Leo McCarey was one of the all time great American filmmakers (and my personal favorite director). He is often given credit for coming up with the idea to team Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. He directed the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup, and Harold Lloyd in The Milky Way. He also directed such classics as The Awful Truth, Going My Way, Make Way For Tomorrow, and The Bells of Saint Mary. I personally amazed Leo's name is rarely mentioned among such other greats of comedy direction during the 1930's and 40's such as Frank Capra and Preston Sturges. Leo is definitely one of the greats of screwball comedy. With a director this good it is no wonder this film is so great.
Almost unbelievable for a film this great there was never a complete script. Pages of the script were changed almost daily. The actors never memorized the lines, because they felt they could easily be changed the next day. The rewrites were done for a reason. The first part of this film was more light-hearted and the second half was more dramatic. One suggestion was by Charles Boyer himself. He suggested a scene involving his character's grandmother (played by Maria Ouspenskaya) would play a bigger role in the story.
The story involves a man named Michel (played by Charles Boyer) and a woman named Terry (played by Irene Dunne). They meet on a boat and fall deeply in love with each other, despite the fact that both are engaged. They arrange to meet on the Empire State building. Unfortunately on her way there, Terry is hit by a car and becomes temporarily paralyzed. Terry doesn't want Michel to know she is paralyzed, so she can run to him when she is better. Michel is hurt by this as he doesn't know what happened. They meet again on Christmas, before Terry becomes better and she is afraid to admit it to him. However this meeting will change both their lives.
This movie is incredible. Everything in it is as good as it can be. The acting is great, the writing is fantastic, and the direction is as good as can be. The characters are more than just romantic comedy stereotypes and are very well thought out characters. On top of the comedy and romance, this movie features some fairly profound moments as well like those involving the grandmother. I couldn't recommend this movie more. By the way I am not the only one who holds this film in such a high regard. The film's stars Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne called this their personal favorite film they worked on.
Leo McCarey himself remade the film in 1957 as An Affair to Remember.
Below is an advertisement for the film in Boxoffice Magazine.
The following is an exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald (dated August 5, 1939)
"Love Affair: Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer - Very much enjoyed by my patrons. A refreshing story and the kids were great. Can recomend this one. Running Time 80 minutes. Played July 6 - A.L. Dove, Bengough Theatre, Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada. Rural and small town panronage."
The following is another exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herald (dated May 27, 1939).
"Love Affair: Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer - Although this did not draw as we expected it to, it certianly did please.Running time 89 minutes. Played April 25-26. - A.N. Miles, Eminice Theatre, Eminience, Ky. Small Town and rural pantroange."
Here is another exhibitor's review from The Motion Picture Herlad (dated October 28, 1939).
"Love Affair: Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer - Irene Dunne was born just a few miles from here and the local folks just lay a little claim to her because she is a Hoosier. She is always a good draw no matter how often played. 'Love Affair' is one of her best so they all said and that is good enough for me. Running Time 89 minutes. Played October 4-5. - Jim Haney, Milan Theatre, Milan, Ind. General pantroange."
-Michael J. Ruhland
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/3938/Love-Affair/articles.html
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