Susan and God

Plot

Susan (Joan Crawford), a flighty society matron, returns from Europe earlier than expected waxing enthusiastic about a new religious movement. She is estranged from her intelligent and sensitive husband, Barrie (Fredric March) – who has been driven to drink by his wife's insensitivity – and she has neglected her introverted and maladjusted daughter, Blossom (Rita Quigley). Barrie tries to meet her boat as it arrives in New York City, but she avoids him and absconds to the country home of her friend, Irene Burroughs (Rose Hobart).

While at the house, her fervor and sermonizing alienates friends "Hutchie" and Leonora (Nigel Bruce and Rita Hayworth) by insisting Leonora leave her elderly husband and return to the stage. Susan also insults Irene by telling her that she's unsuited for her lover, Mike (Bruce Cabot). While they all blow off Susan's musings, it sticks with them, and Barrie comes to the house to beg for forgiveness. He asks her to give him another chance for the sake of their daughter Blossom, and offers to grant finally Susan the divorce she seeks if he takes another drink. Susan consents and agrees to spend the summer with the family, thus making Blossom very happy. At first, Barrie is taken in by Susan's new passion, believing it is a sign of maturity, but he suffers disappointment when he realizes it is simply another manifestation of her shallowness. Gradually, Susan begins to understand the pain she has caused her family and determines to put her own house in order before meddling in the lives of others.

Production

The film Susan and God was based on Rachel Crothers' play Susan and God, which premiered in Princeton, New Jersey before opening on Broadway on October 7, 1937 at the Plymouth Theatre. The original run was a production directed by John Golden and designed by Jo Mielziner, starring Gertrude Lawrence and ran for 288 performances. MGM reportedly paid $75,000 (USD) for the rights to the play. Crothers' play was reportedly inspired by a real-life religious movement of the day, Dr. Frank Buchman's Oxford Group of the 1930s.

It was intended as a vehicle for Norma Shearer, but the star refused to play the role of a mother with a teenage daughter. Greer Garson was also considered for the role before it went to Joan Crawford.

Rita Hayworth was loaned to MGM for this film by her studio, Columbia Pictures. This was also Fredric March's return to film after a year and a half's absence appearing on the stage.

Reception

Variety noted, "Joan Crawford provides a strong portrayal of Susan ... George Cukor's direction highlights the characterizations he unfolds." Howard Barnes in the New York Herald Tribune commented, "[Crawford] is not entirely successful in blending silliness with romantic power."

Although well reviewed the movie failed to make a return on its budget – according to MGM records it made $817,000 in the US and Canada and $279,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $433,000.

DVD release

Susan and God was released on Region 1 DVD on April 6, 2010 from the online Warner Bros. Archive Collection.