This is a very entertaining film based on a story by Sarah Addington.
A widower, Stephen Blake (Melvyn Douglas), and a divorcee, Edith Farnham (Masy Astor), have a nasty run-in on the road. They discover later that they were going to the same ski resort for the Christmas holiday. Later, the road is made impassable by a snow slide, so they are the only guests for the first night, during which their mutual disdain grows.
By the time Stephen's son Tommy (Jackie Moran) arrives, they have overcome their enmity and are acting like lovebirds. Jackie, who hates girls, conspires with Edith's daughter, Brenda (Edith Fellows), who hates all males, to break up their parents' nascent courtship.
The two child actors are not peripheral to the story. And they hold their own with Douglas and Astor, supplying much of the physical comedy.
The story itself is rather complex, but very enjoyable, as the allegiances of the four continuously shift. Still, all four remain likable throughout.
There is an interesting subtext about "scientific" parenting, i.e. Sparing the rod.
A widower, Stephen Blake (Melvyn Douglas), and a divorcee, Edith Farnham (Masy Astor), have a nasty run-in on the road. They discover later that they were going to the same ski resort for the Christmas holiday. Later, the road is made impassable by a snow slide, so they are the only guests for the first night, during which their mutual disdain grows.
By the time Stephen's son Tommy (Jackie Moran) arrives, they have overcome their enmity and are acting like lovebirds. Jackie, who hates girls, conspires with Edith's daughter, Brenda (Edith Fellows), who hates all males, to break up their parents' nascent courtship.
The two child actors are not peripheral to the story. And they hold their own with Douglas and Astor, supplying much of the physical comedy.
The story itself is rather complex, but very enjoyable, as the allegiances of the four continuously shift. Still, all four remain likable throughout.
There is an interesting subtext about "scientific" parenting, i.e. Sparing the rod.