A suicidal World War I veteran and an antique dealer, both already married to others, embark on a love affair.A suicidal World War I veteran and an antique dealer, both already married to others, embark on a love affair.A suicidal World War I veteran and an antique dealer, both already married to others, embark on a love affair.
- Moving Man Handling Sarah's Trunks
- (uncredited)
- Organ Grinder
- (uncredited)
- Undetermined Secondary Role
- (uncredited)
- Burford - Gordon's Butler
- (uncredited)
- Hector's Bridge Partner
- (uncredited)
- Dr. Clairbourne
- (uncredited)
- Man Selling French Postcards
- (uncredited)
- Sharpshooter
- (uncredited)
- Man at Dance
- (uncredited)
- Parisian Night Club Patron
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe play, "Behold, We Live", opened in London on 16 August 1932.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Man Selling French Postcards: [scene: a Paris street cafe] Des cartes postales, m'sieur? Des cartes postales, sir?
[Man seated with lady shoos the vendor away]
Man Selling French Postcards: [approaching Gordon and Hector's table] Postal cards, m'sier? *Dirty* postcards?
Hector Stribling: [turning away, disgusted] Uh!
Gordon Evers: Charming.
[taking the cards]
Gordon Evers: Would you like to look at them, Hector?
Hector Stribling: Certainly not!
Gordon Evers: How much are they?
Man Selling French Postcards: Twenty francs.
Gordon Evers: There you are.
Man Selling French Postcards: Merci m'sieur. Merci.
[Gordon tears up the cards, bows to the vendor, and throws the pieces away]
Hector Stribling: Why... why on earth did you do that?
Gordon Evers: Who knows, it may save the soul of some American tourist.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "LOVE AFFAIR - UN GRANDE AMORE (1939) + SE FOSSI LIBERO (1933)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
IF I WERE FREE is a fine example of what could be done with a soap opera plot when given the advantages of excellent acting & good production values. In less expert hands the film could have easily become awkward & mawkish; instead, the viewer is given slightly over an hour of solid entertainment.
Irene Dunne & Clive Brook are first rate as the sensible lovers who enter a relationship with their eyes wide open. Some clever scenes with sophisticated dialogue - going through her childhood books, visiting his favorite old church - makes their interaction a delight.
Considerable contributions are also given by the supporting performers: Henry Stephenson as Brook's jolly legal friend and Vivian Tobin as his pixilated wife are very amusing. Laura Hope Crews as Brook's free spirited mother & Tempe Pigott as Dunne's Cockney housekeeper add their own style of drollery to the proceedings.
Silent film star Nils Asther scores in the small role of Dunne's caddish husband. His celebrity had considerably dimmed with the arrival of talking pictures, but given a decent role this actor could still deliver the goods.
Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Halliwell Hobbes as Brook's butler.
- Ron Oliver
- Feb 13, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Behold, We Live
- Filming locations
- Paris, France(establishing shots, backgrounds)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 6 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1