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Penny Serenade

Play trailer Poster for Penny Serenade Released Apr 24, 1941 1h 58m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Since marrying Roger Adams (Cary Grant), Julie (Irene Dunne) has wanted to start a family. An accident while she's visiting Japan causes a miscarriage and makes Julie incapable of having children. After they adopt a little girl, Trina (Eva Lee Kuney), Roger's small newspaper folds, and the couple has to fight in court to keep her. Even though they succeed, another tragedy strikes out of nowhere. The Adams' marriage looks headed for divorce, unless something brings them close again.
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Penny Serenade

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
John C. Flinn Sr. Variety George Stevens' direction and the excellence of the stars' playing make the film. Nov 13, 2007 Full Review Time Out This is a classic 'women's picture' in every sense. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times If you are prone to easy weeping, you might even take along a washtub. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Ian Kane Epoch Times It’s an even better watch for those who have fallen in love before and know the risks that come with it. Rated: 4/5 May 1, 2024 Full Review John Kinloch California Eagle Its objectives are excellently realized, and it stands as a visual refutation of the industry's axiom that movies must move. Oct 31, 2019 Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial The film has in its plot a note of originality and touches the of paternal feeling with delicacy. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 18, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (194) audience reviews
Mark B Very good movie but it is sad, painfully sad. Acting is excellent especially Irene Dunn. George Stevens is the director and as always puts out a very good movie. I would say it suffers from some pacing issues at about the 1.5 hour mark and could have cut out 15 minutes . Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/24 Full Review Aender S This film has multiple problems, also for one of its era. My two main critique points: Acting is wooden with many unnecessary pauses in the dialogue and the most important plot element is handled completely negligently, only shown in a handwritten letter. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 06/07/24 Full Review nick s While it had some elements that didn't appeal - repitition with record changing and overly long child rearing sequences - it nevertheless had enough charm to keep me engaged. The leads were great. And the earthquake scene was very well executed. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/28/23 Full Review ernst k This films is sometimes given the moniker of "soap opera" as a negative aspect, but, it proves that any genre can be superior entertainment when written well and acted even better. Cary Grant shows true range from comedic to dramatic, and in his deepest emotional scene it's difficult for anyone with a good heart not to verge on tears. All-in-all, many good set pieces and a superior film that should get greater recognition. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Great film, sentimental, but a wonderful story of a couple who try to have a child. Cary Grant and Irene Dunne star. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/22/21 Full Review Audience Member Pretty decent film with some good acting from Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. However, it's pretty standard Hollywood schmaltz for that time. The writing also seems pretty clichéd. However, it is a nice film that has a somewhat interesting plot and allows Grant to demonstrate his acting abilities at the end of the film. As a result, Grant was nominated for Best Actor, but in my opinion he wasn't as good as the only other nominee I've seen; Robert Montgomery in Here Comes Mr. Jordan. The heartstring pulling twist seems a bit forced as well and the ending seems to solve the main character's relationship too easily with no worries or hesitation from either character. Overall, a nice film that's treads along well but fails to stand out among a sea of standard schmaltzy old Hollywood films. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Penny Serenade

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Movie Info

Synopsis Since marrying Roger Adams (Cary Grant), Julie (Irene Dunne) has wanted to start a family. An accident while she's visiting Japan causes a miscarriage and makes Julie incapable of having children. After they adopt a little girl, Trina (Eva Lee Kuney), Roger's small newspaper folds, and the couple has to fight in court to keep her. Even though they succeed, another tragedy strikes out of nowhere. The Adams' marriage looks headed for divorce, unless something brings them close again.
Director
George Stevens
Producer
George Stevens
Screenwriter
Martha Cheavens, Morrie Ryskind
Distributor
Columbia Pictures, Republic Pictures, Reel Media International [us]
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 24, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 26, 2011
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)
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