Year: 1946
Director: Curtis Bernhardt
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Eve Arden
Odd that Stanwyck’s character in this 1946 weeper is named exactly the same as she was in Forty Guns. When I first read the synopsis of this film, I rolled my eyes. Soap opera city. Imagine my surprise when by the denouement of the picture, I was moved to tears. That’s how effective Babs is in conveying her pain @ being split between the love for her boys and personal happiness. I have friends who grew up in the North Shore area and their anecdotal stuff about the blue bloods and their snobbish behavior combined w/ gossip is plentiful. So the Chicago stuff for that decade is spot on. Jessica Drummond is in the untenable position of being a widow who is expected by her mother to honor a dead husband’s memory by not pursuing any other relationships. Brutal expectations and Stanwyck shows us that they are inhuman standards.
My Reputation is an excellent movie w/ one of my favorite performances from “Missy.”
Obscure Classics 
May 27, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I adore this movie! It may be one of my favorite Stany films.
She plays Jessica Drummond in Forty Guns, too? That’s so odd!
May 28, 2009 at 12:12 am
Kate,
Babs plays a character named Jessica Drummond in both movies. Just a strange quirk of screenwriting I guess. To be clear, however, they’re not the same character.
May 28, 2009 at 8:19 am
I love Stanwyck so much I am willing to get out the tissues and be a man about this and watch it.
May 28, 2009 at 5:49 pm
John,
She’s my favorite actress of all time and I think the best.
June 22, 2009 at 3:27 pm
It has been many years since I saw this movie but I remembered Barbara Stanwyck doing a great job in it (doesn’t she always?). This mid-40’s period and pre-code are my two favorites Stanwyck eras. Thanks for a glowing post.
Rupert
June 23, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Rupert,
We agree completely on the two periods that Stanwyck really excelled. I think Clash by Night and especially The Furies are the lone exceptions. Thanks for reading.
July 10, 2013 at 1:20 pm
“My Reputation” that I always thought was one of Stanwyck’s best. I believe she even selected it as on of her favorites. For those who haven’t seen it you’re in store for a treat. P.S.-Anyone who has Eve Arden as their best friend can’t be all bad.