Tonight's Movie: Goodbye Again (1933) - A Warner Archive DVD Review

Warren William and Joan Blondell star in GOODBYE AGAIN (1933), a pre-Code comedy just released on DVD by the Warner Archive.

GOODBYE AGAIN is a mildly amusing bedroom farce directed by Michael Curtiz. Ben Markson's screenplay was based on a play by George Haight and Allan Scott. (Fun note: James Stewart had a small role in the Broadway production.)

William plays Kenneth Bixby, author of successful romantic novels who's currently in the midst of a publicity tour. Bixby is reunited with a forgotten old flame, Julie (Genevieve Tobin); he may have forgotten her but he certainly doesn't mind picking up again where they left off, despite the fact that she's married to Harvey (Hugh Herbert, less annoying than usual).

Hotel or train, everywhere Bixby goes, Julie follows, and it's quite clear they're they're engaged in a steamy affair. Bixby's secretary Anne (Blondell) is concerned and jealous, and Julie's husband, sister (Helen Chandler), and future brother-in-law (Wallace Ford) are also intent on breaking up Bixby and Julie's new romance.

The movie was loosely remade with George Brent as HONEYMOON FOR THREE (1941), and while I think I liked the remake better, this original version zips by in a quick 66 minutes. It's nonsensical, but watching William and Tobin both acting like utter dingbats has its charms; William has such a dignified appearance, yet he was unafraid to be utterly silly on screen.

Blondell is, of course, always a welcome screen presence, though her role is less flashy than Tobin's. There's also quite a bit of subtly racy dialogue scattered throughout which periodically startles a fading viewer back into playing close attention once more.

A random comment: I love both Tobin and Blondell, but they look so very much alike in this, it might have been easier for viewers if their appearances had been differentiated more.

GOODBYE AGAIN was filmed by George Barnes. The supporting cast includes Hobart Cavanaugh, Fred "Snowflake" Toones, and Ruth Donnelly.

The Warner Archive DVD has a good print, if slightly soft in a typical early '30s way, and fine sound. There are no extras.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this DVD. Warner Archive releases are MOD (manufactured on demand) and may be ordered from the Warner Archive Collection at the WBShop or from any online retailers where DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.