the kids can help it as Moran and Fellows take an instant dislike to each other and don't relish the prospect of a blended family. The rest of the film is about their machinations and how that helps and hinder the developing romance between Astor and Douglas. The kid players make this a nice family picture that holds up well for the holiday season. I'm surprised this one hasn't had a remake.

I must qualify my rating of this picture - I am a pure unadulterated Mary Astor fan, and I must ask myself, 'Would I have given this film the same rating if another actress were playing the part?' Honestly, no. I cannot say that the story isn't a bit trite. Here are two children, played by Edith Fellows and Jackie Moran, who, wishing to keep widowed and divorced parents to themselves, plot to thwart the blossoming romance between Mom (Mary Astor) and Dad (Melvyn Douglas). With predictable results. Douglas was a fine comedic actor, and his presence certainly helps lift the picture over some of the rough spots. The kids were pretty fair actors in their own right, and do not at all detract from what could have been a pretty dismal effort. In her biography, Ms. Astor confirmed that she rarely argued over the quality of a script. She went to work and did the best she could with the material given her. This is one she may have been better off choosing to be difficult about.

Jackie Moran and Edith Fellowes are two bratty adolescents who fight like a dog and a cat and utilize their antagonism to prevent their single parents (widowed father Melvyn Douglas and divorced mother Mary Astor) from getting married. But each scheme they concoct only serves to bring the adults closer together and of course create an understanding between the children who, like a dog and cat, really adore each other, just too stubborn to admit it. Some of the funniest situations involve a soap-consuming dog who makes the entire ski resort lobby think he's "mad" and Moran's use of bee-bee spitwads in a crowded dining room. This is so sitcomish that I am surprised that Columbia didn't do a sequel, "And So They Were Siblings".