Last week, the long-lost RAFTER ROMANCE was shown for the first time on TV. This week, the long-lost remake by the same studio which was made just four years later was shown as well (LIVING ON LOVE). As a result, I had a rare opportunity to see the original and its remake just days apart. By the way, the remaking of films was very common in this era (especially by RKO and Warner Brothers) and often the films were remade as few as two or three years later! While the basic plot of RAFTER ROMANCE was intact, the remake was a pretty sorry film--offering no advantages over the original--NONE. The performances by all the leads were simply better in the 1933 film. Norman Foster and Ginger Rogers were the leads in 1933 and James Dunn and Whitney Bourne (who the heck was THIS?) were the leads in 1937--definite steps down in the acting and charm departments--especially since Ms. Bourne seemed really cruel at times in the film (like when she sold the artist's paintings). Plus, the original charming and cute landlord, George Sidney, was replaced by a comparatively dull guy in the remake. Because of these changes, the magic and sweet nature of the film was mostly gone. Still, it was watchable, but I strongly advise you to seek out RAFTER ROMANCE instead--I just can't imagine anyone preferring this remake.
Review of Living on Love
