Exclusive“The Bride Goes Wild” (1948): When Love Refuses to Follow the Rules

In a field one summer's day, A grasshopper chirped and hopped and chirped. To his heart's content, he was singing and hopping. An ant came plodding by, Dragging a grain of corn, Toiling, moaning, toiling, moaning, On to his nest. Come with me, come chat with me, The grasshopper sang and chirped and hopped, Instead of toiling and moaning. But the ant said, I'm laying off the moon For the winter that is coming. So should you, so should you, so should you. When winter came tenfold, But the grasshopper found himself dying. Pardon me, is this Mr. McGrath's office? I'm Martha Terryton. Oh, so you're the schoolteacher who won the contest. I'm illustrating the new Uncle Bumps book, if that's what you mean. May I? Hmm, very nice. Why, it's a bull. A little effeminate, isn't he? The bull is bashful. Pardon me? You know, you're a lucky girl to be working with Uncle Bumps. Oh, indeed I am. To be collaborating with a man of his stature and integrity. Stature and integrity? I take it you haven't met him? No, I haven't yet. But I can only imagine what he must be like. Do you know him? Oh, yes. Greg and I are old friends. Greg? Is that his name? Yes, Greg Rawlings. But I have to warn you, he might not be quite what you're expecting. Well, it doesn't matter, really. I'm only here for six weeks, and then I'm going back to Vermont to be married. Married, eh? Well, if Greg has anything to do with it, I won't be surprised if the bride goes wild. I'm Rebecca Brannan. I'm Tiffany Brannan. Welcome to Real Thoughts on Cinema. If there's one thing I would criticize about movies from the golden era of Hollywood, it would be the generic titles. Yes. While some classic films have very clever names, romantic comedies in particular often have titles that seem like they were picked out of a hat at random. This makes it hard to keep the different movies straight, even though they often have very unusual or unique premises. Good point. An example of a film which has a pretty meaningless title but a very clever and unusual premise is The Bride Goes Wild from 1948. This is an MGM film. It was produced by William C. Wright, it was directed by Norman Torog, and it stars June Allison, Van Johnson, and Arlene Dahl. Uncle Bumps is the foremost author of children's books. His latest book, The Bashful Bull, is set to debut very soon, and in anticipation of this, his publisher, McGrath, runs a nationwide contest to select the best illustrator. The winner of the contest is a schoolteacher from Vermont, Martha Tarrington. Soon after she arrives in Vermont, she meets Greg Rawlings, an alcoholic-forward young man who seems to be a writer whom she encounters in the publisher's office. He persuades her to go to Joe's Grotto with him to just have one cup of coffee before he sets out to work. Little does she know that the coffee Tasmanian he orders is full of brandy, and she has certain tendencies toward drinking because her father was a drinker, and she herself is a teetotaler. She's horrified when she discovers that Greg is actually Uncle Bumps, and that rather than the upstanding, good example, elderly writer she expects, he's actually a young, handsome playboy. John McGrath, his publisher, is beside himself when he worries that Martha and her prudish cousin, Helen Oldfield, will ruin his reputation as a publisher when the truth gets out about Uncle Bumps. The only way he can persuade Martha to have pity on Greg is by lying to her that he's actually a widower with a juvenile delinquent for a son. To maintain the facade, he has to borrow a young rascal from an orphan home, Danny, and they manage to pull off the trick and convince Martha that the freckle-faced lad is, in fact, Greg's son. Before long, however, Martha finds herself caring very deeply for both Greg and the boy she assumes to be his son. Meanwhile, for the first time ever, the usually child-hating Greg finds that he likes the little fellow. But can this new budding romance survive the facade on which it's based? And will Greg be tempted when his former sweetheart, Tilly Smith, returns to town? June Allison and Van Johnson were considered sort of the perfect couple because they were like the boy and girl next door, and as a result, they made five movies together. This was their third, and I think it's just one of the cutest movies that they made together and a really great example of a fun-loving, light-hearted MGM film that is just a joy to watch. But in spite of that, I would say it's a very unusual role for Van Johnson because he's not the boy next door. That's true. Like, good old American boy, he's quite a scoundrel, and honestly, if it weren't Van Johnson, it would be a lot harder to like the character, at least at the beginning. Right, that's true. That's why it's important to note what his usual reputation was. He made some very serious war films, but usually he was still really likable and honest in these early days. Yes. In the later 50s, he played some darker characters, but that's why he comes as the boy next door, and now he's not. But deep down, we know he is the boy next door who's just taken a few wrong turns, and that's why it's easy to root for him, even when he's doing some questionable things. Especially, I want to say, in the days of the studio system, when there were certain actors in certain studios, for the most part, it's really interesting to look at. Sometimes you can read about, oh, a different person was in mind for this part, or just think about how different it would be with a different actor, and that's always true. But I think the dynamic of this, it really maintains that feeling of just being very light, and there really being very nice characters because of the casting of this sort of dream couple. You can imagine if it were Kirk Douglas, or just a more serious actor, it would take you longer. William Holden. Yeah, it would take you longer to go, alright, he's coming around, but he was a real jerk at the beginning. But you just never think that about this film. Yeah. It's a good old man. And his publisher, Don McGrath, refers to him as adolescent or childish, and it comes off more as that, like, a teenager who just won't grow up, rather than an actually really lecherous, mature man. And