And that's what they do. Maureen O'Hara, Fay Bainter, Adolph Menjou, Dame May Witty, to name the ones who stand out, taking over for Katharine Hepburn, Billie Burke, John Barrymore and Elizabeth Patterson in the original 1932 version. Many studios remade their films that were less than a decade old, and since Hepburn had moved on, first back to Broadway and then to MGM, her old role was ripe for the taking. O'Hara may not be the first candidate I'd think for taking on the role of this loose cannon, a young lady who may or may not have inherited her father's (Adolph Menjou) side of the family's mental illness. He's been in an institution for years, so he is unknown to her, and when he comes back right after his wife (Fay Bainter) has gotten a divorce, all hell breaks loose.
Bible spouting aunt Dame May Witty is having a spiritual heart attack over her sister-in-law's divorce and impending marriage to Herbert Marshall, and O'Hara has no qualms about telling this old lady where to go when she begins to interfere in her plans. I'd have seen the other Irish Maureen (O'Sullivan that is) in this part, but surprisingly, Ms. O'Hara is quite effective, certainly far bolder than her dainty ballet performer in "Dance Girl Dance", and her explosions of anger are actually quite scary because they come out of nowhere, just like someone with a mental illness. Menjou is perfect in this part, ironic considering his film appearances with Hepburn not long after the original version was released. Bainter plays her role with great restraint and dignity, while Witty's aunt is not nearly as annoying as Patterson's. She actually makes more of an impact in the part than Patterson did. Herbert Marshall and C. Aubrey Smith also appear but in roles not as showy as the others.
Still, while it's almost identical to the original version, you can't help but compare the two. For this reason, I highly recommend the original and give this version a moderate thumbs up. There's nothing new to tell here even though it is well done, extremely well acted, and certainly worth watching.
Bible spouting aunt Dame May Witty is having a spiritual heart attack over her sister-in-law's divorce and impending marriage to Herbert Marshall, and O'Hara has no qualms about telling this old lady where to go when she begins to interfere in her plans. I'd have seen the other Irish Maureen (O'Sullivan that is) in this part, but surprisingly, Ms. O'Hara is quite effective, certainly far bolder than her dainty ballet performer in "Dance Girl Dance", and her explosions of anger are actually quite scary because they come out of nowhere, just like someone with a mental illness. Menjou is perfect in this part, ironic considering his film appearances with Hepburn not long after the original version was released. Bainter plays her role with great restraint and dignity, while Witty's aunt is not nearly as annoying as Patterson's. She actually makes more of an impact in the part than Patterson did. Herbert Marshall and C. Aubrey Smith also appear but in roles not as showy as the others.
Still, while it's almost identical to the original version, you can't help but compare the two. For this reason, I highly recommend the original and give this version a moderate thumbs up. There's nothing new to tell here even though it is well done, extremely well acted, and certainly worth watching.