source: Remember the Night

Trailer—Remember the Night

Remember the Night

"Remember the Night" is one of Mitchell Leisen's best movies. Preston Sturges wrote the screenplay. It is a lovely story about two unlikely people who meet at court, a prosecutor (Fred MacMurray) and a shoplifter (Barbara Stanwyck). During recess, they spend Christmas dinner together and fall in love. It is not a comedy but a light drama. This is Preston Sturges most serious movie. I believe this is Mr. MacMurrary's and Ms. Stanwyck's first movie together. Ms. Stanwyck had two perfect leading men, Fred MacMurray and Gary Cooper. Mr. MacMurray worked with Ms. Stanwyck four or five times. This movie and "Double Indemnity" are their best.

This little sentimental tale is so sweet and heartwarming, I consider it one of my favorite holiday movies. The beginning is a bit slow, the courtroom scene drawn out and ones mind can wander. But once the story begins, it carries viewers back to a time when simpler pleasures where enjoyed. The popcorn, singing around the piano, simple gifts, popovers, canary in the cage, white elephant sale and barn dance all make one long for those days. Who wouldn't like to step into this movie, and go home with John/Jack, snuggle in the flannel gown, in the cozy bed, and have the Mom and Aunt fussing around, seeing to your every need. I give this movie a 10 and believe it is one of the "overlooked" films of the holiday season. I am a great fan of the classics, Miracle on 34th, Wonderful Life, White Christmas and Christmas in Conneticut. But these smaller, lesser known films, are simply grand. Holiday Affair is another to check out, if you want some variety in your viewing.

A really well done piece from two top notch stars, three years before they would be paired again as one of film noir's classic doomed couples in DOUBLE INDEMNITY. After working on this film, Stanwyck gave Sturges an automatic 'Yes!' when he asked her to be in THE LADY EVE. MacMurray and Stanwyck would be paired in two others, THE MOONLIGHTERS (a western in 3-D, no less) and the soapy THERE'S ALWAYS TOMORROW, but REMEMBER THE NIGHT is their best romance, both of them bringing a fast patter and no nonsense attitude to their characters that is both winning and believable. There are some charming Christmas scenes when they reach his home - a square dance, a dear gift giving sequence and some great supporting work from Beulah Bondi, Sterling Holloway and Elizabeth Patterson. However, I think the previous comment hit it on the nose - it's as close to a noir holiday comedy as you can get. Highly recommended to get you into the holidaze...MDMPHD

It's the Christmas season in NYC. Lee Leander (Barbara Stanwyck) is a well dressed thief who gets caught trying to pawn stolen jewelry. Her attorney is a wild performer. Prosecutor John Sargent (Fred MacMurray) is assigned the case. He's concerned that Christmas is a bad time to get a conviction. He gets a continuance for the case. John takes pity on the girl and gets her bailed out. Unbeknownst to John, Fat Mike misunderstands and bring her to him. She refuses to leave and they start up a friendship. He drives her back to her mother. They get lost and go on a crazy road trip. After being rejected by her own mother, she joins him in a family Christmas in Indiana. Stanwyck is sharp, lovely and enticing. MacMurray is an endearing stand-up guy. Together they have great chemistry. They're fun together. The Preston Sturges dialog is snappy and quick. The sentimental rom-com is touching, romantic, and funny.

Sure, I like "Miracle on 34th Street", "A Christmas Story", "Holiday Affair", "A Christmas Carol" (both versions), and "Christmas in Connecticut", but to me nothing is quite like "Remember the Night" as a holiday movie. New York District Attorney Fred MacMurray bails out petty thief Barbara Stanwyck so she won't have to spend the holidays in jail. When Stanwyck's family rejects her, MacMurray takes her home to Indiana with him, but on a non-romantic basis. The scenes back home are truly poignant, as MacMurray's and Stanwyck's characters fall deeply in love. Touching, sentimental, and watchable again and again, "Remember the Night" is timeless. Beulah Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, and Sterling Holloway are outstanding as Fred's family, and leads MacMurray and Stanwyck deliver top performances. It's great all year round, but especially good over the Christmas holidays.

Now here's an offbeat Christmas classic which must be rediscovered. Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray are a pickpocket and district attorney who reluctantly fall in love over the holidays. It's so nice to see a film with so much warmth, humor, and good will. I know miserable families technically make for much more interesting stories, but I adored seeing the tenderness and strong bonds between MacMurray's character and his family, and the way it radiated onto Stanwyck's lady thief. Absolutely recommended by me, though with Stanwyck in the line up, I shouldn't have to tell you twice, right?

Remember the Night is directed by Mitchell Leisen and written by Preston Sturges. It stars Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, Willard Robertson and Sterling Holloway. Music is by Friedrich Hollaender and cinematography by Ted Tetzlaff. A lovely heart warming tale for the Yuletide season, story pitches Stanwyck as a lady thief and MacMurray as the prosecutor who takes pity on her and takes her home to meet his family. Back stories are revealed and the chemistry between the two principals is palpable. The genius pen of Sturges provides much humour, romance and family values, while Leisen smartly directs his cast to bonzer performances. Also of note is that the director never lets the film slip into deep treacle territory, getting the various balances just right. A must see Christmas movie across the board. 8/10