That Wonderful Urge (1948)

Why so much hype?

Very Cool!!!

A lot of fun.

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

I watched the original version of this movie, "Love is News" (Loretta Young, Tyrone Power) about a month ago, and I watched "Sun Valley Serenade" with John Payne and Sonja Henie about a week ago. As this movie takes a lot from both those movies, I was having intense feelings of deja vu, at least through the first half of this movie. While both those movies are a little funnier, this movie also has some unique charms. Both Gene Tierney and Tyrone Power seemed a little bit old and serious for this type of screwball romantic company. This is a little strange because Tierney was only 27 and Power only 34 when they made the movie. Both look 10 years older. Perhaps it was because they were much meaner to each other than we normally see in a movie of this genre. Tierney doesn't just want to get Power fired, but she seems bent on reducing him to utter poverty, starvation and impotence. Power looks like he's about to punch Tierney at a couple of points in the film, and seems almost to threaten her with rape at one point. This sharpness of conflict between the two romantic leads keeps the movie interesting, but it undercuts the romance. The characters are supposed to be on their honeymoon, but they act as if they've been married for twenty years and ready to tear each other apart. It is a some times heavy screwball comedy, not something you would expect. The movie seems to work against itself by being alternatively pleasant and challenging. We should perhaps appreciate it for being both.

I found this movie entertaining and humorous although the ending was abrupt. I couldn't help thinking how topical it was with the tabloids and celebs in the news these days and even the President being asked about a reality show personality when he was on The View. I don't think this movie would have been suitable during WWII but in the relief of the postwar era a light comedy might have filled the bill, and tabloids were flourishing along with fan magazines and interest in the privileged, whether heiress or royal. (The 1947 wedding of Elizabeth and Philip was a big seller, too.) I hope some day to see the original to compare and contrast but as a stand alone, this movie was pleasant with some good lines, a few laughs, and kept me awake longer than I had intended so I could see the end. If you don't have anything better to do, you might enjoy it as a diversion.

This remake of "Love is News", an OK screwball comedy from 1937, is much weaker than the original for many reasons. The biggest reason is that it seems so out of place in 1948 as compared to 1937, even though it wasn't exactly great then. Once again, Tyrone Power is a reporter who wants to get the dirt on one of the world's richest bachlorettes (here Gene Tierney instead of Loretta Young). Power was perfect for romantic comedy in 1937, but 10 years have not been kind to him in several ways that has a major impact on his performance. Unlike Rock Hudson (who could do these types of roles in 1954 as well as 1964) , Power's face not only aged, but he lost the youthful glow and became much more serious looking. Probably the best looking actor in Hollywood in the 30's, Power had charm that took away from the implausibilities of the original story. By 1948, he was better off in films like "Nightmare Alley" and "The Captain From Castille", as his rugged looks had only been enhanced with age. But in comedy, he appears slightly tired and it really lessens the impact of the pairing between him and Tierney, who really has no place in comedy. A fine dramatic actress for sure, but once she starts doing pratfalls, it seems forced and she seems most uncomfortable.The major problem is that the world of 1948 was much more serious than the world of 1937, and to portray journalists preying on the rich for scandal seems out of place for front-page news. Sure, society pages, yes, but on the front page? When Europe is still in recovery, there are communist scares everywhere, things in Korea are getting hot, and race relations are beginning to boil. Power wouldn't seem right in 1948 as any type of reporter but a serious one, and working for a scandal sheet seems degrading to him. Loretta Young, who played the female lead in "Love is News", was perfectly balanced as both a dramatic and comic actress, perfectly able to deal with breaking a nail while being carried around by handsome Power. She seems to love the kinkiness of their relationship, but Tierney is awkward and even embarrassed by this. Power is still funny in spots, particularly at a society party which he shows up to embarrass Tierney.The best part of "That Wonderful Urge" is the supporting cast, particularly Lucille Watson as Tierney's aunt. She has played a variety of society dames, some domineering and cold, but mostly warm-hearted and filled with a desire to see the younger generation have the fun she probably had in the beginning of the 20th Century when she was a girl. Reginald Gardiner plays the George Sanders role here, and is merely adequate. He lacks Sander's continental charm. Chill Wills takes on the Slim Summerville role of the annoyed small town sheriff who puts Power and Tierney in jail overnight. In comparing the scenes between the two films, they are almost identical. Gene Reynolds, who could play the most obnoxious of businessmen or politicians, is delightful as a judge. Replacing Jane Darwell as Powers' landlady is future "Caged" star Hope Emerson who was just beginning her rise as an unforgettable Amazonian character actress in films."That Wonderful Urge" is not a bad film, just out of place in 1948. 20th Century Fox had better films to remake, so this was a bad choice. With comedies like "State of the Union", "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" and "The Egg and I" shining in 1948, "That Wonderful Urge" comes off as weak, which is acceptable in a "B" picture, but certainly not an "A".

After half a lifetime of viewing movies I finally got to see this film "That Wonderful Urge" with Ty Power and Gene Tierney, once again teamed up. Always interesting to see a new film not viewed before.There's a fabulous, well-rounded cast - Gene Lockhart, Lucile Watson, Reginald Gardiner, Chill Wills, Porter Hall - all familiar faces, and I really felt much more could have been done due to the presence of these great actors appearing all in one film. Well, in Marlon Brando's words (On the Waterfront), you could say, "I coulda been a somebody" because everything was there except a fine script, but I'm thinking drama instead of comedy, my fault really. I think the main problem is that Ty and Gene are forever enshrined in my memory as two of the finest actors in that great story, "The Razor's Edge," an influence which is hard to shake free of and I'd gladly welcome another film of that calibre with them in it but my expectations will have to remain a wish.Since the story of "That Wonderful Urge" is based on comedy I must admit there are many amusing moments and unexpected turns as the tale unfolds.Thomas Tyler (Ty), a reporter, is out to get the inside scoop for his newspaper on the heiress, Sara Farley (Gene Tierney). After he poses as an admirer in order to obtain a story of her personal side, she becomes aware of his trickery and is determined to show him what it's like being in the spotlight of public news, and she does this by announcing to a group of anxious newspapermen the fact that they are indeed married. Needless to say from hereon the newspapers take over and the plot is up and running. It is then Tom-Tom's turn to refute the statement and it gets more complicated at every turn.I like Gene Lockhart in his role as a judge and it reminded me of his later role in "Carousel" also.This movie is one I recently bought as part of a box set "Tyrone Power Matinée Collection" where I thought I was getting five movies but it turns out to be ten, plus more extras. It's a must-have for those who appreciate Tyrone Power's films.