Without Love (1945)

My Review

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn play a couple in “Without Love” who get married on a platonic basis believing that they would avoid arguments, jealousy, etc., and all of the problems of marriage. They soon fall in love anyway, with humor and drama ensuing. Director Harold S. Bucquet (“Young Dr. Kildare” 1938) put together a smooth and slick project from the screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart. It was adapted from the 1942 play of the same name by Philip Barry.

It is obvious by this third outing of Spence and Kate that the duo has great on-screen chemistry, probably partly springing from their off-screen relationship. Co-stars include Lucille Ball, Keenan Wynn, Carl Esmond, Patricia Morrison, Felix Bressart, and Gloria Grahame as the flower girl. This was her second role in a career that would last until 1984. “Without Love” was a big hit at the box office for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.