Wonderful Movie

One of my all time favorites.

Fresh and Exciting

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

IT HAD TO BE YOU is an imaginative fantasy/comedy, but by 1947 the era of screwball was pretty much finished. Its comedy is real but forced, not least in the hyperactive performance given by Ginger Rogers, almost as if she didn't have confidence that the material could play without a serious push. But fantasy requires a lighter touch than it got from Rogers in this movie. Cornel Wilde's performance isn't exactly understated either, but it remains controlled and effective, and surprisingly, he seems to have had more of a flair for farce than he had for the adventure flicks that filled his career.His George McKesson is certainly an unusual character. Something of a guardian angel for Ginger's Vicki, George appears not as a disembodied spirit but as a physical man, and in the image of her subconscious 'true love' who turns out to be a fireman, also played by Wilde. This is an angel who doesn't know exactly why he's been sent to earth (beyond helping Victoria, of course), and has to discover the secret right along with her. He isn't much of a help in this regard, merely serving as an embarrassment to her as he comes between Vicki and her latest false fiancée. Ultimately, George would seem to be more of a plot device than anything else, but that's fair enough, the movie has no pretension to being anything more than an amusement, and it amuses tolerably well.Did Wilde ever have another chance to do comedy? If not, it's a pity. As for Ginger, IT HAD TO BE YOU is something of a milestone in her career. This is the last time she played a character noticeably younger than her actual age (a common occurrence up to this point. MONKEY BUSINESS is kinda, sorta an exception). 1948 would be the first year since 1928 in which she would not make any films at all (an unfortunate contract signed with a fledgling studio would be the cause of that delay). When she returned in THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY she played a mature wife, and it would be mature characters for the rest of her career. And it would be a different Hollywood. The Classic Period was already slipping away, and it slipped away a lot faster for its aging female figures, particularly those who weren't the type to play human grotesques. Maybe that's the reason she seemed so uncharacteristically frantic in IT HAD TO BE YOU. She sensed that time was beginning to run out. Happily, she would have a long and graceful denouement.

I reviewed this around the Valentine's month for 2011. Notice it was coming on wee hours of the morning and set recorder to do so. I had never seen the movie – didn't know it existed, yet found it interesting after reviewing the recording. There was something about the write-up that made me think it would be interesting. I was thinking of Runaway Bride - but only thing they shares is that the bride did runaway. After that, the movies are different as it has fantasy and reality both in the plot. I think we need a tip for watching and enjoying the movie: The tip is to not to try to guess where the movie is going but relax and know it does have a happy ending. Enjoy how you get there.I did some Google's and research for what inspired the song to the title of the move: It Had to be You. I found it was inspired by song writer Gus Kahn's wife Grace. Also there is a movie slightly about their life story together in: I'll See You in My Dreams" Interesting points – Both of the movies were done after the death of Gus Kahn who passed in 1941. There are some interesting/clean dreams in the movie that add to the story.In It had to be You, I think they put some of Ginger Roger's life attributes in the movie - she fished and did sculpting/art though she never sold the art and kept for herself. Cornel Wilde was an acrobatic and plays dual role of both the as he calls himself in the movie Hot Indian and a fireman. Not sure if he did his own stunts, yet it sort of looked that way. He plays both roles differently too: the Indian is more outgoing and the fireman is a little reserved. I read Cornel's online biography and it seems he liked to see how he would play a character and he may have given those to interpretations/mindsets for the roles.After you get over where was the movie going and trying guess ahead based on prior movies you may have seen: the movie becomes interesting the way it came together. The ending appears as if they are out of time and need to end it. Even the music suggests such; but it's OK - as it's a happy ending!

Total stinker involving Ginger Rogers who says no to 3 guys during her wedding ceremonies.She finally meets up with Cornel Wilde, dressed as an Indian, at a station. Wilde is supposed to be some guardian angel.The film is an absolutely stupid series of events where Wilde emerges as a fireman, the only true love for Rogers. Seems that the two of them knew each other years before when she was 6. He also has left 3 women at the altar.The film might have been better had it try to develop further the relationship between a wealthy society girl and a fireman.Wilde looks like he is having a good time here. The audience certainly was not.

This was a great movie and was a lot of fun. Ginger Rogers was fantastic as usual and Cornel Wilde was a hunk!. I would like them to make this film available on video. I want to add it to my collection. If only the movie stations would play these classics more often!