I'll Wait for You (1941)

So much average

Just perfect...

Good concept, poorly executed.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Though Hunt and Weidler make a strong impression, the movie itself doesn't. It's entertaining enough as a programmer, but the sum total lacks impact. Seems gangster Lucky (Sterling) has to flee from cops and the city to hide out in the countryside. Trouble is he's shot on the way and is taken in by a genial farm family who knows nothing about his past, which he hides from them. Meanwhile, he's captivated by the family's charmingly innocent daughter (Hunt). Thus begins a slow process of reform as Lucky discovers a more fulfilling way of life. Despite his mellowing out, however, the city cops are still looking for him.Sterling tries hard but lacks the gravitas of the gangster part. He's likable but without the complexity the part calls for. Thus attention shifts to Hunt and the spunky Weidler. On the other hand, catch the Runyonesque Ben Weidler as a doctor, no less. I don't think his degree came from Harvard. All in all, an underlying message does seem present. Namely, that good honest farm work and its uncomplicated people are a good tonic for corrupt city ways. At least, that appears the upshot. Of course, you don't have to agree to be entertained, especially by the marvelous Hunt and the lively Weidler. At the same time, I'm glad Sterling found his forte in the Topper TV series where his natural likability was enough.

"I'll Wait for You" from 1941 is an old plot, filmed in 1934 as "Hide- Out" and, with changes here and there, like "The Life of Jimmy Dolan," the bad guy who meets good people and reforms has been done many times.This time it's Robert Sterling as Jack "Lucky" Wilson who is the guy who has to get out of town after putting the squeeze on some local merchants. Injured, he winds up on the farm of the Miller family, consisting of various animals and Ma and Pa Miller (Fay Holden and Henry Travers) and their two daughters, Lizzie (Virginia Weidler) and Pauline (Marsha Hunt). No big surprise, he falls for Pauline and grows to like and appreciate the family.A good cast uplifts this. Robert Sterling is a little obvious as a tough guy, but Marsha Hunt is lovely as Pauline, and Virginia Weidler provides good fun as the feisty younger daughter. Paul Kelly is the detective after Lucky, and he gives a good performance as a not so hard-boiled lawman.This is a decent film with a sweet love story, elevated by Hunt's performance. I saw her a few years ago at a Paramount 100th birthday celebration -- she was in her nineties, looked great, and gave a nice talk. An underrated actress.

About 5 minutes into watching this movie on TCM, I noticed that the story seemed very familiar. Then it occurred to me that I was watching the same story as Hideout (1934) with Robert Montgomery and Maureen O'Sullivan. It is a wonderful story; both screenplays (while not identical they are storyboarded in an identical way) are terrific. For my money, the original edges this one out just slightly because it has a stronger cast. One has to ask, "Why so soon, only 7 years from the original?" I am a fan of Marsha Hunt -- beautiful and empathic, she'd make a great leading lady for any film. But I am a HUGE fan of O'Sullivan -- she is so supremely cute that her leading men must've always been falling in love with her. I don't think I've seen Sterling in anything else and he does a terrific job here. But Montgomery was really successful at being a lovable smart mouth and a menacing racketeer.I recommend both (for comparison) and both are wonderful, but be sure to see the 1934 movie!

Have always been a great fan of Marsha Hunt over the years and greatly enjoy her acting career and have seen her in Broadway Plays in NYC. Todate, Marsha Hunt is 90 years of age and will be 91 in October of 2008. This picture starts off with a hood named Lucky Wilson, (Robert Sterling) who is a big time gangster who is a tough guy and muscle man for the Mob in New York City. Lucky loves women and fast living and eventually he becomes wanted by the police and his bosses recommend that he take a trip to Conn. to hide out and get away from the heat. Lucky gets shot and is found by a farm family who take him under their wing and of course, Marsha Hunt,(Pauline Miller) appears as the sweet and lovely farm gal who takes care of Lucky and the two of them grow very fond of each other. However, Lucky does not tell her about his past and when a policeman named Lt. McFarley, (Paul Kelly) appears on the scene, things start to change. This is a very nice drama and a very sweet love story which will capture your heart like it did in 1941. Enjoy.