| Julia Misbehaves | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Jack Conway |
| Screenplay by | |
| Adaptation by | |
| Based on | The Nutmeg Tree byMargery Sharp |
| Produced by | Everett Riskin |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Joseph Ruttenberg |
| Edited by | John D. Dunning |
| Music by | Adolph Deutsch |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,706,000[1] |
| Box office | $4,497,000[1] |
Julia Misbehaves is a 1948 Americanromantic comedy film[2][3] starringGreer Garson andWalter Pidgeon as a married couple who are separated by the man's snobbish family. They meet again many years later, when the daughter whom the man has raised, played byElizabeth Taylor, invites her mother to her wedding. The film also featuresPeter Lawford andCesar Romero.
This adaptation ofMargery Sharp's 1937 novelThe Nutmeg Tree, which was also the basis of the 1940 Broadway playLady in Waiting,[4] was directorJack Conway's final film.
In 1936 London, mature showgirl Julia Packett leads a precarious life. She pretends to be contemplatingsuicide in order to finagle some money out of a male friend in order to pay her bills. Then she receives a wedding invitation from her daughter Susan. As a young woman, Julia had married wealthy William Packett. However, after 14 months of marriage, his disapproving mother broke them up. Julia returned to show business but left her infant daughter with William so that the child could be raised in a safe environment.
On the boat trip to France, Julia meets and falls for muscular acrobat Fred Ghenoccio, and when inParis, she performs with his troupe with great success. Later, Fred proposes to her as her train pulls away from the station.
Julia reaches her destination penniless, so following her usual methods, she convinces a stranger, Colonel Willowbrook, to give her money, supposedly for an evening gown and other clothing. However, she sneaks away before Willowbrook tries to become better acquainted with her.
Her mother-in-law is less than pleased to see her, but Julia manages to see Susan, who insists that Julia stay. As time goes by, William's love for Julia resurfaces. Julia observes that Susan has strong feelings for lovestruck painter Ritchie Lorgan, though he is not her fiancé. Though Susan claims to be merely annoyed, Julia sees that Susan loves Ritchie and successfully brings the two together.
Julia remains skeptical of William's newfound love, unable to forget the past. Complications arise when Fred shows up to claim her. However, when William encounters his old friend Colonel Willowbrook, he learns of Julia's affair with Fred. William persuades Willowbrook to pretend to not know him and to interrupt their breakfast. The revelation of Julia's questionable method of raising funds sends Fred packing.
Eventually, Susan takes Julia's suggestion and elopes with Ritchie. When William chases after them, followed by Julia, they discover that they have been tricked into going to the wrong place. Following Susan's instructions, servants drive away their cars, leaving them stranded for 48 hours in their isolated honeymoon cabin. Julia tries to walk away in a rainstorm, but ends up in the mud. When William comes to her rescue, he ends up sprawled in the muck as well, leaving them both laughing at their predicament.
Cast notes
the other films in which they co-starred were:
Julia Misbehaves began with the working titlesThe Nutmeg Tree (the title of the 1937 novel byMargery Sharp upon which the film was based) andSpeak to Me of Love. The screenplay was originally to have been written byJames Hilton and would have starredGracie Fields. Announced in April 1941, it was postponed later in the year because Fields was unavailable.[4]
In 1946, the project was revived, with Greer Garson in the lead role and with Everett Riskin as the producer, replacingDore Schary, who had replaced Sidney Franklin.[4]
The film earned $2,948,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $1,549,000 in other markets, resulting in a profit of $298,000.[1][7]
ANew York Times review wrote that Garson was "out of her element" in the film,but aVariety reviewer said that she ".acquits herself like a lady out to prove she can be hoydenish when necessary. She proves it and audiences will like the new Garson."[4]
Notes