Penny Serenade (1941) is a film melodrama starring Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Beulah Bondi, and Edgar Buchanan. It was directed by George Stevens and written by Martha Cheavens and Morrie Ryskind. It depicts the story of a loving couple who must overcome adversity to keep their marriage and raise a child. Cary Grant was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.

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Plot summary

Roger (Cary Grant) and Julie Adams (Irene Dunne) suffer a tragedy when she miscarries in an earthquake during their trip to Japan. They are told that she cannot have children. They request to adopt a two-year old boy, but ultimately adopt a much younger girl. They struggle to make ends meet and to retain their parental rights when Roger loses his job. When the little girl dies suddenly, the emotional strain threatens to destroy their marriage. Songs mark episodes in the action from records from their collection -- the title refers to a song of the same name. In the end, they are offered the opportunity to adopt a little boy who matches their original request, miraculously saving their marriage.

Cast

Irene Dunne ... Julie Gardiner Adams
Cary Grant ... Roger Adams
Beulah Bondi ... Miss Oliver
Edgar Buchanan ... Applejack Carney
Ann Doran ... Dotty 'Dot'
Eva Lee Kuney ... Trina (at the Age of 6 Years)
Leonard Willey ... Doctor Hartley
Wallis Clark ... Judge
Walter Soderling ... Billings
Baby Jane Biffle ... Trina (at the Age of 1 Year) (billed as Baby Biffle)

Copyright status

Although the film was released by Columbia Pictures, George Stevens' production firm owned the copyright of Penny Serenade at that time. In 1968, the film went into the public domain. ^[1]

Reception

On the film review website Rotten Tomatoes, Penny Serenade receives a "Fresh" rating with 93% (15 of 16) of its T-meter critics reviewed the film positively. ^[2]

See also

• List of films in the public domain

References

1. Penny Serenade. New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-08-13.
2. Penny Serenade. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved on 2008-08-13.