Penny Serenade

The final pairing of Cary and Irene and follows their relationship through records from when they met until the present.

Irene plays Julie and is on her way out. She and hubby Roger are splitting. But what is the harm in listening to some records first?

The story goes back in time where Roger (Grant)  spots Julie in the record shop. He gets her attention and buys tons of records. On the walk home she learns Roger doesn't even have a record player! The romance begins.

During their courting, we get the sense that Julie wants to shack up and pop out some kids, while Roger is not as keen about the idea. Roger is a publisher and on New Years Eve breaks the news to Julie that he is going on assignment in Japan! Just when Julie thinks they are through, Roger asks her to marry him.

While in Japan, the newlyweds get pregnant. Things are swell until an earthquake hits and Julie looses the baby, and learns she may never have one again. I must say, for 1941, the earthquake scene is pretty well done!

They return to the states and Julie is depressed. Roger and her move into a new apartment which has a publishing room downstairs. Buddy Applejack joins the fun. The paper isn't doing so well but they decided to adopt as the still want a child.

After tons of red tape they finally get a little girl and are beyond the moon. Applejack helps out.

They get a one year trial with the little one and are worried they can't provide for her. The orphanage lady is hard on them and after a year they almost loose her because they are too poor. Time goes by and everyone is happy. Daughter Trina grows up well and even participates in a Christmas play.

But the good times don't last forever as Trina dies from an illness. Roger and Julie are so devastated they don't even talk any more. The orphanage lady is sad too.

We are taken back to the present and Roger and Julie are about to call it quits, when just in time, the phone rings. It's the orphanage calling with another child! Still grieving from their loss, the couple must decide if they want to start all over again and if they can be happy.

Irene said this was her favorite film because it reminded her so much of her own adopted daughter Mary with husband Francis Griffin. Cary earned an Oscar nomination in part from a scene where he begs the judge to let them be parents. They never made another film again, partly due to top billing, where both parties wanted to be first. Cary was quoted as saying, "It's ladies first in lifeboats, but not in movies, I'm afraid."