The Model And The Marriage Broker (1951)

A marriage broker (Thelma Ritter) struggling to get out of debt takes a young model (Jeanne Crain) under her wing and unbeknownst to her, tries to set her up with a radiologic technologist (Scott Brady). This deception causes problems all around. Although she gets above the title billing all to herself, it's not Crain but the below the title third billed Ritter that is the focus of the film. I'll be upfront and confess I'm not a big fan of Ritter's "Here comes another wisecrack" persona that everyone seems to love. But this a role that keeps Ritter's quips to a minimum and allows her to show off her acting range and lets us see her vulnerability and loneliness. As directed by George Cukor, it's a perfectly charming comedy and the adjective that comes to mind is heartwarming. Crain is very good too (this is one of her best performances) but the rugged Brady seems a bit out of his element in romantic comedy. Cyril J. Mockridge is credited as the film's composer but it sounds suspiciously like the score Alfred Newman would do 4 years later for THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH. With Zero Mostel, Michael O'Shea, Nancy Kulp, Jay C. Flippen and Helen Ford.