Faithful in My Fashion (1946) User Reviews (13)

I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 5 June 2010]

After serving four (and a half) years, World War II hero Tom Drake (as Jeff Compton) returns to the New York City department store where he worked with stock clerk sweetheart Donna Reed (as Jean "Chunky" Kendrick). Free from service (in a few weeks), Mr. Drake hopes to marry Ms. Reed. He believes she has been waiting for him. But, Reed has been promoted to a manager, and has a fiancé. In fact, she believes she never loved Drake - but, since he was serving his country honorably, and was taken to a prison camp, Reed could never bring herself to write the "Dear John" letter.

Her co-workers, led by fussy Edward Everett Horton (as Hiram Dilworthy), convince Reed she shouldn't spoil Drake's furlough, and she pretends nothing has changed. Reed wants to break it to him gently, but Drake gets more and more romantic… Reed and Drake are an incredibly sweet and attractive couple - they so obviously belong together, you could go stark raving mad if this film didn't end with the two (re-)kindling their love, and living happily ever after. And, the film does not disappoint. Mr. Horton, obviously having fun during the drunk scene, and the supporting cast are amusing.

****** Faithful in My Fashion (8/22/46) Sidney Salkow ~ Donna Reed, Tom Drake, Edward Everett Horton, Spring Byington

Hail the conquering hero! But don't tell him the truth!

[gerdeen-1 · 30 September 2009]

This is kind of a lightweight comic version of "The Best Years of Our Lives." A soldier returns from World War II on a final two-week leave before getting out of the service. Visiting the New York department store where he used to work, he declares that he intends to go back to being a stock clerk and marry the girl he left behind in the stockroom. But things have changed: The girlfriend is now a store executive, and she's engaged to another man.

Sympathetic workers at the store devise an elaborate plan to fool the young vet for two weeks, making him believe things are just as he left them. They even talk the old girlfriend into playing along, but obviously their real hope is that love will be rekindled.

OK, give it credit for a cute premise. But as a comedy of mix-ups, this one doesn't work especially well. It's more likable than funny. (The most amusing character by far is the insecure new fiancé, but he's barely on screen.) Best enjoyed as a period piece.

It's interesting to see Donna Reed and Barbara Billingsley in a movie together, although Billingsley's role is very small. Who could have guessed that in just a few years, these two would be America's most beloved TV mothers? Nobody.

Featuring Donna Reed as CHUNKY!?!

[xerses13 · 4/10 · 29 September 2009]

Yes, CHUNKY, this is the nick-name that Donna Reeds' romantic lead played by Tom Drake tags her with! So lets get this clear right away. From her first ingénue role in THE GET-AWAY (1941) too her last, DALLAS T.V. (1984-1985) Ms. Reed could NEVER be described as CHUNKY. Not this attractive and slim actress. Whose roles at M.G.M. seldom lived up to her talents.

Ms. Reed is supported by a cast of competent character actors, who unfortunately must flounder through this alleged 'screw-ball' comedy. Clearly M.G.M. was out of their depth making this type of film. A type better produced over at COLUMBIA, PARAMOUNT, RKO and even UNIVERSAL. Neither the 'touch' of Ernst Lubitsch nor the wit of Preston Sturges could save this film. A rather conventional romantic comedy that had all the markings of a pre-war (WWII) effort.

If Irving Thalberg had still been alive the screen-play would have either gone through a significant rewrite or never seen the light of day. It did fit into Louis B. Mayer's 'safe-zone' of none challenging family entertainment. A form that could not stand up to the post-war challenges of the 'DeHavilland Decision', loss of their theater chains, television and would contribute to M.G.M.s decline. Fortunetly for Donna Reed her best days are ahead of her culminating in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) and her Oscar win as Best Supporting Actress.

I can't see why they would make a film with a plot like this...especially after the war had just ended.

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 16 March 2018]

Jeff (Tom Drake) has been away at war for years and has just returned home. The first place he goes is not home but to see his fiancee, Jean (Donna Reed), at her job at the department store. However, she's now engaged to another man...but doesn't tell him and her co-workers go along with this. So through most of the movie, she lies to him as they plan the wedding!

