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The editor of "Home Life," a 'women's magazine', Linda Gilman (Bette Davis), reunites with an old flame, Carey Jackson (Robert Montgomery), a foreign correspondent who's accepted a job writing for the magazine. Three years have passed since Jackson ran out on Gilman & they haven't communicated with each other since. Now Jackson is working for Gilman as they travel with her staff to cover an all-American wedding in Indiana between the Brinkers (Paula Winthrop played by Fay Bainter; Barbara 'Boo' Brinker played by Betty Lynn; Mr. Whitman Brinker played by Tom Tully; Jeanne Brinker played by Barbara Bates). This is a type of screw-ball comedy from the late 1940's that offered end-of WWII audiences light-hearted distraction from deadly serious problems. The social & family roles of women had changed since women entered the work force & liked it. So this film is yet another of Bette Davis' that characterizes a woman who'd become career-successful: the executive of a magazine. Montgomery characterizes a typical man's sarcastically hostile response. He's a guy who's going to go after her for being in a "man's" role. Don't miss that point! Thus, Davis & Montgomery banter back & forth quite effectively over the recent subversion of manly power-over women. Bette Davis had great comedic timing & enjoyed doing comedies, even though she didn't get as many chances to do them as she did heavier dramas. From her earliest films, like "Ex-Lady," Davis plays a liberated woman who's ahead of her era in a comedy. Later, Davis shows her comedic talent in, "It's Love I'm After," "The Man Who Came to Dinner," & "The Bride Came C.O.D.." None of these comedies were recognized as her best films by officious awards committees; however, the public still enjoys them. Perhaps films with this gender-wars theme have even more significant historical value in the 21st century than they did during the mid-20th. During "June Bride," Davis appears quite attractive & intelligent, sophisticated & at the top of her performance talent. What is most obvious is how Bette Davis deliberately underplays her role as a steely executive. She exerts power in an atypical style for an actor known best for "chewing the scenery." Robert Montgomery is good at being a sarcastic poor sport. The round-a-bouts that Davis & he seem to enjoy are evenly matched. Credit Davis for her restraint to make that happen, because no man but Claude Rains could ever match Davis' acting ability on screen. Montgomery isn't known as a 'great' actor, so this is yet another film during which Davis steps back to make a picture work, instead of stepping forward to make her own ability and fame stick too far out. Don't be disappointed with the lack of equality between women & men; instead, remember that this film is a reflection of an era, depicts well a time in history when women were on the brink of breaking through the silly notion of separate spheres--women at home & men at work (and everywhere else men wanted to be!). What is especially fun about "June Bride" is the talent of the actors to deliver a timely, well-crafted script. Davis wouldn't have even considered this role, at this height of her acting career, had the script not been a stunner. It's quick with comical quips~Read full review
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