Over the Moon is a 1939 British Technicolor comedy film directed by Thornton Freeland and starring Merle Oberon, Rex Harrison, Ursula Jeans and Herbert Lomas. It was written by Anthony Pelissier, Alec Coppel and Arthur Wimperis.
Contents
Plot
Jane Benson falls for local Yorkshire doctor Freddie Jarvis. Freddie sells his practice to avoid spending their married life in Yorkshire. Before they can leave, Jane suddenly inherits £18,000,000. Eager to experience high society, she hires two professional hostesses to guide her, leaving Freddie embarrassed at becoming "Mr. Jane Benson." During their separation, Jane is pursued by two fortune hunters and an even wealthier suitor, while Freddie takes a position at an elite sanatorium. Eventually, the estranged lovers reunite.
Cast
Merle Oberon as Jane Benson
Rex Harrison as Dr. Freddie Jarvis
Ursula Jeans as Millie
Robert Douglas as John Flight (credited as playing The Unknown Man)
Louis Borel as Pietro (credited as Louis Borrell)
Zena Dare as Julie
Peter Haddon as Lord Petcliffe
David Tree as journalist
Mackenzie Ward as Guy
Elisabeth Welch as cabaret singer
Carl Jaffe as Michel
Herbert Lomas as Ladbrooke
Wilfred Shine as Frude
Gerald Nodin as Cartwright
Evelyn Ankers as patient (uncredited)
Ethel Griffies as Miss Bates (uncredited)
Wilfrid Hyde-White as Dwight, the sanitarium spokesman (uncredited)
Andreas Malandrinos as father on train (uncredited)
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This slight and frothy story is put over with lavish trimmings and sophisticated dialogue. A real problem is presented, but no attempt is made to solve it, since the conventional happy ending simply leaves it in the air. ... Merle Oberon makes a gay and charming heroine. She is given few opportunities for acting. Rex Harrison strolls through the part of Freddie pleasantly and placidly, and bears no resemblance whatever to a country doctor. The parts of the young philanderers and the two women who sponge on Jane are over-drawn, and are caricatures rather than characters."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Lavishly mounted romantic comedy, photographed in Technicolor, depicting a sweet young thing's swift journey from comparative poverty to colossal affluence. There is very little backbone to the story and less point, but as a fashion parade and spectacular itinerary of society show places at home and abroad the picture has feminine appeal. In a word, it does nothing, with elegance if not with wit."
Variety wrote: "An admirable cast, good photography, clever character types and an all-round elaborate production are found in Over the Moon. Story is conventional but exceptionally well worked out via witty dialog, though the popular-priced patron may find it a little above his head. Smartly directed, it could stand cutting in some spots, however "