because of when this film was made, it's subtle. I love how unusual the premise of this film is. You know, it is a romantic comedy, but it does have some unusual twists to it. He's this children's author with the hilarious name of Uncle Bumps, which honestly should have been the name of the movie, or something like that. The Bride Goes Wild. Most reviewers of the day commented on what a meaningless title it was. Because, well, as you find out in the film, it's not really about a bride, specifically. I guess it refers to the last two minutes of the film. But there are so many better titles for it. But aside from the title, it's a great movie. If you can get past the title. And it's interesting to see the other thing that Hollywood did at this time was sort of meaningless publicity material. The original poster for this film. It could be any romance. He's passionately kissing her. I don't think that really reflects what this movie is. It should have been more playful, more fun-loving, as the movie itself is. Yeah, covers and publicity photos are an interesting study, along with titles across the public. Even if these two people aren't a couple in the film, there's probably at least one publicity shot of them together in sort of romance. I'd love to see Ben Jonson and June Allison together. And she, I think, even though she always had that nice girl image, I think she could go back and forth. It could be more glamorous. This one, she starts out as, he calls her a spinster. But she's not, I don't think, really old enough to be a spinster. She's a schoolteacher. She's sort of sheltered. She sort of might be on her way to becoming a spinster. She has Bruce, the fellow back home who's interested in her. But she's just a very moral young lady, very principled, and very focused on her work. But she also has this love for children. So you can see how she wants to be a wife and a mother. But it's interesting seeing how her character kind of transforms too. She wants to make herself a little more glamorous. Yeah, but I like how although she does eventually change her style of hair from the more old-fashioned bun to the more modern 40s style. And in one scene, she's wearing a more glamorous dress to imitate his other girl, Tilly. She doesn't change her basic character. Even though he says, oh, you're a fussbudget. She doesn't change who she is. He changes. She changes him by her good influence. And she challenges him. And it's not like she's the first person who's ever told him, what you're doing is meaningless. You're wasting your life. But there's something about the way she says it. Maybe it's because she's a beautiful young woman. Or maybe because she's one of the only young women who doesn't seem interested in him. She tells him he's a coward. And that takes him aback. But she transforms him through it. So it's actually a surprising twist of how she transforms him. But she's not the only one who does. The other thing that makes this movie somewhat unique is the character of this little boy. Who isn't the child of either one of them. He's this orphan. But he's a very important character. And he plays a very important role in both of their lives. As they do in his. This little boy, Jackie or Butch Jenkins as he was known. Was noted during his very successful career as a child actor for not being the standard type. Because he's not really cute. Just like this kind of perfect little child. Yet kind of unusual. The gap between the front teeth and all the freckles. But just a really magnetic personality. And his debut was actually in another film with Ben Johnson. Human Comedy. And reviewers noticed him right away. And then he had a really fast and furious, very successful child acting career. Of like five, six years? Yeah, when he was like twelve. He stopped making movies. And he looked back on it fondly. But then he never really had a love for acting. And never wanted to pursue that. But it is interesting to see. He's just kind of like this little time capsule. Just when he was this little boy. He's always just such an unusual and great presence in all his films. And it shows how he's a little rascal because he's trying to get attention. But when he's actually shown love. As well as discipline. He doesn't want to do that anymore. And he repents of his mischievous ways. And he even seems to be sad about the fact. Like I'm not a good boy. I'm the worst boy here. At that point he wants to be good. Just like Greg by the same token. When he sees true love and care from Martha. And how much this little boy goes to care for him. That makes him want to be different. So even though he's not his father. Their fathers in a way have this sort of transformation. And something very interesting on the writing side of it. Is Danny really loves ants. He's always collecting ants. So Greg is just struggling and struggling. Trying to write this bashful bowl. He can't get any inspiration. And he sees an ant crawling on the paper. And he thinks I'll write about an ant. So then he starts writing about Augie the ant instead. So cute. I think it's kind of interesting. There's a comparison there. That this kind of the energy between Martha and Greg. Is a little bit like Aesop's fable of the grasshopper and the ant. Because he's going along just singing and not caring. He doesn't want to work. He just wants to have a good time. And she's like industrious. Industrious and thankfully. He doesn't end up having to die out in the snow. Like in the fable. He realizes that he's living a shipless and useless life. So he becomes an ant too. Now the third member of this love triangle. I mean it's technically a love square. Because she does have her almost fiancé back home. Bruce. Bruce, played by Richard Dare. But it really isn't. That's not the main love triangle. The main love triangle is between Greg, Martha and Tilly Smith. Who then is Tilly Oliver. To whom he was engaged. And then she left him to marry this wealthy man. He's died now. So she's back. And she's after him again. And when we first see her. She's so glamorous. Wearing like a scarf over her head. And then Martha kind of wants to be like her. But almost to show Greg. Just like how over the top she is. She's kind of making fun of him. She's wearing exactly the same dress. She's got her hair