Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Starring: Merle Oberon, Melvyn Douglas, Burgess Meredith
Genre: Romantic Comedy / Screwball
Runtime: ~84 minutes
Language: English
Public Domain: Yes
🎬 Overview
From legendary director Ernst Lubitsch, That Uncertain Feeling is a classic romantic comedy of remarriage that blends sharp wit, eccentric characters, and just a dash of psychoanalysis. Released in 1941, it stars Merle Oberon as a woman who begins to doubt her seemingly happy marriage after visiting a shrink for a case of nervous hiccups—and ends up in a love triangle with a neurotic pianist.
Though not as celebrated as Lubitsch’s masterpieces like Ninotchka or The Shop Around the Corner, this film offers a delightful peek into the quirks of mid-century romance and the director’s trademark “Lubitsch Touch.”
🧠 Plot Summary
Jill Baker (Merle Oberon) is a cultured New York wife with a curious affliction—nervous hiccups. On the advice of a friend, she consults a fashionable psychoanalyst, Dr. Vengard (Alan Mowbray), who causes her to reconsider her happy marriage to the practical, good-natured insurance executive Larry Baker (Melvyn Douglas).
While in the waiting room, she meets Alexander Sebastian (Burgess Meredith), a brooding, egotistical pianist who thrives on solitude and awkward monologues. Jill becomes enchanted by his odd charm and invites him to a dinner party with Larry’s clients. When her infatuation becomes obvious, Larry gracefully agrees to a divorce.
Soon after, Jill and Sebastian are engaged—but Jill realizes too late that she still loves Larry. What follows is a playful game of mistaken jealousy, deception, and one man faking a woman’s sobs from the next room. Jill and Larry reunite in the end, and as if by magic, her hiccups vanish for good.
👥 Cast Highlights
- Merle Oberon as Jill Baker
- Melvyn Douglas as Larry Baker
- Burgess Meredith as Alexander Sebastian
- Alan Mowbray as Dr. Vengard
- Eve Arden as Sally Aikens
- Harry Davenport as Jones, Larry’s lawyer
- Sig Ruman as Mr. Kafka
🎹 A Lubitsch-ian Romp
Adapted from the 1880 French play Divorçons by Victorien Sardou and Émile de Najac, the film carries the light satirical tone of a Lubitsch comedy but with a slightly more surreal, screwball flavor—thanks in large part to Burgess Meredith’s wonderfully awkward performance as the over-the-top pianist.
Though That Uncertain Feeling underperformed at the box office, it remains a lesser-known gem for fans of classic romantic comedies, full of clever dialogue and comedic reversals.
🎼 Awards & Legacy
- Werner R. Heymann received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
- Though it wasn’t a commercial hit, the film is remembered today for its sharp dialogue, witty pacing, and playful take on psychoanalysis and marriage—a theme ripe for comedy in 1940s cinema.
📺 Watch That Uncertain Feeling Free
📥 Download Now – Romantic Screwball Classic
📽️ Watch the Full Movie – Public Domain Link
This film is now in the public domain, meaning you can watch and share it freely. It’s a great pick for fans of classic comedies, Ernst Lubitsch, or vintage Hollywood romance.
🧠 Did You Know?
- This was one of Lubitsch’s rare misfires at the time, but in retrospect, its charm and offbeat humor have made it a cult favorite among classic film buffs.
- Eve Arden steals every scene she’s in, as usual, with her perfectly timed sarcasm.
🔖 Tags
ernst lubitsch, merle oberon, melvyn douglas, romantic comedy, public domain, screwball, 1941 film, that uncertain feeling, classics, lubitsch touch