This 1936 release is a fine example of the "screwball comedy" genre. With a powerhouse cast, one would think it would be a can't miss. It doesn't.
Spencer Tracy, William Powell, Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow lead an impressive troupe of players in this fast-paced comedy. The movie starts with a wedding. "Warren Haggerty" (Tracy) is the managing editor of a big newspaper. On the happiest day of his life, Warren has a crisis at work. One of his incompetent underlings has posted a libelous front-page story about rich playgirl "Connie Allenbury" (Loy). Connie plans to sue the paper for $5 million dollars, which would drain the paper's resources to near-bankruptcy.
As Warren leaves the church to deal with the crisis, his fiance "Gladys Benton" (Harlow) follows him to the office. She's livid, since it's not the first time Warren has stiffed her on getting married. Warren understands Gladys' frustration, but can't deal with it until he solves his work problem.
Warren's plan to save his paper involves his former employee "Bill Chandler" (Powell), a debonair ladies' man who rarely stays in one place for long. Bill is a bit down on his luck, sees Warren in dire straits, and takes advantage of the situation. Bill can make a healthy salary, and have Warren personally indebted to him as well.
Chandler is to marry Gladys as a ruse, charm Connie, get Connie in a compromising position, then use Gladys in an "alienation of affection" suit against Connie. This plan may get Connie to drop the $5 million dollar suit against the paper. Of course, nothing goes to plan. The main four characters fall in love and out of love. Misunderstandings about. The dialogue is whip-smart and fast-paced.
Admittedly, I wasn't a big fan of Harlow's work. I was familiar with her status as a "blonde bombshell" (I'm partial to brunettes & redheads, though). In this film, she easily goes from anger to dewy-eyed romantic without missing a beat. She handles her part well. She holds her own with the more senior actors.
Anyone who knows my love of film knows I am a huge fan of Powell and Loy. Powell can play the smooth talking ladies' man, and is adept at broad physical comedy ("It's a walleye!"). Loy is gorgeous as always, cool under pressure and so self-confident. Bill has to work overtime to hold Connie's attention. Powell and Loy are so natural on-screen as a couple. They make falling in love look like fun.
Tracy is one of the all-time greats, and shows it here. He was such a great comedic talent. He must have had a blast making this film, and it shows on-screen. Warren is energetic but not frantic. He's under control, understands the urgency of his task, but never over-emotes.
Walter Connolly and Cora Witherspoon head up a list of strong supporting players. Look for Hattie McDaniel ("Mammy" from Gone With The Wind) in a brief scene as a maid (naturally).
This is a great movie. If you like screwball comedy and haven't seen this one, make the time to view it. You won't be disappointed.
Furthermore, many sources note that this film was remade ten years later as "Easy to Wed" with Van Johnson ("Bill"), Lucille Ball ("Gladys"), Esther Williams ("Connie) and Keenan Wynn ("Warren") in the lead roles. This 1946 version was fun, but the 1936 Tracy was much snappier in its' pacing.
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