My Reputation (1946)

A recent widow (Barbara Stanwyck) finds herself the subject of small minded gossip among her social set when she begins dating an army officer (George Brent) she met on a skiing vacation. She doesn't care but pressure from her conventional mother (Lucile Watson) and impressionable two sons (Scotty Beckett, Bobby Cooper) threaten to destroy the budding romance. Based on the novel INSTRUCT MY SORROWS by Clare Jaynes and directed by Curtis Bernhardt (A STOLEN LIFE). The film bears some similarity to Sirk's ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS but without the irony, insight or dazzling visuals. Still, it's an example of solid studio film making from the factories of "Golden Age" Hollywood and Stanwyck is able to deliver a sensitive, well rounded performance. I've always felt George Brent got a bum rap as an actor. While not a particularly strong actor, he played well opposite the big female stars of the day, letting them dominate while providing a suitable masculine presence. Stanwyck here as well as Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Joan Fontaine, Ginger Rogers, Kay Francis and Hedy Lamarr to name a few. The film was very popular and turned a modest profit for Warners. With Eve Arden, Warner Anderson, Esther Dale and Cecil Cunningham.