‘Penny Serenade’: Strong Emotions in Real Situations

Cary Grant stars in an unusually effective melodrama from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Love is in the air for Roger Adams (Cary Grant) and Julie Gardiner (Irene Dunne), in “Penny Serenade” Columbia Pictures

1941 | NR | 1h 59m | Drama, Romance

I’m normally not a big fan of melodramas. By their very definition, they typically feature overly sensationalized elements in their narratives that are designed to elicit intense emotional responses. While this might appeal to some, I feel as though they can be rather manipulative in arousing viewers’ sympathies.