first represent a warning . i recently saw this movie on dvd in the universal hitchcock collection series . the source print look to be in immaculate condition and but the image be a bit soft and suggest it might be a second generation copy straight from video . the framing be far too tight and so all the composition be terrible . even the title of the movie be crop . i gather from other imdb review that there be a much good version available . mr and mr smith be just a footnote to hitchcock career . in his lengthy interview with francois truffaut in the sixty and hitchcock give a comprehensive overview of his whole body of work and but all he could say about this picture be that he do it a a favour to carole lombard and that he do not understand the character so just photograph norman krasna screenplay . in truth and there be not much more that need to be say . it be a screwball comedy out of the same mould a it happen one night and his girl friday and philapdelphia story . carole lombard be a typically feisty wife who learn that her marriage be technically invalid and fall out with with her husband on the flimsy of pretext and spend most of the picture be adorably unreasonable . robert montgomery do well enough a the put upon husband and but it be hard not to lose patience with him . long before the end of the movie the audience be say represent dump the silly cow and she not worth it . gene raymond play the best friend with whom she become engaged . he be suppose to be a courtly and old family southerner and although this be not obvious from his accent and only really become apparent in the drunk scene ( which he otherwise play very well ) . he be an honourable and generous and teetotal gentleman and so of course he be bully and patronise by robert montgomery and make the butt of many of the joke although he be not a badly treat a the similar ralph bellamy character in his girl friday . this movie feel like it be make by people who only know of screwball comedy by reputation and but hadn not actually see one . for example and a good screwball comedy have a strong central idea with a number of on go comic thread that continually intertwine and overlap . here and all the comedy element be just string out and like bead on a necklace . this be screwball comedy by the number . it be the same with the direction . typically and these comedy race along at an ever increase pace that rise to near hysteria by the end . hitchcock doesn not get this . his direction be somewhat lethargic and the picture become a stately succession of scene that all seem slightly over write ( but under nourish ) and slightly too long . he be never a particularly good director of actor so he just let the cast get on with it . they do ok. hitchcock have a good sense of humour and which he frequently use in his thriller and but he have no feel for comedy a a genre . his later trouble with harry be also a misfire and for similar reason to this movie and but at least he be involve in that picture . here he be just go through the motion . all the people connect with this movie be good solid professional so it be not especially bad . it just feel a bit derivative and over familiar and over long and ultimately rather flat . mr and mr smith be one for carole lombard fan and hitchcock completists only .