The Good Fairy

Director: William Wyler William Wyler

Overview

Margaret Sullavan graduates from a girl's orphanage to an usherette's job at a Budapest movie theatre. Bibulous millionaire Frank Morgan makes a play for Margaret, but she keeps him at arm's length by picking a name from the phone book and insists that that's the name of her husband. The man chosen at random is attorney Herbert Marshall, who can't understand why Morgan has taken a sudden interest in him. Morgan offers Marshall a huge contract in hopes that Margaret will be "exchanged," but the truth comes out to everyone's satisfaction. Adapted from a Ferenc Molnar play by Preston Sturges (who added a hilarious movie-within-a-movie in which the "stars" emote by speaking in one-syllable sentences), Good Fairy was remade as the Deanna Durbin vehicle I'll Be Yours (47).

Product Details

Release Date:	09/02/2014
UPC:	0025192235979
Original Release:	1935
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	55,299

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Margaret Sullavan	Luisa 'Lu' Ginglebuscher
Herbert Marshall	Dr. Max Sporum
Frank Morgan	Konrad
Reginald Owen	Detlaff, the Waiter
Beulah Bondi	Dr. Schultz
Cesar Romero	Joe
Alan Bridge	Doorman,Doorman
George Davis	Chauffeur
Hugh O'Connell	Gas Collector
June Clayworth	Actress
Eric Blore	Dr. Metz
Alan Hale Jr.	Schlapkohl
Luis Alberni	Barber
Torben Meyer	Actor

Technical Credits

Preston Sturges

Henry Henigson	Producer
William Wyler	Director
Preston Sturges	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The Good Fairy is a charming and delightful comedy that finds director William Wyler operating in Ernst Lubitsch-land -- and seeming a bit uncomfortable doing so. Although his direction is good, it feels a bit forced; on a project in which a light and effortless hand is needed at the helm, this has the effect of muting some of the comedy. Fortunately, Preston Sturges' screenplay is so full of amusing situations, witty and flavorful dialogue, and finely observed characters that the slightly off-key direction doesn't really matter. The film is also helped immeasurably by the enchanting Margaret Sullavan, whose charm is always laced with just enough acid to keep her characters from becoming vapid or one-dimensional. Sullavan is at her best here, more naïve than in some of her later roles, and a total delight. She is aided by a marvelous supporting cast, with Frank Morgan displaying his usual excellent comic timing and Beulah Bondi and Eric Blore adding their distinctive personalities into the mix. While The Good Fairy is not as frothy and light as it wants to be, it still manages to float along very nicely.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler