Free and Easy is a 1941 American comedy film directed by George Sidney and starring Robert Cummings, Ruth Hussey, Judith Anderson and Nigel Bruce. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film is a remake of But the Flesh Is Weak (1932) in which Robert Montgomery and C. Aubrey Smith had appeared as the son-and-father team. Both films are based on the 1928 play The Truth Game by Ivor Novello.Free and Easy Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 8, Iss. 85, (Jan 1, 1941): 69.

Cast Robert Cummings as Max Clemington Ruth Hussey as Martha Gray Judith Anderson as Lady Joan Culver C. Aubrey Smith as Duke Colver Nigel Bruce as Florian Clemington Charles Coleman as Powers, Culver's butler Reginald Owen as Sir Kelvin Teresa Maxwell-Conover as Lady Ridgeway Ernie Stanton as Duke's Horse Groom (uncredited)

Production It was George Sidney's first feature as director. "Nobody else on the lot would do it," he later said.DIRECTED SUBTLY BY G. SIDNEY: Flat-Foot Sidney Testing Self Criticism By BARBARA BERCH. New York Times 28 Oct 1945: X3. He had worked at MGM since 1931 and been directing studio shorts and screen tests; two of his shorts won Oscars - Quicker 'n a Wink (1940) and Of Pups and Puzzles (1941). This enabled him to move up to features.George Sidney: A Matter of Taste Morris, George. Film Comment; New York Vol. 13, Iss. 6, (Nov/Dec 1977): 56-60.

Sidney had directed Robert Cummings in a screen test in 1935.

Cummings was borrowed from Universal in December 1940. Filming started in late December 1940. The week before filming Edward Buzzell was to direct.By DOUGLAS W CHURCHILL NEWS OF THE SCREEN. New York Times ( However then Sidney stepped in. Filming ended in January 1941 though there were some reshoots later in the month.

Reception Critical The Los Angeles Times said Cummings plays "a likable cad who isn't too likable outside of his own natural effervescence."Sequel to 'Boys Town' Ready Hit Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 10 Apr 1941: A10. The New York Times said it was made with "a lack of success... only Robert Cummings, as the bouncing hero, gives the impression of enjoying himself. And Mr Cummings's enthusiasm is of the bouncing, juvenile sort. So the whole thing adds up to a vapid and completely inconsequential charade."THE SCREEN: At Loew's Criterion By BOSLEY CROWTHER. New York Times 3 Apr 1941: 29.

In 1945 George Sidney told a reporter doing a profile on him that "I'm sure you missed [the film] and you were lucky if you did." One of Sidney's obituaries called it "a feeble comedy."Obituary: George Sidney: Stylish director from Hollywood's golden age of musicals Bergan, Ronald. The Guardian 7 May 2002: 1.16. However it did launch his career.

Filmink called it "a brief post-Philadelphia Story attempt to turn" Hussey "into a star... which no one much remembers."

Box office According to MGM records the film earned $205,000 in the US and Canada and $128,000 elsewhere resulting in a loss of $33,000.

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