beyondtheforest Norma Shearer's last film is a breezy romantic comedy directed with precision by Cukor and brought to life by a marvelous cast, including George Sanders and Robert Taylor, all pros in the romantic comedy department. The script is full of amusing observations on the complicated nature of power and pride in relationships. The sharp, witty lines uttered by Taylor and Sanders make for quite a few chuckles, as do the scenes of broad situational comedy, one of which has Taylor dangling off a balcony, and another involves Taylor and Shearer battling viciously one minute and caressing each other the next! Of course, it's all farce and not to be taken seriously, which probably made it seem dated at the time of release, but the theme is compelling and the finished product just plain fun. Shearer, in particular, gives a full-bodied comedic performance and has many funny moments. Never did she look more radiant and glamorous than she does here, ironically her final film, when it is clear she could have continued acting successfully for at least another decade!

jotix100 This is the second attempt to bring Jacques Deval's play to the screen. The first one was a vehicle for Marion Davies and Nils Asther, directed by Robert Z. Leonard. This new version bears George Cukor's signature as the director. The film is interesting for two reasons: it marked the last time its star, Norma Shearer, appeared on a film, and it also has Robert Taylor doing comedy, something he wasn't seen in often."Her Cardboard Lover" is a sophisticated comedy that capitalizes on the strength of its stars. The screen play by Valerie Wyngate has some ups and downs in it that even the great Cukor wasn't able to solve. First, there is a marked age difference between the stars, not because Ms. Shearer looks older, on the contrary, she is in excellent form, but Mr. Taylor appears to be much younger.The film has some good moments for everyone. The best thing Mr. Cukor was able to do was to give the suave George Sanders the part of Tony Barling, the playboy who comes back to claim the love of Consuelo Croyden. They have parted in a bad way, but there's still something between the former lovers. By hiring Terry Trindale as the "fake" lover, in order to make Tony Barling jealous, a new dynamic enters into play.There are two extraordinary sequences toward the end of the film. The first one is the fight between Tony and Terry in the hotel's pantry when dishes, vases, and all kinds of porcelain gets smashed against walls. The second one is in the court that is presided by judge Sam, brilliantly portrayed by Chill Wills. The acting is first rate by this marvelous cast. In minor roles Frank McHugh and Elizabeth Patterson shine.The film is a light comedy that is a delight to watch.

blanche-2 Norma Shearer, in her last film, is a wealthy woman desperate to stay away from her on-again/off-again boyfriend (George Sanders) in "Her Cardboard Lover." To do this, she has Robert Taylor, a songwriter who's crazy about her, work off his gambling debt by pretending to be her boyfriend.A nice dramatic role would have been better for Shearer's final performance. But like Garbo, she went out with a comedy, and one that bombed at that, also like Garbo. One wonders what MGM was thinking. The dilemma seems to have been finding vehicles for these older stars as the world - and they - were changing.The film was made in 1942, and though it is a delightful comedy, it really has the look and feel of the '30s to it. There are some wonderful scenes - one where Taylor threatens to jump over a balcony and a dandy fight scene at the end. But in spots, it seems a little tired.Norma Shearer wears gorgeous clothes and is over-dramatic, which is what the part called for. Robert Taylor does a fine job, and George Sanders was wasted. One of the comments said that Shearer was too old for the role - yet the actors seem properly matched and this writer, anyway, had no idea of Shearer's age. In the end, though, it wasn't a fitting way for her to go out. The role hearkens back to a much earlier time. Perhaps, in the end, that's what she wanted.

Pat-54 Despite direction by George Cukor and a cast that included Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor and George Sanders, this film flopped at the box office. Norma Shearer, having previously turned down the roles of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind," and Kay Miniver in "Mrs. Miniver," called it quits after the release of "Her Cardboard Lover" and never again appeared in another film.