My Reputation (1946)

3 out of 4 stars

Another film that has not been released in any format. This is the story of Jessica Drummond, played brilliantly by Barbara Stanwyck, a young widow. In her loneliness and despair her friends take her away on a skiing trip to Lake Tahoe. While on the slopes she meets Major Landis, a very handsome man who is interested in her. Once she realizes that he has been stationed near her home she decides to start a relationship with him. Needless to say this gets the high society tongues wagging. The real problem starts when her sons learn of the rumors and believe them. This is when she decides to confront her "friends" and not worry about her reputation. What a wonderful movie. It is so hard to fathom the customs of 1940s when widows were expected, even at a young age, to basically wither up and become recluses. While the ending is left open it is wonderful and uplifting. Another must see when it comes on TCM.