Tonight's Movie: That Wonderful Urge (1948)

When life is gloomy, I know I can always count on old favorites like Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney to lift my spirits, as they did this evening in a fast-paced comedy called THAT WONDERFUL URGE (1948).

Thomas Jefferson Tyler (Power) has written a series of unfair newspaper articles about grocery store heiress Sara Farley (Tierney). Tom follows Sara to a Sun Valley resort in hopes of getting a new story, but once they meet Tom discovers there is more to Miss Farley than the character he's invented for his stories. When Sara learns Tom's true identity, she decides to give him a dose of his own medicine by telling his fellow newspaper reporters that she and Tom are married. Chaos ensues.

THAT WONDERFUL URGE is a loose remake of Power's 1937 film LOVE IS NEWS (reviewed here), which costarred Loretta Young. THAT WONDERFUL URGE surpasses the original film; it has a better script which allows the audience to enjoy the lead characters' romantic chemistry from the start of the film, something which was missing from the original. LOVE IS NEWS focused more on the relationship of reporter Power and his newspaper editor boss, played by Don Ameche, than it did on Power and Young. This time around the editor's role is almost nonexistent, and Power and Tierney enjoy a great deal of joint screen time.

Power and Tierney also costarred in 1942's SON OF FURY (reviewed here) and THE RAZOR'S EDGE (1946). They have excellent chemistry and really seem to be having a good time together in this film. The fact that they're one of the all-time handsome screen teams doesn't hurt the viewer's enjoyment, either.

The supporting cast includes Reginald Gardiner, Lucile Watson, Arleen Whelan, Frank Ferguson, Porter Hall, Chill Wills, and Gene Lockhart in a scene-stealing role as a judge.

THAT WONDERFUL URGE was directed by Robert B. Sinclair. It was filmed in black and white and runs 82 minutes. Tierney's husband at the time, Oleg Cassini, designed her gowns.

This movie can be seen in a lovely DVD print as part of the Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection. Extras include an assortment of production stills and publicity materials, along with the trailer.