Cary Grant
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Film Study · 1939 · Romantic Drama • Comedy-Drama • Social Drama

In Name Only

A deeply emotional Cary Grant drama about love, loyalty, and the courage to escape a life built on appearances.

Archival photograph associated with In Name Only

Editorial ratings

Cary Grant
Story
Direction
Cinematography
Entertainment
Historical importance
The Story

A wealthy man falls for a widow but is locked into a loveless marriage with a woman who has contrived to convince his parents she is the ideal wife.

Cary Grant plays Alec Walker, under the direction of John Cromwell, released in 1939.

Featured quote

“I haven’t the remotest notion. She calls me up every now and then and we talk. I call her my telephone dream girl. It’s practically weird.”

Alec Walker — Alec Walker jokes about a mysterious caller early in the melodrama of his unhappy marriage.

Introduction

Released in 1939, In Name Only offered Cary Grant one of his most emotionally demanding roles, portraying a wealthy man trapped in an unhappy marriage.

The Story

Alec Walker appears successful but privately lives in an emotionally empty marriage. When he meets Julie Eden, he discovers genuine affection, but escaping his old life proves difficult.

Production & Behind the Scenes

RKO created a prestige romantic drama directed by John Cromwell. The Grant-Lombard partnership brought warmth and emotional credibility to the story.

Cary Grant's Performance

Grant portrays Alec Walker with restraint and sincerity, revealing loneliness and vulnerability while maintaining dignity and strength.

Direction & Themes

John Cromwell explores appearance versus reality, social obligation, marriage, emotional freedom, and the difference between comfort and happiness.

Historical Context

The film reflects late-1930s concerns about reputation, stability, marriage, and personal fulfillment while demonstrating Grant's expanding dramatic range.

Legacy & Influence

An overlooked but powerful Cary Grant drama that reveals the emotional intelligence behind his legendary screen persona.

Why This Film Defines Cary Grant

In Name Only reveals the humanity beneath Cary Grant's elegance. Alec Walker is a man searching for emotional truth, allowing Grant to demonstrate vulnerability, compassion, and dramatic depth.

Editor's Note

This film captures Cary Grant without the protective armor of perfection, revealing the emotional honesty that made him one of cinema's greatest stars.

Production & release

  1. 1937

    Grant and Lombard achieve success in The Awful Truth

  2. 1938

    Grant continues rise with Holiday and Bringing Up Baby

  3. 1939

    In Name Only released by RKO

  4. Later

    Film recognized among Grant's strongest dramatic performances

In the Room

Collaborators.

Actor
Charles Coburn
1877–1961

Charles Douville Coburn was born in Macon, Georgia, on 19 June 1877, and raised in Savannah. He began working in theaters as a boy, ushering and eventually managing a Savannah playhouse before moving into acting. He spent decades on the American stage, including running his own Shakespearean touring company with his first wife, Ivah Wills Coburn, and became a respected figure in New York theater and a founder of what became The Players club scene long before Hollywood took any interest in him. Coburn did not begin appearing regularly in films until 1933, when he was already in his mid-fifties, following the death of his wife. He quickly became one of the era's most reliable character actors, specializing in blustery, monocled tycoons and grandfatherly figures whose gruffness typically concealed a soft-hearted core. His late start did not slow him: he worked steadily and prolifically through the 1930s, 1940s and into the 1950s. His peak years came in his sixties and seventies, when he received three consecutive Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor: for The Devil and Miss Jones (1941), for which he lost, The More the Merrier (1943), for which he won, and The Green Years (1946). He continued working in film, radio and eventually television into his eighties. Coburn died in New York City on 30 August 1961, at eighty-four, having appeared in roughly ninety films over a nearly thirty-year screen career that began only after most actors' careers were winding down.

On Screen

Cast.

