Paramount quickie stars MacMurray and Lombard in another pairing as lovebirds whose young marriage is threatened by MacMurray's success as a master band trumpeter, and the reappearance of smouldering former flame Lamour.
What begins as a light romantic comedy shifts gear becoming a tragedy in which the fragile union is put under immense strain by MacMurray's neglect. Whilst Lombard's character preserves her dignity, MacMurray imbibes his way to ruin becoming a wasted mess who loses the confidence to play.
Tense and suspenseful when it needs to be with sincere performances (including the exotic, confident Lamour in only her third picture) only the 'blow your horn' climax and corny embrace is a little dubious, albeit well-intentioned. Pay attention and you'll see a young Anthony Quinn playing the young thug who accosts MacMurray in the bar early in the picture.
Overall this modest melodrama deals with its subject more sensitively than most for its era, but it's still no brass virtuoso.
What begins as a light romantic comedy shifts gear becoming a tragedy in which the fragile union is put under immense strain by MacMurray's neglect. Whilst Lombard's character preserves her dignity, MacMurray imbibes his way to ruin becoming a wasted mess who loses the confidence to play.
Tense and suspenseful when it needs to be with sincere performances (including the exotic, confident Lamour in only her third picture) only the 'blow your horn' climax and corny embrace is a little dubious, albeit well-intentioned. Pay attention and you'll see a young Anthony Quinn playing the young thug who accosts MacMurray in the bar early in the picture.
Overall this modest melodrama deals with its subject more sensitively than most for its era, but it's still no brass virtuoso.