Let's Try Again (1934) User Reviews

Short simple film about the woes of married life

[murrayb88 · 6/10 · 9 January 2008]

I enjoyed this simple movie. It isn't more than the title, i tells you what it is from the beginning. So don't expect more. For what it was it was entertaining, as long as you don't take it so seriously. The characters are peculiar and have a strange power to keep you watching. Even though Diana Wynyard & Clive Brook weren't box office stars they portrayed their quirky emotional characters as well as anyone could. The script is typical of a 1930 film but the premises seems a little before its time. I mean it this subject didn't seemed fleshed out enough to make a great movie. But for what its worth I'd watch it for a few chuckles

kind of a yawner. so downbeat.

[ksf-2 · 5/10 · 6 June 2019]

Let's Try Again started out life as a mildly successful play in 1926, by Vincent Lawrence. Diane Wynyard and Clive Brook star as husband and wife who are bored and looking for more excitement in life. After various actions and many discussions, they start talking about divorce. With all their ups and downs, will they go through with it? SO much dialog. not particularly clever or fun, it kind of goes on and on. can't really recommend this one. I guess the concept of amicable divorce was still pretty novel at the time. no big deal. can skip this one. nothing fun or un-usual about this one. it's another shortie from RKO, at only 67 minutes. Directed by Worth Miner. apparently, it was the quality of his work, not the quantity. he had expertise in theater long before moving into hollywood films. This one was his first directing project. and only directed two full length films, then moved onto television work.

Think of it as an interesting antique.

[MCGarten · 16 January 2004]

Despite the silliness of the plot, the movie is worth a look simply for the 30's set styles. Also of interest is the actors' speech patterns and ridiculous accents ("oh, let's do try again!"). After 1930 when "talkies" came out, actors were required to take diction classes. This movie has all the makings of a "good" film - for its day: "upper class" characters (those silly rich people), beautiful sets (this was The Depression and most Americans had humble homes), and, of course, "sexual tension" (as sexually tense as it could be in 1934).

AWFUL

[pakhuntz · 2/10 · 19 January 2004]

The movie goes in circles and the actors and actresses must have been loathing to do perform in it that anyone could take it seriously. One of the big stinkers, BUT well worth watching the first third to Irene Hervey, surely one of the most beautiful women in her day, in a very form-fitting leather, sharkskin gown.

Enjoyed this Picture As A COMEDY!

[whpratt1 · 3/10 · 16 January 2004]

While viewing this film, I found myself laughing through out the entire picture. Diana Wynyard(Alice Overton),"Gaslight",'40, was married to Clive Brook,(Dr. Jack Overton),"Love in Exile",'36 and this couple seemed to argue and fight all the time, Alice kissed a friend innocently in the garden and all sorts of problems started. Jack Overton decided their marriage after ten years was becoming boring and wanted a divorce. This divorce became off again on again through out the entire picture. The Butler,(Phillips) Arthur Hoyt, "Hail The Conquering Hero",'44 did not know if he was coming or going, bringing luggage out to the car and back again and finally was claimed a hero in possibly saving this marriage. This was definitely a COMEDY and should not be taken seriously at ALL!

The magic has fizzled.

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 24 April 2019]

A year after their success in the Oscar-winning "Cavalcade" and immediately following a decent droll comedy ("Where Sinners Meet"), Diana Wynard and Clive Brook snooze their way through this tedious marital drama that slithers through formula so deep that there is no washing it off. They are a bored married couple who argue over the teeniest things such as crushed flowers and being fashionably late that all of it becomes a relief for the audience when doctor Brook asked for a divorce. They end up becoming involved with younger members of their social circle (Helen Vinson and Theodore Newton), Brook crossing a line because Vinson was a patient of his. When Wynard encourages her estranged husband to start dating again (what is her and warned him that a lot of women will be chasing him), I rolled my eyes rather than laugh at the absurdity of the statement. The plot gets more twisted returns to his old girlfriend, Irene Hervey.

The extremely slow pacing makes this a frustrating snooze fest so when interjected comedy comes in, you feel like scenes from another movie have been interjected. What makes this worse is post credits titles which indicate that an NRA should be created to prevent divorce. This leads to a very preachy narrative where everybody, including butler Arthur Hoyt, comments on the evils of divorce. Certainly, the costumes and art direction are typically glossy, films that have great skills are always great films when seen on screen. Even the fight scenes between Wynard and Brook when they stopped constantly civilized are dull and lifeless, emphasizing the staginess of the film's structure. I like these actors in other films, but unfortunately, just drags for its entire short running time.

Finding new old talent.

[smyrna-3 · 7/10 · 16 January 2004]

I enjoyed this movie very much. It was a period piece and I like period pieces. As a period piece it met my expectations nicely. And even tho scripts from that era didn't reflect the lives of real people that well, the actors showed more depth than I am accustomed to seeing. I don't need to write much about this movie. Just change everything Bill from Minnesota said to positives and that will take care of my review nicely. It is so nice to find 'new' old talent. I shall keep an eye out for the productions that included these people.

Wynyard and Brook Make This a Stylish Production

[kidboots · 7/10 · 3 July 2019]

With music by Max Steiner, art direction by Van Nest Polgnase and intelligent script and direction by Worthington Minor, this stylish film doesn't disappoint. Not forgetting it's two stars - Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard who play beautifully with each other. Brook plays Jack Overton, a doctor whose genuine concern for his patients have turned a young dancer's head. Helen Vinson thrives in an unusually sympathetic part - her Nan knows that she is infatuated with him but feels love should always be exciting and of the moment and doubts that Jack's long lasting devotion to his wife Alice is true love.

Seeds of doubt are sown in Jack's mind and when he arrives home, he and Alice have a blazing row as things have been souring in the marriage for quite a while now. Alice is not without her admirers - her niece Marge's fiancee Paul (Theodore Newton) is positively infatuated with her, especially seeing her in the beautiful dress she once wore when she eloped with Jack. Brook wasn't an exciting actor but he was so good - and it comes through in his impassioned speech about trying again, even if they have to pretend to be in love just while they recapture their past excitement. The film worked best in the scenes between Brook and Wynyard - Vinson was terrific but her part was left a bit up in the air. Towards the end she visited the Overton's home and proved to Alice she was sincere in her love. Irene Harvey was lovely as Marge and she did get a few scenes to show some emotion.

talking about marriage

[mukava991 · 19 March 2020]

The forgettable Broadway play "Sour Grapes" about a troubled American man and wife who talk a lot about the rocky state of their marriage took eight years to reach the screen as "Let's Try Again" and when it did the cast was led by two veddy veddy British actors (Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard). Other than the odd effect of their out-of-place accents there is very little to engage the viewer. A half-baked subplot about the husband's relationship with one of his attractive young patients (Helen Vinson) is clumsily added to the original in a failed attempt to make the story more interesting. Other than a few lines of mildly suggestive dialogue, the sexual undertones at the heart of the couple's discord are unexplored, though Irene Hervey in a supporting role looks stunning in a couple of early scenes wearing a form-fitting satiny creation. The film is shot mostly in cramped interiors (a couple of living rooms, a bedroom and a fake looking domestic exterior). "Let's try again" indeed.