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Vivacious Lady

Play trailer Poster for Vivacious Lady 1938 1h 30m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Peter is a professor who gets hitched to a singer named Francey on a whim while visiting New York City. But when Peter returns home, he is less than eager to introduce his new bride to his domineering father, whom he knows will not approve. He also has to contend with his jealous former fiancée. As Peter tries to keep his married status a secret, a number of amusing missteps happen along the way.

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Nov 13, 2007
Vivacious Lady is entertainment of the highest order and broadest appeal. Go to Full Review Time Out Jan 26, 2006
Rogers is the accomplished centrepiece of the film, slightly atypical as the soft-focus romantic heroine, but with welcome eruptions of her tough and shrewd persona throughout. Go to Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader Jan 1, 2000
Vintage George Stevens comedy, dating from the brief period in which his deliberate style was a deepening virtue, stopping short of the ossification that cursed his later work. Go to Full Review Matt Weinstock Screen Slate Aug 14, 2026
The movie is full of wonderful bits of business, but they’re mostly physical or gestural, the jokes of teenagers who haven’t slept all night and are getting a little punchy. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jul 18, 2020
7/10
This romantic comedy by George Stevens makes me irresistible. When I witness the wonderful chemistry between James Stewart and the beautiful Ginger Rogers, I have no time for anything other than the story of the protagonists. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine Apr 1, 2019
The cast of Vivacious Lady is considerably better than its story. In fact, the acting is so good that it almost lifts a rather farfetched bedroom farce into grade A comedy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kalissa H @kali_416 Aug 5, 2025 So funny and so romantic. A peak into the lives of women in stem in the 30s (constant wolf whistles) and a wife of a university president. Loved Peter’s mother and her speech. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug Jul 23, 2025 I believe this film deserves to be one of the classic examples of 1930s screwball comedies. Genuinely funny. See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life May 20, 2025 An hilarious romcom with awesome performances. Tim Treakle See more Chris r @RT38876782 Oct 13, 2024 Just saw this movie in 35mm at film forum, it was surprisingly funny as hell and tender at points. Very good screwball comedy/ romance. I would recommend it to anyone. Had everyone in the theater laughing and enjoying themselves. It’s a good time best way I can describe the film. See more Steve D @RT35616104 May 18, 2023 Thin on story but cute. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Oct 24, 2022 Ginger Roger's is the real star here as Jimmy Stewart squirms his way through another film. Some of the funniest scenes are with daughter and mother in law chatting as well as with the love rival. Easy light hearted and simple viewing. See more Read all reviews
Vivacious Lady

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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George Stevens

Director

Ginger Rogers

Francey

James Stewart

Prof. Peter Morgan Jr.

James Ellison

Keith Morgan

Charles Coburn

Peter Morgan Sr.

Beulah Bondi

Mrs. Martha Morgan

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Vivacious Lady

Vivacious Lady (1938) Vivacious Lady (1938) Vivacious Lady (1938) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Peter is a professor who gets hitched to a singer named Francey on a whim while visiting New York City. But when Peter returns home, he is less than eager to introduce his new bride to his domineering father, whom he knows will not approve. He also has to contend with his jealous former fiancée. As Peter tries to keep his married status a secret, a number of amusing missteps happen along the way.
Director
George Stevens
Producer
George Stevens
Screenwriter
Ernest Pagano, P.J. Wolfson
Production Co
RKO Pictures
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Sep 24, 2013
Runtime
1h 30m
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