It Had to Be You (1947) Reviews

• To wed or not to wed, that is the question

  lora642001-07-07

  Life holds much promise as Victoria (Ginger Rogers) stands beautifully gowned in her wedding dress next to her chosen mate for the big moment of saying "I do." But to her dismay the words just never do come out and she runs off down the aisle leaving mayhem behind her. This disaster occurs three times, a year apart, in the end leaving her and everyone else exasperated. Enter prospective groom No. 4 named Oliver and she's determined to see it through this time no matter what. However, Fate steps in with a most peculiar fantasy figure (of her imagination it seems) she names George (Cornel Wilde), who creates compromising situations in her life yet gradually points the way out for her bewilderment. When she recalls an old sweetheart from childhood days, Johnny, who is now a fireman (also played by Cornel Wilde), she realizes he's the one for her but there are many tangled threads to set aright. The beginning of the movie is amusing but picks up momentum as it progresses and becomes downright hilarious. I found it very funny where Victoria bursts out in confusion, "But I'm going to marry Oliver," (or words to that effect) as if trying to convince herself. It reminds me of that saying, "The heart has reasons that reason does not understand." It's an enjoyable movie with a surprising twist to the ending. I too wish the video was available; was lucky to see it on tv.

• A daffy delight

  jjnxn-12013-09-26

  Sweet comedy that can best be described as daffy. Ginger hadn't yet slipped into her grand lady mode and is a dizzy delight with an amazing wardrobe, the wedding dress with shimmering halo is something to behold! She's also at the peak of her personal beauty and looks stunning throughout, save one scene where she wears one of the ugliest hats ever. Cornel Wilde was always an agile, agreeable comedian and matches well with Ginger, handling his dual role with aplomb. Spring Byington and especially Percy Waram are delightful as the exasperated parents of the indecisive Miss Rogers. A minor comedy but anyone who enjoyed The Major and the Minor will like this.

• Movie was great and I wish it was available on video!!!!

  v4aholm1999-12-26

  This was a great movie and was a lot of fun. Ginger Rogers was fantastic as usual and Cornel Wilde was a hunk!. I would like them to make this film available on video. I want to add it to my collection. If only the movie stations would play these classics more often!

• Destiny, Fate and Fantasy - this is a great chick-flick!

  PudgyPandaMan2008-07-26

  Warning to guys - you will probably hate this movie. But I think most women, judging from the user comments, will love it. This is a quintessential chick flick. It shouldn't be taken too seriously as it is a fantasy piece. You will have to suspend your sense of reality to enjoy this. But that's the point. At the heart of this story is the idea that we all have one true love we are destined to be with. Call it Fate, Destiny, or even God-ordained - but it's the notion that forces will conspire to put us in touch with our one and only soul-mate. This movie reminds me of another one of my favorite contemporary movies, Serendipity(2001), in the sense of being destined to find our soul-mate (although it is not a fantasy piece). I think guys probably find the fantasy, imaginary friend notion of IHTBY a little too corny for their tastes. But if you like a good, cheesy romance story, then you should like this picture. I've notice several reviewers criticize Rogers for her little girl, squeaky voice. But I think in this role, it enhances the story. If you look at it from the idea that she is like a little girl who has never really grown up - but is somewhat frozen in time to back when she was 6 years old, when she first meets her "soul-mate". I know this is a stretch, but that is how I interpreted it and it worked for me. I love the sets and costumes in this movie. It makes for a visual feast. Rogers' gowns are unbelievably gorgeous, especially the wedding gown at the very end. But even her dressing gowns were quite elaborate, adding to the notion of just how wealthy her family is. I find it hard to believe women actually wore these - they look incredibly uncomfortable! If the beautiful mansion set with the incredible staircase looks familiar, you may recognize it from Holiday (1938), the George Cukor film starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. That staircase is just amazing - the most beautiful I have ever seen. There is one thing I did find hard to swallow, and I didn't notice it until Rogers and Wilde are in the car and he finally decides to marry her. How did he not notice the huge, honking diamond engagement ring on her finger and not know she was already engaged? Also, look closely at Wilde's left ring finger in this scene as well. He looks like he is wearing a ring on that finger that is being disguised so as to not be noticeable. What is that about?

• Cast rises above story

  HallmarkMovieBuff2008-04-21

  The ever-endearing Ginger Rogers plays a socialite sculptress who rejects one suitor after another until she realizes that she's always been in love with a boy with whom she played kissing games at a childhood party, a boy who's grown up to become a fireman. She comes to this realization as the boy of her dreams literally materializes from one of her dreams as an adult dressed in the Indian costume he wore at the party. Of course, the plot is much more convoluted than I describe, but that's the gist. Cornell Wilde does well in the dual role of the annoying and persistent Indian "George" and the likable but reluctant fireman "Johnny". How Rogers' "Victoria" comes to find her fireman, shed her Indian, and dump her latest fiancé "Oliver" (Ron Randell) constitutes roughly the second half of the film. Wilde's "Indian" makes the going in the first half a bit tedious due to its incredibility. Nevertheless, it all concludes quite satisfactorily, as movies of this genre and time are wont to do. One should mention that all supporting players do just as well in their roles as the leads, which is quite a feat, given the unbelievable material with which they had to work.