Jeanne Crain, Scott Brady, and Thelma Ritter star in "The Model and the Marriage Broker"

The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951 was directed by George Cukor and stars Jeanne Crain, Scott Brady, and Thelma Ritter.

Ritter has a rare starring role as marriage broker Mae Swasey. Her office is located in New York City’s iconic Flatiron Building where she helps her shy and awkward clients find love and companionship. When she picks up the purse of model Kitty Bennett (Crain) by accident, she decides to secretly become her marriage broker. You see, the model found out that the man she’s been dating is married, and Mae sees no future in that relationship. Without her knowledge, Mae arranges for Kitty to meet Matt Hornbeck (Brady), a young radiographer. Will Mae’s matchmaking be successful? And what about Mae? Will she find a love of her own? 

This underrated classic has a script by Charles Brackett (Sunset Boulevard - 1950, The Lost Weekend - 1945), cinematography by Milton Kranser (The Egg and I – 1947, All About Eve – 1950, Three Coins in the Fountain – 1954, An Affair to Remember – 1957), and direction by the legendary George Cukor (My Fair Lady - 1964). 

The film also boasts a first-rate supporting cast, featuring Zero Mostel and Nancy Kulp (in her film debut). But first and foremost, The Model and the Marriage Broker has the incomparable Ritter in one of the best roles of her career.

Jeanne Crain and Thelma Ritter

Jeanne Crain (1925 – 2003) was an American actress whose career spanned more than three decades. While still a teenager, she was asked to take a screen test with Orson Welles. He was testing for the part of Lucy Morgan in his production of The Magnificent Ambersons (1942). She didn’t get the part (Anne Baxter did), but she was on her way. She had a bit part in The Gang’s All Here (1943), but had a leading role in Home in Indiana (1944). The film was a box office hit and Crain became a favorite of film fans everywhere. She had another hit with Winged Victory (1944) and co-starred with Dana Andrews in the musical State Fair (1945). That same year, she was the “good girl” opposite Gene Tierney’s “bad girl” in Leave Her to Heaven. More good roles came her way including leads in A Letter to Three Wives (1949), The Fan (1949), and Pinky (1949). The latter won her a Best Actress Oscar nomination. She lost that year to Olivia de Havilland. Crain’s popularity continued into the 1950s but suffered when she was released from her exclusive contract with 20th Century-Fox. She continued to work in films and on television until 1975.

Scott Brady (1924 – 1985) was an American film and television actor who achieved fame in a series of movie westerns. Brady followed his older brother Lawrence Tierney to Hollywood. He studied acting at The Beverly Hills Dramatic School under the G.I. Bill of Rights. Brady made his movie debut in 1948 and worked steadily in film until his death. His last film role was in Gremlins (1984). Other films featuring Brady include Johnny Guitar opposite Joan Crawford and Sterling Hayden, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955), co-starring Jeanne Crain and Jane Russell, Marooned (1969), Doctor’s Wives (1971), and The China Syndrome (1979). Brady guest starred on many television shows starting in the 1950s to the mid-80s. He was offered the role of Archie Bunker in All in the Family but turned it down! He appeared on the show as Joe Foley for four episodes. He also guest starred on Laverne & Shirley as Shirley Feeney’s father.

Thelma Ritter (1902 - 1969) was an American actress best known for her portrayal of working-class characters. She was nominated six times in the Best Supporting Actress category, more than any other actress in the category. Ritter won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award in 1958 for New Girl in Town. She made her unbilled screen debut in Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and a character actress was born. Ritter quickly became a favorite of studio chief Daryl F. Zanuck who cast her in A Letter to Three Wives (1949), All About Eve (1950), The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951), With a Song in My Heart (1952), and Titanic (1953). Perhaps her most famous role was as James Stewart's nurse in Rear Window (1954). Ritter was a good friend of director George Seaton, who cast her in her first film role in Miracle on 34th Street. It was only fitting that Ritter's last film What's So Bad About Feeling Good (1968), was also directed by Seaton.

Dennie Moore, Jeanne Crain, and Nancy Kulp

The Model and the Marriage Broker trivia

• Thelma Ritter was third billed but has more screen time than Jeanne Crain and Scott Brady.
• This was Ritter's only true starring role where she's in almost every scene.
• Jeanne Crain and Scott Brady would co-star four years later in Gentlemen Marry Brunettes.
• This was the last film of Dennie Moore (Mrs. Bea Gingras).

To watch the movie on YouTube, click on the link below.

To join the discussion online on April 10, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Central Time, click here. Once you RSVP, you will receive an invitation with a link to the discussion on Zoom.

Discussion questions:

1. Should Mae have read the letter in Kitty's purse? Would you have read it?
2. Do you think this romantic comedy had a serious theme running through it? If yes, what was it?
3. Would you have gone to Mae Swasey to help you find a mate?
4. Did you have a favorite supporting character?
5. Was the romance between Crain and Brady believable?
6. What did you think of the relationship between Kitty (Crain) and Mae (Ritter)? Do you think they'll stay in touch?