Review of The First Hundred Years

Quite improbable stage-style drama about a very happily married couple who separate over - well, the wife, a modern businesswoman who is still using her maiden name even after marriage, just won't give up her successful career as a theatrical agent to move to New Bedford with her hubby who has a new $15,000 a year job designing yachts. Hubby David (played by Robert Montgomery) is just SO tired of being a "kept man" by his wife Lynn (Virginia Bruce), all he really wants is to take care of *her* for a change (and her to take care of his house while he is off at work). She won't budge - neither will he. So - two lawyers are hired, David moves into the yacht club before getting his new digs in New Bedford, and the separation begins. Well, well - this ultra quick split seems all pretty absurd - it seems to me that such a happy couple would, in reality, try to make a few more compromises before separating so easily. We get a quick resolution to their problem in the end, which comes about the old-fashioned way - a baby.

This film didn't really catch me, the plot being fairly unbelievable and a bit boring too. But I do like Robert Montgomery quite a lot - and he, as usual, is engaging in this role. Plus, there are some really good performances here by a few character actors which does help in pepping up the film just a bit - including Warren William, always enjoyable, as head of the theatrical agency, and Harry Davenport as daffy, aging old Uncle Dawson, stopping by to visit the "happy young couple" on his way for a trip around the world.