"Faithful in My Fashion" has a LOT running against it. After all, WWII had just ended and the notion of a guy coming back from the war to find his fiancee engaged to another is a tough sell...particularly when it's supposed to be a romantic comedy. I bet a lot of theater goers (particularly those who'd been in the war) were ticked to see such a film. Additionally, IF she ends up marrying the nice soldier by the end, you'd wonder WHY he would take her back! And, most importantly, how could you string all this along for 81 minutes?! After all, he returns, you tell him, he goes on with his life....5-10 minutes tops! To make it worse they cast Tom Drake--the perfect 'nice guy' actor for such a role and the notion of a woman lying to him or cheating on him seems particularly evil!! Yet somehow someone at MGM thought this would make a great film...and parts of it are (ALL the portions with Harry Davenport are like gold)...but overall it's a dud....an ill-conceived one at that. Slickly made...but horrible.

faithful in my fashion

[mossgrymk · 4/10 · 10 February 2021]

Did this movie ever appeal to anyone under 65? Just asking.

Faithful to what a good old fashioned love story should be!

[agentbristow68510 · 10/10 · 24 August 2005]

I loved this movie!!! The characters were people that you could feel for. The young man back from the service still in love with the girl he left behind. Tom Drake is always perfect in the romantic lead as well as Donna Reed as the love of his life. The looks he gives her as if he has been starved for the sight of her as well as her hesitation and confusion as too her feelings for him were played very well. The rest of the quirky characters at the store were perfect as they tried to bring them together. The most touching scene however, was the young couple at his great grandfather's house. I laughed in parts, cried in some and thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie. In fact I've re-watched it about 5 times. A definite must see for total romantics.

An arch title for a sweet, innocent, thoroughly charming romantic comedy.

[Handlinghandel · 9/10 · 26 May 2002]

The arch title doesn't fit this gentle romantic comedy. Donna Reed and Tom Drake don't have much chemistry -- but their characters aren't supposed to. Both are extremely likable and attractive.

The supporting cast is a dream -- with the exception of Sig Ruman's annoying faux Russian.

Charming department store comedy.

[gkeith_1 · 10/10 · 18 March 2010]

My observations: Postwar hilarity. Tom Drake and Grandpa from "Meet Me in St. Louis" two years later (the year I was born). Donna Reed charming and pretty. Margaret Hamilton good as always; smaller part than in "Wizard of Oz". Spring Byington way prettier, also with the prerequisite perky small nose lacked by Hamilton. Tent scene at end with former boy next door was hilarious. As a two year veteran of Army tents, he looked pretty youthful and inexperienced when I looked into his eyes.

I used to work in a department store, and it was just as elegant as this one. Sadly, it has disappeared and faded into obscurity. We were famous for those great show windows that were used to lure passersby into the store, to get them to buy all of that wonderful merchandise.

10/10

Tries Hard

[dougdoepke · 3 April 2010]

Jeff returns from WWII, during which his girl has been promoted to department store executive and is now engaged to another man. So, just how much has war changed the homefront.

Typical MGM second feature of the time gives their younger players a chance to shine, while backed up by a veteran cast of supporting players. It's strictly lightweight since all dark traces of war have been removed from Drake's returning soldier. As a comedy, it's more sweet and mildly amusing than funny. Drake's ultra-boyish Jeff is the idealized boy-next- door, while Reed's conflicted Jean is still the picture of wholesomeness. Together, they're the audience's ideal young couple for facing a post-war future, with all the essentials moving into place. Above all, the movie works to reassure anxious movie-goers then readjusting to peacetime.

The comedy itself depends on two extended segments—the "mad" Russian (Ruman) playing cupid, and the shoe department "merchandizing" the couple back together again. And although the veteran players try hard, the episodes come across as more frantic than sparkling. Too bad the studio didn't assign a more talented comedy director with a better sense of timing and pacing. True, Drake may never have become the studio's second Van Johnson, while Reed is mainly remembered as one of TV's favorite moms. Still, the two do have their moments of genuine charm in this otherwise forgettable period piece.

...True to you in my way

[valinis · 9/10 · 16 August 2005]

On the surface, this is an above-average post-war romantic comedy. Beneath the veneer, it is MGM character actor stunt-casting at its funniest.

The leads are straightforward, but all the secondaries are cast much against type. Margaret Hamilton (aka Wicked Witch of the West), Edward Everett Horton (professional obsessive-compulsive fussbudget), and Sig Ruman (the Marx Brothers' nemesis in _Night In Casablanca_ and the always-wonderful _Night At The Opera_), playing a well-intentioned gang trying to bring the two leads together, instead of driving them apart as their "usual" characters would do.