cut out. And this is interesting. Because this role is played by Arlene Dahl. A beautiful red-headed actress. Who would be very successful in the later 40s. Going into the 50s. And she had a very long successful career. She was noted for her striking red hair. And the little signature beauty mark. Close to her lips. And she made a lot of movies with another red-headed actor. Red Skelton. She was his main leading lady. But this was her second feature film. And really the first movie where she was kind of featured. Because it's like. Is that Arlene Dahl? Why is she playing such a small part? And you almost don't recognize her. Because she looks a bit different. Her makeup looks a little different. I'm not sure exactly what's different about her. Her face is rounder. But this is a very early part for her. And she's perfect in that role. Of the other woman. Tilly is interesting. Because they talk about her for most of the film. But she's not really in it that much. She's the kind of character you think they're not going to show. She's like. Oh they just talk about her. But then she shows up. Because he actually. Kind of started this unusual writing career of his. By he wrote this little story. Tilly the Turtle. It was like a love letter to her. He just wrote it for Dave. It was easy for him. She was the turtle. And he was the frog. And they were in love. And so then. He just kind of got roped in. It's kind of interesting. Then once he has this. Made up life about his wife who died. But she's not really the problem. It's Tilly Smith. So. Even though she says. That they met while she paid his bar check. It does seem like. Part of the reason for his. Living this really wild lifestyles. Because she kind of broke his heart. But he finally realizes. That he could care about another woman. Who actually cared about him more. And didn't want to just have a good time. And would leave him. As soon as a wealthy man came along. But it's interesting to see the contrast. Of two different styles of fashion. Of the simpler styles. Of June Allison's character. As she often had. And then the more glamorous fashion. Of Arlene Dahl. Tilly Smith. My outfit is inspired by the first costume. Which June Allison wears. It is a tailored 40s suit. With a lot of buttons down the front like this. A pencil silhouette in the skirt. Open toed black shoes. And a flat front brimmed hat. My outfit is based on the first dress. Which we see Tilly Smith. Or Tilly Oliver wearing. It's a very glamorous evening gown. With an exotic style. Almost a middle eastern flair. With what was known as the hood. Where it's either a scarf wrapped around the head. Or something attached to the dress. She wears a lot of flashy jewelry. Showing her wealthy status. Including a choker with a little bangle on it. And large earrings. I find in some films. The score is almost another character. I think that's the case in this film. Particularly once he starts riding Augie the ant. There's this little ant kind of leitmotif in the music. It's a lot of fun. Yeah and the unusual scoring really keeps the movie going. And helps tell that story. Sort of a type of audio storytelling. In the telling of this character's transformation. Namely Greg. It's a difficult handling to show. That someone is living perhaps. Of an unproductive or wild lifestyle. Without getting too deep into it. Like Oscar Wilde famously said. You can't discuss obscenity without becoming obscene. And so many more recent films. Even starting with the late 50's. To show a character like Greg Rawlings. They would have found it necessary. To include more riskeity. To really show how far he goes. But then by doing that. They would really lose the film's charm. As a family film. And that's why it's so refreshing. To see movies made from the 20 years. Which we call the Breen era. Because it was when the motion picture production code. Was enforced by the production code administration. Under Joseph Breen. That was from 1934 to 1950. Right, so this is right in the middle of that. Right in its heyday. After World War II. As America was back in peace time. And movies like this could really flourish. As people for almost 15 years. Had been getting used to this wholesome style. And Hollywood had mastered it. And also bringing back some lighter films. Because America needed something light. Something to feel good. To make them laugh after we'd been through this. Horrible period of the war. It really shows the delicacy of the code. And how all this is handled. We hear some. There are a few lines. That let us know. What kind of a man Greg is and has been. But it doesn't really get into it. It's very subtle. And then the casting of Van Johnson. Further exonerates the character. But that just shows the brilliance. Of movies from this era. And an excellent example. Of how movies could be made. When there were some standards of decency. Because when you watch this film. It is so wholesome. And such a family film overall. You wouldn't even think of having content like that. But if you really study the story. It very easily could. It didn't and therefore the tone. Is so far from being anything like that. It's nice that although there are comical moments. Of how she's this straight laced character. They're not making fun of her. Or anyone who has such moral standards. She's the heroine. We see her as a good. Positive influence. And it's just a really clever blend. Of there's some hilarious moments. As they're both great at comedy. There's some really touching moments. Some very heartwarming family moments. Some cute moments with the little boy. So it's a movie which little boys could enjoy. And just people of all ages. So I would highly recommend it. It's available for streaming. On Amazon Prime Video. And on YouTube. You can also buy it on DVD. From Amazon, from Walmart, from eBay. And from Barnes and Noble. Just like the story of a playboy. Being transformed by a goody two shoes. The tale of a farmer's daughter. Being led astray by a fancy fellow. Is a time tested one. A take on this story. Was first adapted by Hollywood. In the scandalous pre-code 1930s. But it was so popular. That it went on to be adapted two more times. Join us next time. As we discuss the first of these three film adaptations. Thank you for watching. Goodbye.