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Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi, Elizabeth Patterson, Willard Robertson ... see more see more... , Sterling Holloway , Paul Guilfoyle , Charles Arnt , John Wray , Thomas W. Ross , Tom Kennedy , Georgia Caine , Virginia Brissac , Spencer Charters , Jean Acker , Ambrose Barker , Brooks Benedict , Chester Clute , Harry Depp , Edmund Elton , Julia Faye , James Flavin , Milt Kibbee , Fuzzy Knight , Kate Lawson , Pat O'Malley , Walter Soderling , Bernard Suss , Julius Tannen , Fred 'Snowflake' Toones , Ruth Warren , George Melford , George Guhl , Galan Galt , Beth Hartman , Martha Mears , John Beck

A romantic comedy drama directed by former art director Mitchell Leisen and based on a skillful Preston Sturges screenplay. Barbara Stanwyck stars as Lee Leander, a New York City shoplifter who is arr... read more read more...ested just before Christmas after trying to filch an expensive piece of jewelry. Her trial delayed until after the holiday, Lee comes to the attention of an assistant district attorney, John Sargent (Fred MacMurray). Although he will be expected to prosecute Lee in a few days, John takes pity on the prisoner, who is from his home state of Indiana. He arranges for her to be released for the holidays and escorts her home, but her mother (Georgia Caine) is not interested in a reunion. So John takes Lee to his own festivities, where Lee is bowled over by the love and affection of the Sargent family, particularly John's mother (Beulah Bondi), who is so unlike her own. Lee and John fall in love, but their return to the Big Apple and Lee's trial loom large over their romance. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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82% liked it

231 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

7 critics

G, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Mitchell Leisen

Release Date: January 19, 1940

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Flixster Reviews (30)

  • rubystevens
    December 24, 2010
    rubystevens
    four years before double indemnity, stanwyck and macmurray made this very different film together. the plot may be a little far fetched but sturges' banter is unmistakable. better than the holiday classic christmas in connecticut imo
  • mjgildea
    December 14, 2009
    mjgildea
    Remember the Night is a good but not great movie. The Preston Sturges-scripted story starts off with his signature madcap qualities but director Mitchell Leisen takes the movie into melodrama country for the last act. In Leisen's defense, that Niagara Falls scene was beautiful. F... read morered MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck are as always, amazing together And of course Beulah Bondi was fantastic to the point where you almost wish she was your mom. Remember the Night is a great watch if you're tired of Christmas movies--there's enough Christmas going on without it getting shoved down your throat.
  • jjnxn
    March 1, 2009
    jjnxn
    The leads elevate a decent script to a superior level.
  • terris85017
    August 14, 2011
    terris85017
    At first I thought the female lead was Irene Dunn--based on appearances only! Qiuckly I realized that this was a very very young Barbra Stanwyck starring opposite Fred MacMurray. Lovelyhome spun tale of a young gal fallen on hard luck & in trouble with the law.....When even NY P... read morerosecuting Attorney John Sargent (Fred MacMurray) finds some heart & posts Ms. Leander (Stanwyck)'s bail bond while her trial for shoplifting is postponed over Christmas vacation, an unusual series of events leads to an ironic twist of fate! These two are thrown together over the Christmas holiday season. MacMurray displays a great deal of heart & taste and is unable to simply throw out Ms. Leander onto the streets while awaiting her continued trial. Instead? MacMurray invites her to travel along with him as he heads back home to Indiana (my home state) to see his family for the holidays. Leander's roots are nearby in Pennsylvania. Wonderful rendition of the beautiful oldie, "On the Banks of the Wabash River,"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eATd7acT-ic&feature=related

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
November 12, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Stanwyck turns in a fine performance. MacMurray is impressive as the serious-minded prosecutor, but loosens up for the comedy stretches. Full Review

Frank S. Nugent
January 28, 2006
Frank S. Nugent, New York Times

Perhaps this is a bit too early in the season to be talking of the best pictures of 1940; it is not too early to say that Paramount's nomination is worth considering. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The loose, graceful script is by Preston Sturges (one of his last before he turned to directing), and it partakes of a softness and nostalgia that seldom surfaced in his own films. Full Review

November 12, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

You'd have to be a grump not to like this funny, sentimental blend of pathos, drama and zaniness. Full Review

Ken Hanke
August 29, 2006
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

An astonishing, moving film.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Playing superbly on the personae of his leads, Leisen creates a movie of warmth and immense style, which never quite trips over into excessive sentimentality. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 4, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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Remember the Night Trivia

  • What actress said this quote in a 2006 movie?: "Everyone remembers what happened that night and what it meant for this country. But I will always remember the man and what he meant to me."   Answer »
  • Who am I? I lost my car during a night out that I don't remember, I was just married but fought on my honeymoon, i could change the past in butterfly effect and loved that 70's show  Answer »
  • What movie is this tagline from: It was the last day of school of 1976. It's a night they would never forget.....if they could remember?  Answer »
  • In the film "Time Bandits",the footage of the Titanic sinking is actually footage from which other film?  Answer »
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