There is a reason why Hitchcock was known as the Master of Suspense and not the Master of Romantic Comedy. This film is proof of this, his only romantic comedy which he directed on the behest of the star Carole Lombard. Hitchcock later admitted he did not really understand the characters so just followed the screenplay.Ann (Carole Lombard) and David Smith (Robert Montgomery) are a married couple in New York. He is a well to do lawyer but although the couple are in love they bicker a lot. One morning, Ann asks David if he would marry her again if he had it to do over again. He replies he would not even though he is very happy with her.Well would you believe it later that day David is informed by a state official that due to a mishap they were never legally married. However this leads to a series of misunderstandings that drive the couple apart and she goes to the arms of his law partner who ends up proposing to her.The trouble with the film is that it fails as a screwball comedy and becomes increasingly tedious as the movie progresses and the couple keep on arguing. Although David said he would not marry Ann again he the spends the entire time conniving her to marry her again while she plays hard to get.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is a good comedy about a couple who learn that they haven't been legally married the past three years as they thought they were. The "un-marriage" is based on an absurd notion, but it sets the stage for what follows. And what follows is a comedy of errors and airs in which the groom pursues his bride all over again, while she plays hard to get.Robert Montgomery and Carole Lombard are the leads as David and Ann Smith. She reverts to her maiden name, Ann Krausheimer when they split up. This isn't one of Carole Lombard's funnier roles, but Montgomery is funny as he jumps through hoops to try to win his wife back. His law firm partner, Jeff Custer, also wants to woo Ann. Gene Raymond plays his part superbly as a real male wallflower. He's straight faced, overly considerate, and straightforward about a relationship with the one-time wife of his best friend and partner. It makes it that much funnier – and frustrating for David.Some of the funniest scenes are with Jeff's parents. Lucille Watson plays Mrs. Custer, Jeff's mother. She was one of the consummate Hollywood supporting cast who played superbly the role of a shocked mother, or mother-in-law, or snobbish, Puritanical society dame. Philip Merivale is equally aghast as Jeff's father, Ashley Custer. An uproarious scene occurs when Jeff introduces them to Ann. Just as they think she is a sweet, young thing, David enters the office and talks about their coffee together over the morning breakfast table the past three years. The crunch comes when he asks about his laundry, and says he doesn't have any more clean shorts. A type of this scene replays toward the end of the film – with hilarious portrayals of the dumbfounded and astonished Custers.It's a good thing that David and Jeff owned their own law firm. No one else would have been able to take so much time away from work as David did to pursue Ann. Some reviewers are surprised that this film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Hitch was well established as a versatile director before he came to the U.S. just before the start of World War II. He became known for his mastery at mystery films. But he had done a number of comedies, romances and dramas before, and even did one successful musical drama.This film came out at the end of January 1941. A year later Carole Lombard would be dead. She was killed in a plane crash in Nevada while returning home to California from a war bond drive. She was only 34 years old, but she is remembered today from some of the wonderful films she was in, especially her comedy roles. She was in 80 films in a 16-year career.On the other hand, Robert Montgomery isn't as well known today. He played a variety of roles in more than 60 films, but ended his silver screen career at age 46 in 1950. He spent the rest of his career in television. His last acting was in 1950-51 in his long-running TV series, Robert Montgomery Presents. After that, he continued to produce that show until 1957 and did some more TV production until 1960. He continued to work in the theater in the 1950s and won the 1955 Tony Award as best director for "The Desperate Hours." In 1968, Montgomery wrote a book entitled "An Open Letter from a Television Viewer" in which he lambasted the TV industry for its programming of violence.A favorite scene of mine in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" has Jeff and Ann riding in a sleigh to the cottages they have booked at Lake Placid in the Adirondacks. Ann says, "I love the smell of snow." Jeff says, "No one can smell snow." And Ann responds, "I can." Jeff looks around as though he's sniffing, then looks down at the horses pulling the sleigh and says, "That isn't snow."

Not Hitchcock at his best, but even when Hitchcock wasn't at his best he still did some good films. Mr. and Mrs. Smith will never be a personal favourite, but it is a good film, much better than the rating here and not one to be immediately discarded. Though it is understandable as to why people won't warm to this film mainly because the characters here are quite unpleasant. Where Mr. and Mrs. Smith falls down is in the last thirty minutes, where the pace slackens, the humour is rather tiresome and narratively it's here where the film runs out of ideas. As almost always with Hitchcock, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is a well made and directed film, not the most audacious of films visually but appropriate to the type of film it is. The script is elegant and witty, with razor-sharp interplay between the leads and many moments that will make you smile or laugh out loud(if it's not your cup of tea at the day, it's not a problem, Hitchcock's few ventures into comedy have all brought divisive opinions). It is a shame though that it is also one of those scripts that runs out of steam too early. There are also some great scenes that carry the slightly flimsy premise afloat, Robert Montgomery has the best moments, though Gene Raymond's tipsy to drunk scene is a joy and the razor shave moment is a nice example of the chemistry between the two leads. The two leads are wonderful and are thoroughly convincing together. Carole Lombard relishes her very showy role with great comic timing, not the most pleasant of characters mind you especially towards the end of the film, and looks radiant on screen. Robert Montgomery is much more subtle(no offence at all to Lombard) and has a more likable character, his comic timing is also spot on. The supporting roles are all solid, with Jack Carson and especially Gene Raymond the standouts. In conclusion, a good film with great leads, unfortunately the ending doesn't match the rest of the film in quality. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Wealthy lawyer Robert Montgomery (as David Smith) and beautiful Carole Lombard (as Ann "Annie" Krausheimer) frequently battle, but are nonetheless happily married. Then, due to some mistake concerning county ordinances, they are informed their marriage wasn't legal. Initially, this is taken as a chance to become newlyweds again - but misunderstandings lead to bickering and the couple wonder if they should really be "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". Ms. Lombard dates his law partner Gene Raymond (Jefferson "Jeff" Custer) and Mr. Montgomery jealously follows them to Lake Placid...While not listed as a re-make of anything in particular, this is an old plot. With Lombard and Montgomery co-starring, you would expect much more. Having Alfred Hitchcock direct Montgomery giving himself a nosebleed wasn't exactly good comedy. Betty Compson (as Gertie) has a funny cameo, though, and the "crossed ski" end clicks. Thankfully, Mr. Hitchcock decided to concentrate on suspense thrillers. This was Lombard's penultimate performance; she manages to stay above the material here, and gets another fine film done before leaving this world in a plane crash.***** Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1/31/41) Alfred Hitchcock ~ Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery, Gene Raymond, Betty Compson