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The Lady Is Willing

Play trailer Poster for The Lady Is Willing 1942 1h 32m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Liza Madden (Marlene Dietrich) is a single and independent Broadway star who, when she discovers an abandoned baby, is suddenly stricken with motherly instinct. She needs to be married in order to adopt, so when she takes the baby to pediatrician Dr. McBain (Fred MacMurray), she proposes a marriage of convenience. McBain agrees, under the proviso of receiving money from her for his research. They go ahead with the phony marriage -- only to find they share a genuine attraction.

Critics Reviews

View All (2) Critics Reviews
Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial A comedy full of charm, featuring Marlene Dietrich with an exquisite delicateness and a certain naivety of good taste. [Full Review in Spanish] Sep 19, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A tedious mixture of crass melodrama and heavy-handed comedy. Rated: C Aug 9, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S S This movie is charming, compassionate and glamorous. No bloodshed or violence it's a wonderful change from movies from 2023. Marlene Dietrich's charm and style is unlike many actresses of today it has lasted beyond her years. Mitchell Liesen, Michigan native is a creative and sensitive director with many skills. His movie contributions include Midnight, Madame Satan, The Lady is Willing etc... If only there were better directors, actors and screen plays today. One must reach back 40+ years for great cinema. Movies are more than special effects , violence and brutality toward other humans...... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Steve D The script lets everyone down even with some fun ideas. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/27/23 Full Review Audience Member What works as a great comedy for a Broadway matinee just doesn't seem to work as well in film. This flick seem to have received standard treatment in the studio mill. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Engaging comedy with Fred and Marlene well matched and looking glamorous. As is usual Marlene is gowned in one eye popping creation after another. The picture takes an unnecessary detour into melodrama towards the end but snaps out of it for the proper ending. A cute and frothy film with Aline MacMahon contributing a fun performance as Marlene's right hand woman. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I loved this movie, Marlene is great as a ditzy actress and Fred is as charming and good looking as required. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Marlene Dietrich is the 'ditsy' actress who swipes (kidnaps) an abandoned infant only to discover that she can't keep the baby unless she's married. In walks a handsome pediatrician [Fred MacMurray] and soon a plan is conceived that involves a marriage of convenience and a few hundred white rabbits. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Lady Is Willing

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Liza Madden (Marlene Dietrich) is a single and independent Broadway star who, when she discovers an abandoned baby, is suddenly stricken with motherly instinct. She needs to be married in order to adopt, so when she takes the baby to pediatrician Dr. McBain (Fred MacMurray), she proposes a marriage of convenience. McBain agrees, under the proviso of receiving money from her for his research. They go ahead with the phony marriage -- only to find they share a genuine attraction.
Director
Mitch Leisen
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 32m