Day-time Wife (1939)

The Age of Commercialism

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

An anytime bore if ever there was one, this is a Clayton's sex comedy – namely the sex comedy you have when you're not having a sex comedy. In fact, the word "sex" is never so much as breathed, let alone mentioned. Indeed, we are given to understand that although the thoughts of both protagonists (played respectively by Ty Power and Linda Darnell) may have strayed towards marital indiscretions, no such indiscretions have actually taken place. Mind you, the movie does provide a good reason for straying. The wife won't even allow her husband to sleep with her. Oddly, this fact is not pointed out in the dialogue at all, although it is visually presented to our amazed eyes at least a dozen times. (I was going to say at least fifty times, but maybe that's a slight exaggeration). In all, Day- Time Wife (a true title if ever there was one) is a forced, witless excuse for a comedy. Although it is beautifully photographed by Miss Darnell's husband, Pev Marley, and gloriously mounted (Royer costumes, Wright sets), the mindless chatter and hokey plot wears out long before the movie is even half over. What makes it watchable, however, is sixteen-year-old Linda Darnell. Never has such a beauty been so eloquently captured by a movie camera, either before or since, at such a young age. (This one was available on a Fox DVD at a special low price for insomniacs, but I understand it has now sold out.)

Linda Darnell is at home alone waiting on hubby Tyrone Power to come home. But why, in the roofing business, does he keep such hours away from her? She planned a surprise anniversary party that he couldn't come home to, so they went to him at the office and HE WASN"T THERE! She convinces herself, along with help from good friend Binnie Barnes, that he's out with his secretary, not having an affair, just having a gay old time. After all, secretaries get some of the husband's attention lavished on them. Binnie should know, she says, with her three divorces. To see the advantage of being a secretary, Linda proceeds to get a job at an architect's office, played wonderfully by Warren William. But, it's kept a secret from Ty, of course. Unfortunately, not only does he know Tyrone, but he does business with him, causing Linda to dash out of the office, whenever Ty shows up. One thing leads to another and the last 30 minutes are a total hoot. I didn't expect such an hilarious escapade from Ty and company, but it sure is a crowd pleaser. You feel so upbeat and good after watching this.(And, Tyrone, already a great looking man, looks so cute acting so sheepish, when shown up.) This unknown film can be found on a Tyrone Power DVD collection and should be seen more than it is. Despite Warren William being at the peak of his form, he does seem to be older than his costars. Not that he looks bad, but their glowing youth and good looks make him appear to be somewhat out of place. Nonetheless at 74 minutes, this should be enjoyed by all who love screwball comedies. Discover "Day Time Wife" today!

This movie was not bad, it wasn't wonderful but it wasn't bad. There were some very funny scenes. I found it fascinating (and slightly disturbing) that Linda Darnell was only 16 when she made this movie! She did a very good job in this role considering her age!The movie starts on the morning of Mr and Mrs Norton's second anniversary. Ken Norton doesn't realize what day it is and that night while an anniversary party is taking place at their house his secretary calls in to let Jane know he's got to work late. The guests decide to bring the party to him. When they get to his office they find two cleaning ladies but no Ken and no secretary. Jane's friend finds a bottle of expensive perfume in the secretary's drawer. Ken sneaks into their apartment late at night while Jane is still awake and smells the expensive perfume on her husband.Jane sets out to find what a secretary/boss relationship is like and gets a job with a well off architect. Things get interesting when Jane's boss and Ken start working on a contract and arrange a double date with their secretaries to discuss the contract.

1939 may have been the shiniest of Hollywood's Golden Years, but this gilded stinker should certainly keep us from getting too gassy about the whole thing.Yes, the principals are pretty, and given that (if you can believe the biographical info) Darnell had barely entered puberty by the time she was outfitted in this ermine-lined straitjacket, she acquits herself fairly well (altho her girlish piping seems bizarre vis a vis the later, memorable alto of "Letter to Three Wives").But if you ever needed proof that Tyrone Power was no Cary Grant, brother, stop here. His double-takes and eye-rolling are appalling and his comic timing non-existent. Power looks heroic in a dinner jacket, but otherwise he's just plain rotten here.So is most of the dialogue. And the direction. I suppose "Day-Time Wife" merits some historical attention as one more '30's "comedy of remarriage," but its essential feature is its mind-boggling stupidity.