Found myself really liking the first film 'Four Daughters', which was happily not what it easily could have been or sounded like but turned out to be gently amusing, cosy, charming, sincere and surprisingly subtle. A few of the characters were underwritten and one major subplot was rushed for my, and other people's, liking which made the decision difficult to buy. Mostly though, 'Four Daughters' was also very well written and acted and if you like Michael Curtiz or any of the actors you should be in for a treat.
So hopes were slightly high for its sequel 'Four Wives', although sequels a vast majority of the time do not have good reputations, seeing as most of the original cast return. Will admit though to being a little disappointed by 'Four Wives' in comparison, while still liking it with it having most of the things that made 'Four Daughters' as good a film that it was and it is very true in spirit to it, just that there were things that were done better before, but there were a couple of things missing.
Will say that it was great and really appreciated that Kay, beautifully played by Rosemary Lane, was more fleshed out here with the powerful hospital scene being her high points. The underuse of May Robson and the great Claude Rains (for me the latter was a high point before) was less appreciated though. They both do well with what they have to work with (it took a lot for Rains to be bad in anything) but considering their calibre they were worth more than this. Jeffrey Lynn, who was good in 'Four Daughters', is bland this time round.
Likewise with that rather too creepy dream sequence concerning the ghostly Mickey. The song, a very meaningful one repeated more than once throughout, was great, but generally the sequence didn't have the desired effect and John Garfield lacks the same spark as he did before here. Unsurprisingly so though, the material isn't as meaty and the screen time is significantly shorter. Ann is less likeable here too, though still interesting and well developed, and the time from the ending of the previous film to the events here felt pretty hurried to me and some others.
However, 'Four Wives' is well made and photographed, never elaborate but never static-looking either. We also have a distinctively sumptuous score by Max Steiner and distinguished direction from Michael Curtiz as ever. The story is again full of cosy charm, humanity and emotional impact, as well as not being anywhere near as simple as it sounds. The script probes thought and is sincere and gently amusing too.
Of the acting, which is on the most part solid apart from Lynn, Priscilla Lane and Kay Lane are particularly strong. Eddie Albert is a nice addition. Frank McHugh is nice levity.
Summing up, well done if not as good. 7/10
