Search - Made for Each Other on DVD

Notes on the MGM Version

J. Michael Click | Fort Worth, Texas United States | 01/02/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Movie: ***1/2 DVD Quality: *** DVD Extras: N/A

"Made for Each Other" is a textbook example of how a skillful cast of pros can turn an ordinary, run-of-the-mill script into something special. The film's plot is a soap operatic pastiche of comedic and dramatic incidents revolving around the misfortunes of a young hardluck couple who have married after a brief meeting. Their fledging relationship is tested at every turn as they are beset by a long list of cliched domestic problems, including disapproving inlaws; financial worries; tragic illness and impending loss; etc, etc. In lesser hands the film might have turned out to be 93 minutes of bathetic nonsense, but co-stars Carole Lombard and James Stewart succeed in taking straw and spinning it into pure gold. Both actors approach their roles with a disarming integrity and heartfelt honesty that breathe life into the often hackneyed dialogue and situations; Lombard in particular manages to make her character luminescent from the inside out, even in those scenes in which she is dimly lit and appears devoid of makeup. Now THAT'S "star power"! The two leads are given able support by a wonderful cast of talented character actors giving their all (Charles Coburn, Lucile Watson, Harry Davenport, and Louise Beavers), but ultimately the picture rests on Stewart's and Lombard's more than capable shoulders.

At one point, the copyright on "Made for Each Other" lapsed and the film fell into the public domain. Television broadcasters and cheapie video companies aired or sold copies of varying quality, sometimes made from third or fourth generation prints that featured wretched contrast, inept splices, and muddy sound. Happily, the MGM DVD offers the cleanest, sharpest video and audio I have come across in years of searching. In the past, I have stopped watching various prints five to ten minutes into the film because of quality problems, but the MGM print - though not perfect - is relatively free of video or audio distortion, and is definitely the one I would recommend to you, especially if you're purchasing a copy to add to your home library."

Nice movie, shame about the picture

lisah | 02/21/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great example of the old time Hollywood soap opera. James Stewart and Carole Lombard are wonderful (as always) as the young couple dealing with the strange and cruel twists and turns of life. A two-hankie weepie. However, I strongly recommend that you do not purchase this dvd. The sound and picture quality are terrible. It is completely unwatchable and the hiss is so bad the dialogue is muffled. It's hard to understand how a company can find tranfers as bad as these - the vhs copies are much superior. Trust me, this may seem like a bargain but it is not. 4 stars for the movie 0 for the dvd"

Jimmy Stewart & Carole Lombard triumph over tragedy!

Dave | Tennessee United States | 01/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jimmy Stewart and Carole Lombard play a recently married couple that discovers family life isn't easy in this entertaining classic from 1939 (Hollywood's best year). Their love for each other is soon put to the test by Stewart's snobby Mom (played by Lucille Watson) who finds it hard to get along with Lombard. Also, Stewart's job is frustrating and stressful, and his grumpy, hard-of-hearing boss (played by Charles Coburn) doesn't make things easy for him. Soon Stewart and Lombard have mounting debts that can't be paid, and then tragedy strikes and they have only their love and faith to pull through the worst crisis of their lives. The plot may sound a little hokey, but thanks to great casting and wonderful performances from Lombard and Stewart, it actually works well. My main complaint with this dvd is the HORRIBLE sound quality. I had to turn the volume up nearly to max and I still couldn't hear what they said at times! This is a very enjoyable movie, but with such poor sound quality I can only give this dvd a four-star rating."

Good early Stewart and Lombard

Craig Clarke | New England | 05/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an early film is the careers of stars James Stewart and Carole Lombard. They star as a young impulsively-married couple who go through all the tribulation that entails. The performances are all top-rate and the cast includes Charles Coburn as Stewart's hearing-impaired boss and a cameo by Ward Bond as a reluctant pilot.It is a light comedy-drama with a good script and great acting. My one complaint is that the last half-hour is mostly taken up with a soap-ish baby sickness scare that does little to expand the story, but gives Lombard an opportunity for an "Oscar clip" level crying scene and to look beatific praying to a statue of Jesus. This is in retrospect, however, as I was riveted to the screen throughout the ordeal.All in all, a good (not excellent) film and a realistic portrayal of married life (sans housekeepers, of course) buoyed by terrific acting all around."