Despite many of the other reviews, I find this film (along with her "A Woman Rebels"), one of the best of the films that originally did poorly at the box office and contributed Hepburn's career downturn in the late 1930's.It IS a precious little comedy of errors, but it's also quite a hoot. Besides Hepburn and Fay Bainter's good performances, there's amusing supporting performances from Cora Witherspoon, Eric Blore, and especially from Estelle Winwood, who made so few films during this era, despite being a seasoned stage actress. Her part is very funny and she plays it beautifully.Give this film another viewing and you'll enjoy it. The only real issue I have with the film is (in typical 1930's/1940's fashion), Katharine Hepburn's makeup after 10 years is not much different from what she looked like at the start of the film.

This RKO Radio Picture directed by George Stevens isn't mentioned a lot, but is a nice little romantic comedy evocative of the mid '30s. The Throssel sisters Phoebe(Katherine Hepburn)and Susan(Fay Bainter)are both smitten with the dashing Dr. Valentine Brown(Franchot Tone). The sisters are crushed when he enlists in the British Army and claims he is leaving no sweetheart behind. Two nosy neighbor spinsters on Quality Street(Cora Witherspoon and Estelle Winwood)keep reminding Phoebe and Susan that Dr. Brown will return someday from the war, but who will he possibly propose to. After ten years, the still stunning Brown comes marching home and proudly appears at the Throssel house. When it is Miss Phoebe that Brown invites to the Homecoming Ball, he hardly recognizes her. Feeling humiliated Phoebe changes her hair style and buys a new gown and passes herself off as her niece. What effect will this have on the returning soldier, let alone the nosy neighbors? Also in the cast: Helena Grant, Eric Blore and Joan Fontaine.

Hard to believe that this film, produced by the great Pandro Berman, directed by the formidable George Stevens & acted by a cast of A-list talent, led by Katharine Hepburn & Franchot Tone could turn out so poorly.I think a lot of the fault lies in the way the movie was photographed. It's extremely stagy. As if the movie were being acted on a stage and simply shot.Also, too much of the movie takes place in one house set. When the movie finally shifts locales it's SUCH a welcome relief. There are even some genuine outside shots that breathe fresh air into the movie. Unfortunately, they pass all to quickly and soon enough where back in that darn house room set! Of course, the plot is rather silly made even more so by the fact that the "ten years older" version of Hepburn basically looks as if they simply didn't put any makeup on her. So when her character simply puts on a pretty dress, does her hair & puts on some makeup to transform her into her "niece" and Franchot Tone actually buys this, well of course it's ridiculous. But I suppose that's a classic Shakespearean device so who am I to quibble.At least the movie DOES get better once Hepburn has to play both herself & her niece.Still, the movie is ultimately forgettable.I think small children might like it actually due to it's very simplistic and almost childish presentation.Oh and poor Estelle Winwood really does look like Marty Feldman (Igor from 1974's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN).

I wasn't expecting much but i'm glad i watched it on turner classic movies. Katharine hepburn is great as usual and george stevens is a good director. I think this is better than the overrated philadelphia story. I also think that is better than most of the films she made with spencer tracy.