The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949)

The Lady Takes a Sailor Poster

Jennifer Smith heads a "Consumer Reports"-type company and her reputation for honesty is her greatest asset. While out boating one day she encounters a secret prototype submarine piloted by Bill Craig. Trying to explain her absence after her boat sinks becomes very difficult as Bill and his cohorts attempt to discredit her story.

Movie Overview
"The Lady Takes a Sailor" is a 1949 American romantic comedy directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Jane Wyman and Dennis Morgan. The movie focuses on the life of Jennifer Smith, an independent woman working for a purchaser research institute who experiences a series of funny confusions relating to espionage and undercover operations.

Main Plot
Wyman plays Jennifer Smith, the head of a customer research study agency who is attempting to attain greater standings with her business and her rich, stickler aunt, played by Eve Arden. Throughout a sailing trip, Jennifer comes across an undersea gadget and is rescued by Bill Craig, played by Dennis Morgan, after her boat capsizes. Bill is an undercover Government agent testing a new submarine style. To preserve secrecy, he insists Jennifer was hallucinating when she claims to have actually seen a submarine.

Comical Romance
Bill develops a romantic interest in Jennifer and sets up a series of comedic moments to ensure they cross courses routinely. Nevertheless, the series of inexplicable occurrences draws attention from Jennifer's colleagues and her Aunt Ellen, causing her to lose trustworthiness and put her career at threat.

Spy Suspicions
Suspicion grows when a mystical bundle that Jennifer accidentally brought back from her sailing journey consists of secret blueprints. This bundle brings her under analysis from not just her company and social circle, however also the federal government. In an effort to confirm her story and save her career, Jennifer becomes determined to find the mysterious submarine, making complex the federal government representative's undercover operation.

Conclusion
After much confusion, misinterpretation and funny misconceptions, the federal government orders Bill to wed Jennifer as an attempt to keep the event undercover. These orders leave Bill torn, due to his authentic feelings for Jennifer. Ultimately, the matter ends up being public, Jennifer vindicates herself, and Bill is enabled to openly pursue his love interest. Her sanity and credibility are no longer a matter of question, and the strange federal government agent turns out to be the male she enjoys.

Ensemble Cast
Jane Wyman and Dennis Morgan perfectly execute the roles of Jennifer and Bill, illustrating the intrigue, thriller, and unexpected romance. Likewise, the supporting cast, including Eve Arden as Aunt Ellen and Robert Douglas as Ralph Whitcomb, contribute to the nuanced portrayal of characters and the situational comedy that make this film an entertaining watch.

Crucial Evaluation
Overall, "The Lady Takes a Sailor" is a mix of comedy, romance, and thriller, providing a well-rounded portrayal of post-war professional ladies. It brings a maze of secrets, misunderstandings, love, and spy undertones, making it a special option in the black-and-white film age. The film depicts Jennifer as confident and self-reliant, rattling the standard image of a damsel-in-distress concerning terms with a powerful guy's world. This strong female character representation sets it apart and makes it a feminist highlight of the late 1940s.

Top Cast

  • Jane Wyman (small)
    Jane Wyman
    Jennifer Smith
  • Dennis Morgan (small)
    Dennis Morgan
    Bill Craig
  • Eve Arden (small)
    Eve Arden
    Susan Wayne
  • Robert Douglas (small)
    Robert Douglas
    John Tyson
  • Allyn Joslyn (small)
    Allyn Joslyn
    Ralph Whitcomb
  • Tom Tully (small)
    Tom Tully
    Henry Duckworth
  • Lina Romay (small)
    Lina Romay
    Racquel Riviera
  • William Frawley (small)
    William Frawley
    Oliver Harker