Directed by:
Mitchell LeisenScreenplay:
James Edward GrantCinematography:
Ted TetzlaffComposer:
W. Franke HarlingCast:
Marlene Dietrich, Fred MacMurray, Aline MacMahon, Stanley Ridges, Arline Judge, Marietta Canty, Harvey Stephens, Neil Hamilton, Sterling Holloway (more)Plots(1)
Mitchell Leisen directed this romantic comedy with melodramatic overtones, starring Marlene Dietrich in a sympathetic role as famed stage star Elizabeth Madden. Elizabeth longs for motherhood but has no husband. Her desire appears to be fulfilled when she finds an abandoned baby, but she doesn't have a clue on how to raise it. She finds divorced pediatrician, Dr. Corey McBain (Fred MacMurray), to help her with the child. Elizabeth names the child after him and makes Corey an offer. Since she's single, she cannot adopt the child. But if Corey would marry her in name only, she could be the adopted mother and Corey could stay in a section of her apartment where she would support his research. Corey agrees to the deal, but it's not too long before Corey and Elizabeth fall in love. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
Typical for this film is its German title Fräulein Mama - the magnificent revue star Liza Madden finds an orphaned child and gives him her entire heart. It's not too hard to believe a woman whose real daughter just celebrated her 18th birthday would long for a toddler again. And that's what it's all about - if you accept the fact that even a mature woman can still be a loving mother despite her profession (whatever it may be), then you’re going to enjoy it. And The Lady Is Willing will reward you handsomely for it. This being a great revue as a reward is a given, and classic subtle Hollywood humor, including perfectly timed dialogue, is also a given.
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