I may not see any more movies directed by Preston Sturges, but writing is another matter. I had seen this title many times, perhaps especially in connection with some of its actors, so it seemed time to look further. Yes, I usually save holiday pictures for when they're timely, but Netflix disc service won't last that long.
Shortly before Christmas, an inveterate New York City thief who goes by Lee Leander (Barbara Stanwyck), among other names, gets caught. Her preacher-like attorney (Francis X. O'Leary) posits a form of temporary insanity, but prosecutor Jack Sargent (Fred MacMurray) demands the testimony of an expert psychologist who won't be available until January 3, so the court will adjourn until then. Out of pity, he bails her out. The depraved bondsman (Tom Kennedy) misreads his intentions and sends her to Jack's apartment. Jack tells Lee to leave, but upon learning she's homeless, he takes her on his vacation to Indiana.
The initial plan is to take Lee to her mother's house, but there's no love lost between the two women. Instead, she comes to Jack's much more welcoming extended family's rural home. Jack then must decide whether she's as good as his relatives make her out to be or just skilled at deceptive charisma. He does recognize that she'd been dealt a bad hand early on.
You can guess how the duo's feelings for each other evolve. Considering their prior connection, this is awkward and, for Jack, unprofessional. He could easily lose his position as assistant DA, if not his whole career. And that's putting aside the crimes he commits or abets, wittingly or not, on the road trip. Still, their budding relationship isn't too forced for me.
Despite a few aberrations, this is one of the most realistic films I've seen connected with Sturges. It has no improbable coincidences, and for the most part, people behave credibly. It is also, fittingly, one of his most serious stories, particularly in the third act. I'm impressed at the evasion of a few pitfalls I predicted.
Not that the serious aspects fully make up for the Sturgesian humor in my book. The worst of it appears in John's apartment servant (Fred "Snowflake" Toones), one of the more insulting old-school depictions of a Black man. He's not super timid, but he sure acts dim, not just undereducated. I'll grant that there's also a White simpleton (Sterling Holloway) at the family house, but he doesn't come across as such a caricature.
Perhaps the most significant things about RtN are the films for which it paved the way. If Sturges hadn't clashed with director Michael Leisen here, he might not have gone on to direct his own scripts. If he hadn't met Stanwyck here, he wouldn't have created The Lady Eve. If MacMurray and Stanwyck hadn't demonstrated chemistry here, they might not have co-starred in Double Indemnity.
On its own, RtN is pretty good as moderately light fare. If I never see anything more with the Sturges brand, it's a suitable stopping point.
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