One can see why many reviewers don't think "Skylark" is a first-rate comedy romance. I agree - because it is something else. Recognizing that for what it is might give many viewers cause to consider its quality anew. This is a problem with occasional films that are so-labelled when, in reality, there is something deeper - a love story. But, since Hollywood never got around to establishing such an overall film category, it settles for "romance." While it's fair to say there is romance in this film - with Brian Aherne's Jim Blake romancing Claudette Colbert's Lydia Kenyon, this is a story about a true and deep love that goes awry, and then heals in the end.
Obviously, such a story has some drama, so this film might more accurately be called a drama and love story with some comedy. The comedy is very light. And the drama is a story - as most have noted, of a man who becomes obsessively attached to his business and success, that love for his wife slips out of first place. This may not be so common in the 21st century - obsession with business and/or success, but it seemed to be and got quite a lot of attention in novels and the movies in the mid-20th century. Still, there will always be some people - today and into the future, who become obsessed, either with fame, power, riches, or success.
If this film was more accurately labeled and understood as a drama and love story, the dislikable character of Tony Kenyon that Ray Milland plays may not be seen as so villainous. For, as badly as he behaved and treated his wife, he loved her deeply. Obsession with anything affects people, and never positively. But obsessions can be licked. And, Tony's love for Lydia won out and conquered the obsession. He came to his senses and quit the job that had so driven him. And, he tried to win Lydia back. Their love was genuine, true and deep. It wasn't just romance. He asked her to take him back and to go with him to South America for his new job. In the end, she was unable to marry Jim because of her deep love for Tony. So, they reconciled with a happy ending in this film.
No, "Skylark" is not a good comedy romance at all - because those are such poor labels to give to this film. But it is a very good love story, with drama and some comedy. It's a good story about a couple deeply in love, and a man who was swayed by riches and power to the point of losing his wife and love, and then of his redemption and their reconciliation. So, for a love story, this is a very good film. I have no idea how the play was written, intended or performed on stage - as a comedy or what. But as filmed, directed and acted here, it's sure much more than a flighty comedy romance. And, I think all three leads of this film were of such intelligence, talent and integrity that that's how they saw the film as they made it.
Here are some favorite lines, funny and otherwise.
Lydia Kenyon, "You haven't heard a word I said." Tony Kenyon, "Mmhmm." Lydia, "A hippopotamus walked in and sat right on my knee." Tony, "Mmhmm."
Lydia, "Thanks for everything." Jim Blake, "Remember - there'll always be a boat burning in my window for you."
Tony, "And, did she happen to suggest in so many words, that I quit my job?" Jim Blake, "You wouldn't do that, would you?" Tony, "You think I'm crazy?" Blake, "Might help, pal. Spit In your boss's eye. Take your woman by the hand. Climb to the top of a hill. Look us over, moon. She's a woman. She's like herself. She makes the grass grow, see? I've got hold of her hand and I'm not letting it go. She's a skylark."
Tony, "Just how do you fit into this picture, anyway?" Blake, "Oh, I'm a Mr. Nobody see, and you're Mr. Somebody. A woman starts out by picking her man. But if he can't play the part, the words are still there, aren't they, chum? Maybe Mr. Nobody can say 'em - and mean 'em."
Lydia, after sitting down in Blake's law office, "Couldn't you put me at ease? Say something about the weather." Blake, "It's raining."
Blake, "She said she went up to the island - she had to think." Tony, "Oh.... Oh! The island. Well, that's interesting." Blake, "Where is it?" Tony, "I don't know. Lots of islands - Staten Island, Governor's Island, Coney Island." George Gorell, "A thousand island." Blake, "Keep quiet, you!" George, "I was only trying to be helpful."
Tony, "Hello, Charlotte... you don't seem surprised." Charlotte Gorell, "I haven't been surprised since I married George."
Lydia, "It's difficult to erase five years from your memory overnight."
Obviously, such a story has some drama, so this film might more accurately be called a drama and love story with some comedy. The comedy is very light. And the drama is a story - as most have noted, of a man who becomes obsessively attached to his business and success, that love for his wife slips out of first place. This may not be so common in the 21st century - obsession with business and/or success, but it seemed to be and got quite a lot of attention in novels and the movies in the mid-20th century. Still, there will always be some people - today and into the future, who become obsessed, either with fame, power, riches, or success.
If this film was more accurately labeled and understood as a drama and love story, the dislikable character of Tony Kenyon that Ray Milland plays may not be seen as so villainous. For, as badly as he behaved and treated his wife, he loved her deeply. Obsession with anything affects people, and never positively. But obsessions can be licked. And, Tony's love for Lydia won out and conquered the obsession. He came to his senses and quit the job that had so driven him. And, he tried to win Lydia back. Their love was genuine, true and deep. It wasn't just romance. He asked her to take him back and to go with him to South America for his new job. In the end, she was unable to marry Jim because of her deep love for Tony. So, they reconciled with a happy ending in this film.
No, "Skylark" is not a good comedy romance at all - because those are such poor labels to give to this film. But it is a very good love story, with drama and some comedy. It's a good story about a couple deeply in love, and a man who was swayed by riches and power to the point of losing his wife and love, and then of his redemption and their reconciliation. So, for a love story, this is a very good film. I have no idea how the play was written, intended or performed on stage - as a comedy or what. But as filmed, directed and acted here, it's sure much more than a flighty comedy romance. And, I think all three leads of this film were of such intelligence, talent and integrity that that's how they saw the film as they made it.
Here are some favorite lines, funny and otherwise.
Lydia Kenyon, "You haven't heard a word I said." Tony Kenyon, "Mmhmm." Lydia, "A hippopotamus walked in and sat right on my knee." Tony, "Mmhmm."
Lydia, "Thanks for everything." Jim Blake, "Remember - there'll always be a boat burning in my window for you."
Tony, "And, did she happen to suggest in so many words, that I quit my job?" Jim Blake, "You wouldn't do that, would you?" Tony, "You think I'm crazy?" Blake, "Might help, pal. Spit In your boss's eye. Take your woman by the hand. Climb to the top of a hill. Look us over, moon. She's a woman. She's like herself. She makes the grass grow, see? I've got hold of her hand and I'm not letting it go. She's a skylark."
Tony, "Just how do you fit into this picture, anyway?" Blake, "Oh, I'm a Mr. Nobody see, and you're Mr. Somebody. A woman starts out by picking her man. But if he can't play the part, the words are still there, aren't they, chum? Maybe Mr. Nobody can say 'em - and mean 'em."
Lydia, after sitting down in Blake's law office, "Couldn't you put me at ease? Say something about the weather." Blake, "It's raining."
Blake, "She said she went up to the island - she had to think." Tony, "Oh.... Oh! The island. Well, that's interesting." Blake, "Where is it?" Tony, "I don't know. Lots of islands - Staten Island, Governor's Island, Coney Island." George Gorell, "A thousand island." Blake, "Keep quiet, you!" George, "I was only trying to be helpful."
Tony, "Hello, Charlotte... you don't seem surprised." Charlotte Gorell, "I haven't been surprised since I married George."
Lydia, "It's difficult to erase five years from your memory overnight."