  • Cary Grant as Alec Walker

    Cary Grant as Alec Walker

  • Carole Lombard as Julie Eden

    Carole Lombard as Julie Eden

  • Kay Francis as Maida Walker

    Kay Francis as Maida Walker

  • Charles Coburn as Richard Walker

    Charles Coburn as Richard Walker

  • Helen Vinson as Suzanne

    Helen Vinson as Suzanne

  • Katharine Alexander as Laura

    Katharine Alexander as Laura

  • Jonathan Hale as Dr. Gateson

    Jonathan Hale as Dr. Gateson

The Record

Full billed cast of In Name Only (1939).

Players in billing order, with the characters they play.

  • Cary Grantas Alec Walker
  • Carole Lombardas Julie Eden
  • Kay Francisas Maida Walker
  • Charles Coburnas Richard Walker
  • Helen Vinsonas Suzanne
  • Katharine Alexanderas Laura
  • Jonathan Haleas Dr. Gateson
  • Nella Walkeras Mrs. Walker
  • Alan Baxteras Charley
  • Maurice Moscovitchas Dr. Muller
  • Peggy Ann Garneras Ellen
  • Spencer Chartersas Gardener
  • James Adamsonas Black Waiter on Train (uncredited)
  • Arthur Aylesworthas Farmer on Truck (uncredited)
  • Lloyd Ingrahamas Hospital Elevator Operator (uncredited)
  • Frank Pugliaas Manager of Tony's Cafe (uncredited)
  • Grady Suttonas Paul Graham (uncredited)
  • Jack Chapinas Bellhop #1 (uncredited)
  • Charles Colemanas Archie Duross (uncredited)
  • John Dilsonas Head Train Steward (uncredited)
  • Fern Emmettas Hotel Chambermaid (uncredited)
  • Edward Fliegleas Night Clerk (uncredited)
  • Byron Foulgeras Owen the Clerk (uncredited)
  • Gus Glassmireas Yawning Hospital Attendant (uncredited)
  • Gordon Douglasas Steward (uncredited)
  • Jesse Gravesas Train Waiter (uncredited)
  • Sam Harrisas Party Guest (uncredited)
  • Harold Hoffas Bellhop Bringing Bottle (uncredited)
  • John Laingas John the Chauffeur (uncredited)
  • Mary MacLarenas Nurse at Desk (uncredited)
  • Harriet Matthewsas Boat Passenger (uncredited)
  • Tony Merloas Waiter at Tony's (uncredited)
  • Frank Millsas Bartender (uncredited)
  • Bert Moorhouseas College Man Asking About Game (uncredited)
  • Clive Morganas Party Guest (uncredited)
  • Sandra Morganas Boat Passenger (uncredited)
  • George Roseneras Dr. Hastings at Hotel (uncredited)
  • Robert Strangeas Hotel Manager / Amorous House Detective (uncredited)
  • Kathryn Wilsonas Party Guest (uncredited)
  • Florence Wixas Party Guest (uncredited)

Crew.

  • Art DirectionVan Nest Polglase
  • Costume DesignEdward Stevenson
  • Costume DesignIrene
  • DirectorJohn Cromwell
  • Director of PhotographyJ. Roy Hunt
  • EditorWilliam Hamilton
  • Original Music ComposerRoy Webb
  • ProducerGeorge Haight
  • ScreenplayRichard Sherman
Shared Company

Players in common.

1936 · Raoul Walsh
Big Brown Eyes

Also featuring Alan Baxter.

1932 · Alexander Hall
Sinners in the Sun

Also featuring Carole Lombard.

1933 · Stuart Walker
The Eagle and the Hawk

Also featuring Carole Lombard.

1933 · Louis J. Gasnier
Gambling Ship

Also featuring Spencer Charters.

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Continue

Other studies.

1953 · Sidney Sheldon
Dream Wife

Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr headline an elegant romantic comedy exploring whether the perfect partner exists—or whether perfection itself is an illusion.

1957 · Stanley Donen
Kiss Them for Me

A thoughtful wartime satire blending romance, comedy, and commentary on celebrity culture.

1963 · Stanley Donen
Charade

Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn create one of cinema's most elegant romantic mysteries—a thrilling game of deception, danger, and unexpected love.