"The Howards" is one of Mrs Mag's all time favorite movies. Grant has always been her favorite actor. Apparently you are treated to seeing rather more of Mr Grant than was customary in movies of this age.
Cary Grant wasn't insistant on being immaculate. Did you ever see "Father Goose"? He loved making that.
I loved “Father Goose.” It was a Saturday afternoon staple in the henkster household growing up. (Along with “Mysterious Island” “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” “The Great Race” “Forbidden Planet” “The Monolith Monsters” and of course any Godzilla movie).
Could you imagine Hollywood filming “The Howards of Virginia” today? Cary Grant would be oppressing the Native Americans while Martha Scott would be oppressing her black slaves. And then once the American bourgeoisie revolution had succeeded, the Howards would be oppressing the urban proletariat. Those would be the only messages of the film.