In honor of Valentine's Day, I first direct you to our February movie page of course, where you'll find ten of my favorite romances for the occasion, but today I'm also putting out a bonus choice, and that's the underrated musical from 1941 starring James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland. This is a pure romantic comedy, which was not really the typical choice for either of the stars (he was known for gangster movies, while she was most often in period swashbucklers at this point), but it worked out perfectly, because they're both much funnier and more relaxed than you would ever see them in anything else. Set in the 1890's (can you believe there was once a time where nostalgia for that era was in vogue?) Cagney is a wannabe dentist in love with a rich, snobby society girl (Rita Hayworth), and only just friends with her less sophisticated pal (de Havilland). But of course, Olivia is really the girl for him all along, and the two have sensational chemistry in their scenes together as they work out a plan to falsely "settle" for each other while he keeps trying to land Hayworth. It all works out as it should, but it's a lovely, breezy and surprisingly funny romantic comedy that you should check out on this February 14th. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Original 1941 Trailer:
