Joan Bennett movie on TCM

[Josette]

Tonight (Wednesday) 10:30 p.m. (Eastern) to 12:15 a.m.  TCM has a movie called "Trade Winds" from 1938 with Joan and Fredric March.  From the date, I think she might still be blonde.

[dom]

Luckily for me it's a slow TV night in my household. I have it on deck to record. I can't remember if I've seen it before (though I probably have). This is a comedy (which I wasn't expecting) executively produced by her future husband Walter Wanger. I always try and catch Joan's movies if I haven't seen them. I've recently become interested in Frederic March's work so this will be a twofer for me.

Trivia: This is the film that had Joan go from blond to brunette.

[Uncle Roger]

This is one of my favorite JB movies. Great cast, Frederic March, Ralph Bellamy and the wonderful Ann Sothern. Trade Winds took Joan's career in a new direction.

[Josette]

I was sure I had set it to record, but apparently didn't!  They usually repeat things eventually, so hopefully I'll catch it some time.

[dom]

Cute movie. Ann Sothern stole the film, IMO.

[Josette]

So that's why it was on.  There was a string of Ann Sothern movies on and this seemed to be in between them.

[dom]

It was a feature presentation, so Robert Osborne discussed the film before and after. The pre-show discussion was centered more or less on Joan and the post on more or less on Sothern. Both discussions were fascinating and trivia laden, as per usual. The film was 'cute', meaning watchable but it was no masterpiece. Billed as a comedy - I barley laughed once - and only at Sothern. Joan was stunning as a new brunette.

[Josette]

Very interesting - thanks, Dom!  I can't believe I posted about it for everyone else and then forgot to set it up for myself!!