"The Moon's Our Home" is among the best comedy movies of all time. The screenplay is wacky and hilarious, and one of the wittiest ever. All of the cast are excellent. And, of all their films I can think of, Margaret Sullavan and Henry Fonda are at their funniest here. Their comedy has a liveliness about it - both in the script and in their acting it. I have seen a couple of comedies with a lead character who complains, whines and throws fits throughout. They quickly become more irritating than funny. But Sullavan plays her temperamental, tantrum-throwing character perfectly. Each fit has a rejoinder where she is sorry, warm and funny. Besides the two leads, a superb supporting cast fills out this wonderful film. Beulah Bondi, Charles Butterworth, Walter Brennan, Margaret Hamilton and more are the frosting on this cake.
Kudos to Faith Baldwin who adapted the plot from her serialized story of the same title that ran in Cosmopolitan magazine; and to the other writers who aided in her zany and zippy screenplay. The plot is so original and ingenious that it begs, bleeds, and breeds comedy. A man and woman meet, both have tempers, both are celebrities, but neither one has heard of the other one. They're very much alike. Both have terrible tempers, but with a couple of distinct differences. They both have professional names - but use their real names when not in the spotlight. She is movie star Cherry Chester, nee Sarah Brown. He is author Anthony Amberton, nee John Smith. She loves the adulation of her movie fans. He hates the flocks of female fans.
The premise here may not be so far out or unrealistic as some may think. Is it so far-fetched that two people who are well known in different fields wouldn't know or have even heard of the other? I think it's more common than one realizes. People tend to associate with the same kind in general interests, pastimes, work, entertainment, etc. Not all are movie buffs. And even among these, not all are avid readers. Not all like mysteries -- or musicals, or Westerns, or romance stories. Not all like or follow the same sports. I know many people who rarely go to movies - maybe once a year for a couple's night out. They don't read or follow celebrities online and couldn't name the top stars from 20 years ago. Movie buffs know the names of many stars, but how many know the names of top scientists, authors, and athletes of various sports?
So, in this movie, Anthony Amberton, aka John Smith, doesn't go to movies, but he travels around the world and writes about his adventures. And he's never heard of the actress Cherry Chester. She is a big name movie star, who is ensconced in the world of glamour, fame and Hollywood. She could care less about world adventurers and has never heard of Anthony Amberton. And, that's precisely what is the basis of this plot and its wacky and hilarious humor throughout. This isn't a case of mistaken identity, as in some other very good films. It's precisely because neither lead has heard of the other person, that such a hilarious script is possible.
There are some particularly innovative and funny scenes in this film. And, its technical and production aspects are excellent. But there's so much funny dialog that I have to give some samples here. The Quotes section on this IMDb Web page has many more, but here are some funny exchanges from this superb comedy.
Train stenographer, "We've got another celebrity on board, Mr. Amberton - Cherry Chester." Anthony Amberton, "Cherry Chester? Nobody's named Cherry Chester. What is Cherry Chester - some kind of new soft drink?" Stenographer, "She's a motion picture star." Amberton, "Never go to pictures. Marshmallow-faced movie stars make me sick."
Cherry Chester, looking through the book Boyce was reading, "Anthony Amberton - sounds like a hero in a costume picture. Great adventurer? Probably afraid to cross the street. Lots of hardships - I'll bet he's lost without his hot water bottle. Ah, Mr. Amberton and his camel. Oh, I see - he's the one with the hat on."
Anthony Amberton, "I loathe women like that. Give me a simple, primitive woman with a small, high chest." Ogden Holbrook, "Well, I'm only your publisher, but I'll see what I can do."
Mrs. Boyce Medford, "Sometimes I wish I had a nice restful job as night nurse in a psychiatric ward."
Sarah/Cherry, loudly in his ear, "I say my name is Brown." Lem, "Oh, Brown. His name is Smith. Heh, heh, heh."
Sarah/Cherry, "Wait! Wait a minute. Have I told you about my temper?" John/Anthony, "I've had complaints about mine." Sarah/Cherry, "We'll fight every day." John/Anthony, "We'll make up every night." Sarah/Cherry, "I'll leave you over and over again." John/Anthony, "I'll always find you."
Sarah/Cherry, "Would you have fallen in love with an average woman?" John/Anthony, "Certainly not! Would you have fallen in love with an average man?" Sarah/Cherry, "Certainly not! What makes you think I've fallen in love?"
John/Anthony, "I married Sarah Brown, and now I find I'm the husband of Cherry Chester too. So what?" Sarah/Cherry, "I married John Smith and I find I'm the wife of Anthony Amberton besides. So what?" John/Anthony, "Darling we're bigamists, do you mind?" Sarah/Cherry, "I love it."
Anthony/John, "If you call making faces on the screen a career." Cherry/Sarah, "What?" Anthony/John, "You certainly can't call it acting." Cherry/Sarah, "I suppose you call that tripe you turn out writing?" Anthony/John, "Ah ha! So you've read my book?" Cherry/Sarah, "I started one." Anthony/John, "What one?" Cherry/Sara, "That masterpiece where you look down all six of the pyramids." Anthony/John, "There are nine pyramids." Cherry/Sarah, "Six!" Anthony/John, "Nine!"