The Lady Is Willing 1942
"GAY, ROMANTIC COMEDY AT IT'S BREEZIEST, MERRIEST BEST!"
Directed by the sharp-eyed Mitchell Leisen, *The Lady Is Willing (1942)* is a sparkling romantic comedy set against the dazzling backdrop of old New York.
Director: Mitchell Leisen
Cast
Marlene Dietrich
Elizabeth Madden
Fred MacMurray
Corey McBain
Aline MacMahon
Buddy
Stanley Ridges
Kenneth Hanline
Arline Judge
Frances
Roger Clark
Victor
Marietta Canty
Mary Lou
David James
Baby Corey
Ruth Ford
Myrtle
Harvey Stephens
Dr. Golding
Frequently Asked Questions
What is *The Lady Is Willing (1942)* about?
The film follows Elizabeth Madden, a bold and unconventional Broadway performer who brings home an abandoned baby and finds herself in need of a husband to secure custody. She strikes a deal with a kind-hearted doctor, only for their practical marriage to deepen into love—until complications arise with his past.
Who directed *The Lady Is Willing*?
Mitchell Leisen, the acclaimed director behind *Arise, My Love* and *Hold Back the Dawn*, helmed this delightful romantic comedy.
Who stars in *The Lady Is Willing*?
The film features Marlene Dietrich as Elizabeth Madden, Fred MacMurray as Dr. McBain, Aline MacMahon as a sharp-witted confidante, and Stanley Ridges in a key supporting role.
Is *The Lady Is Willing (1942)* worth watching?
With its witty script, strong performances from Dietrich and MacMurray, and a winning blend of romance and comedy, *The Lady Is Willing* stands out as a solid 1940s classic. Its themes of love and compromise remain engaging, making it a hidden gem worth discovering.
How long is *The Lady Is Willing*?
The film runs for 92 minutes, offering a concise and entertaining escape into mid-century romantic comedy.
About The Lady Is Willing (1942) — A vibrant 1940s romantic comedy with Marlene Dietrich and Fred MacMurray
Directed by the sharp-eyed Mitchell Leisen, *The Lady Is Willing (1942)* is a sparkling romantic comedy set against the dazzling backdrop of old New York. Marlene Dietrich shines as Elizabeth Madden, a free-spirited Broadway star whose unplanned detour into motherhood turns her carefully ordered life upside down. To legitimize her sudden role as a single guardian, she proposes a marriage of convenience to unsuspecting doctor Fred MacMurray—only for their arrangement to unexpectedly bloom into something far deeper than either anticipated.
As the whirlwind romance unfolds, the film balances witty banter with heartfelt moments, exploring themes of love, responsibility, and second chances. With Aline MacMahon lending dry wit as Elizabeth's sharp-eyed assistant and Stanley Ridges anchoring the film as a steadying moral compass, this breezy 92-minute gem delivers charm, humor, and a dash of mid-century sophistication.