It also pokes fun at many romantic-comedy conventions, which is another indication that this could be not so much a "straight" romantic comedy, as it is a wry send-up of the many post-war romantic comedies & their 2-dimensional, stock characters.

I've seen it only once, with interruptions, so I can't be positive, but this movie may be one of those that worked better in the context of the time at which it was made, but is less successful now that viewers "see" these secondary characters through a completely different lens. I'm assuming this is the case when I give it 9 stars. I thought it was hysterical.

coninuity goof

[jacksondoc · 8/10 · 4 February 2021]

Mid-film, Tom is wearing Ike jacket which lacks his 3-stripe sergeant's rank. An excellent actor, never a let-down. Looked for a CIB then saw 2nd Armod Div patch. All tank crewmen were incredibly brave.

Faithful in My Fashion-True To Its Mission ***

[edwagreen · 8/10 · 30 March 2013]

Donna Reed and Tom Drake are a perfect pair in this 1946 light film about a returning soldier who doesn't know that the love of his life has been promoted in the place they both work in and as has a new love life interest.

Margaret Hamilton reminded me of Lily Tomlin with the way her hair was set for this film.

The wonderful supporting cast tries to keep the news from Drake for the two weeks that he is in before he'll officially be discharged from the army.

Invariably, Drake finds out the truth and the group sets upon an idea to bring the two back to each other. How they compare it to selling shoes is funny.

Sig Ruman is great as the Russian music teacher who is occupying the apartment that Reed left when she was promoted.

Light fanfare with Harry Davenport good as the great-grandfather to Drake, who hopes to see him marry Reed.

Postwar fidelity

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 9 August 2022]

On paper I'm sure it seemed like a good idea-- tell a story about a postwar couple who rediscover they are right for each other. After all it's a mid-40s rom-com, probably a project intended for Van Johnson and June Allyson. Though I don't think it would've fared better with them, because the main problem is not the stars-- in this case, Tom Drake and Donna Reed. Both have charm, and both do their best.

Instead the issue is more to do with a script that seems to be in need of a rewrite or at least some considerable polishing. The premise is this: a returning army veteran (Drake) has a job waiting for him at a big city department store as soon as he is mustered out of the service. He also has a girl (Reed), or so he believes.

Only when he turns up, we learn she moved on with a more successful businessman (Warner Anderson)...something she failed to mention in her letters. The longer she keeps the truth to herself, the more complicated things get. Especially when the notion of proposing to her crosses his mind.

As far as premises go, it's fine and dandy. But how the gal and her coworkers conspire to keep the truth from the ex-soldier is uneven and often defies logic. At one point, she barters an agreement with a man (Sig Ruman, as a stereotypical Russian) who has moved into her old apartment.

The arrangement will allow her to stay there for awhile so she can keep up the pretense to Drake that she still resides there, because it's where she lived when Drake went off to war. Why? Can't she just say she moved during his absence? I guess she doesn't want him to see how materially successful she's become and that she can now afford a better place...but why would it matter?

She acts as if he cannot accept change or make the necessary adjustments. Come on, he was overseas for four years. Surely he's learned to adjust to change and adapt to new situations. This story might have worked better if like Carole Lombard's character in NOTHING SACRED (1937), it was mistakenly thought that Drake was dying and Reed wanted to make things "perfect" for him...how he remembered life before the war. As it is, there's no plausible reason for her to lie to him continually or for her to entangle her store coworkers in such ongoing deception.

The coworkers are the best part of the movie. Edward Everett Horton is an officious floor manager, with Spring Byington on hand as his diligent assistant. Also, we have Margaret Hamilton cast against type as a nice saleswoman. They all work together very well. There's even an ambitious clerk (Wilson Wood) who reminds me of Joseph Schildkraut in THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940). I wouldn't be surprised if the writer of this film drew inspiration from some of the characters in Ernst Lubitsch's classic.

There's a lovely sequence two-thirds of the way into the picture where Mr. Drake takes Miss Reed to meet his kind old grandpa (Harry Davenport) who owns a place out in the country. That's when she realizes she still is in love with Drake. The exteriors for grandpa's estate seem to be the same ones that Metro used for Van Johnson & Dorothy McGuire's home in INVITATION (1952) several years later.

All in all FAITHFUL IN MY FASHION is not a horrible way to spend 80 minutes. However, with more logical plot construction and much more realistic dialogue, it could have been a true classic.