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| Director: George Stevens
Actors: Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Beulah Bondi, Edgar Buchanan, Ann Doran
Studio: Republic Pictures
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $0.45
You Save: $9.53 (95%)
New (10) Used (11) Collectible (5) from $0.01
Rating:  50 reviews
Sales Rank: 17620
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Special Edition, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 119 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0782006795
UPC: 017153539936
EAN: 9780782006797
ASIN: 0782006795
Theatrical Release Date: April 24, 1941
Release Date: September 18, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 50
 An Old Phonograph April 22, 2005
Bobby Underwood (Bakersfield, California United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
George Stevens framed this entire film using flasbacks, an old phonograph playing the songs from various stages in the lives of two people who fall in love and are nearly torn apart by tragedy. The screenplay of Morrie Ryskind based on a story by Martha Cheavens is sentimental and heartwrenching. Cary Grant and Irene Dunne make it all seem real and director Stevens gives the film a romantic glow which makes this one of the most fondly remembered films of the 1940's.
The story opens as Julie (Dunne) is getting ready to leave Roger (Grant) because of the pain caused by a tragedy in their lives he can not talk about so that they can begin to heal. She laments that they simply don't need each other anymore. When she finds an old stack of records she begins to trace the various stages of their love through the memories recalled by each song.
Roger sees Julie through the window of the record store where she works, and though he doesn't have a phonograph player, he ends up buying a big package of songs just so he can spend time with her. He pretends he is going her way after work and it isn't long before she becomes "his funny little redhead." There are some wonderful scenes like Julie and Roger sitting in a cabana by the beach reading fortune cookies which gives the story a very romantic atmosphere.
When Roger, who is a reporter, has a chance to go to Tokyo for a few years, the two get married and have a truncated honeymoon on a train which results in them becoming prospective parents. But an earthquake takes their happiness away and prevents them from having another child. Only when Roger gets an inheritance do they move back to the states and consider adoption while he starts the small town paper he has always dreamed of. What follows is warm, sweet and heartbreaking, and will result in Julie standing at the phonograph as she recalls their lives together before leaving.
Whether their love and marriage can be saved is only resolved in the last few moments of this beautiful film. Edgar Buchanan as Apple Jack is absolutely wonderful as he lends both support and humor to this true screen classic. Beulah Bondi is also memorable as the kind Miss Oliver, going out of her way to create a family for two people who love each other. A warm and sentimental film every film lover needs to own.
A tearjerker in the best sense of the word March 2, 2006
Ivy Lin (NY NY)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Cary Grant and Irene Dunne were so perfectly cast as shallow, spoiled, rich husband and wife in both "The Awful Truth" and "My Favorite Wife" that it was a total surprise to see them here in absolutely serious roles.
"Penny Serenade" is a somewhat slow-moving drama about Roger and Julie Adams (Grant and Dunne). s the movie starts, Julie is getting read to leave Roger. The stresses have broken their marriage, and she sees a stack of old records. She starts playing them, and we see how they fell in love, got married, and so on. Many people might find Penny Serenade "boring" because there's nothing remarkable about the Adamses -- they're just two nice people, who struggle with infertility. They adopt a little girl named Trina, but they still have to face unemployment, and finally a terrible tragedy. As this movie was made in 1941 (still in the Great Depression) I'm sure many people could identify with Julie and Roger as they struggle to stay solvent and keep their family together.
The greatest things about Penny Serenade are the performances of Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. I'm so used to seeing Cary Grant as a dashing, devil-may-care leading man, but he is totally believable as an Everyman. Grant's speech to the judge about keeping their adopted daughter despite financial difficulties is sure to put a lump in your throat. I'm so used to seeing Grant being sarcastic and obnoxious, but this movie shows his emotional range as an actor. He's such a loving father that when tragedy strikes it's heartbreaking. Irene Dunne is also wonderful -- she sheds her glamour, and really seems to become a loving mother and struggling wife. Dunne adopted a daughter in real life, and for this reason this was her favorite film. Edgar Buchanan really adds to this domestic drama as the family friend Applejack. Despite the fact that this movie was made in Hollywood, there's nothing "Hollywood" about Penny Serenade. It's a touching slice of life about ordinary Americans, and for my money, it's not as cloying as It's a Wonderful Life either (although I do love It's a Wonderful Life).
George Stevens would go on to make bigger, more glamorous pictures (like "A Place in the Sun") but Penny Serenade is a real tearjerker, in the best sense of the word.
As for the transfer, ok, the print isnt the best, but I didn't find it intolerable at all. Don't let the negative reviews prevent you from getting this lovely, touching film.
 Penny Serenade March 10, 2007
Linda R. Wilson (Gig Harbor, Wa.)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I expected the movie to have a "rough" appearance. After all it is a very old film. The issue I have is that there is a scene missing. It happens to be what I consider the best part of the film. It is when Cary Grant's character is forced to appear before the judge with the little girl to plead his case on gaining legal custody of the child. The scene begins with him coming into the court chambers. The judge discovers that Grant's character is unemployed then turns to tell the child welfare advocate played by Beulah Bondi, that the matter should not have even been presented before the judge. The next scene I see is Cary Grant's character carrying the child up the stairs in the apartment to his wife played by Irene Dunne to inform her that the child is theirs because the judge allowed them to legally adopt her. The part that is missing(based on a previous viewing of the film on T.V.) is when Grant tearfully pleads with the judge to allow the couple to retain custody to adopt the child. I felt it was one of the finest performances Cary Grant ever did in any movie and I was very dissappointed to find it missing in this Dvd. Hence the reason for the 3 stars. I love the movie, it is a shame that that scene has been omited for whatever reason.
A Charming Treasure of a Classic! July 7, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Heartmelting! Charming Cary Grant & the endearing Irene Dunne are the perfect match in this bittersweet drama about a man & woman who fall in love, get married and realize they can't have children. The idea of adoption is rejected by Grant who has his mind made up...well almost! The story has alot of good humor and sentimentality, as well as it's heartwrenching moments. You'll be so caught up, there won't be a dry eye in the place by the time it's over! One of my personal favorites.
Music Affects Us All May 28, 2005
Samantha Kelley (USA)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is an excellent film about a man and a woman who fall in love and the hardships they face. On the surface, it is a very cliche story but the actors and the music tremendously change this mediocre story into a masterpiece.
The wonderful thing about music is how it affects people. This film is narrated by penny records that illustrate a certain period of time for the characters. Each is significant to the section it belongs to. The songs range from the romantic, "You Were Meant for Me" to the traditional "Happy Birthday." However, each greatly impact the scenes.
Cary Grant is fabulous in this movie as a man who is not the wisest when it comes to finance but genuinely loves the people in his life. Irene Dunne is also well suited for her role; her emotions show indelibly on her face.
Overall, the simple cliche plot is elaborated on by amazing use of music and acting. These elements have turned this film into a true classic.
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