Friday, January 18, 2008
Last night's movie - Man of the Moment
TCM is premiering some 27 Warners' British films from the 1930's that were snubbed in previous years as being "lesser" because they were made quickly, often as the second feature when double features were the thing and people spent pennies to wile away Saturday afternoon at the movies; then again, they didn't have Tivo.
Man of the Moment is lots of fun and I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so here's just the setup: Mary (Laura La Plante who was a big musical comedy star) is a pretty young secretary in a London firm. She's infatuated with her boss but he, of course, is a cad. That sudden realization upsets Mary so much that she quits and decides to drown herself. Along comes a well-to-do young man, Tony (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. at his relaxed and dashing best before he became too self-conscious), who rather merrily rescues her and takes her home to prevent her jumping back into the water. Once there, antics ensue as we meet his dog (who can leave a room and close the door), his butler, his fiancée (Margaret Lockwood who went on to become a big star in Britain) and her father as well as loads of his pals who have come to regale him at his bachelor party.
Man of the Moment belongs on the same shelf with the stellar charming and delightful screwball comedies of the era, though this is a British version. P.G.Wodehouse of Bertie Wooster fame would be delighted, I am sure, his biscuit-tossing young men being well-matched by the musical chairs revelers and a nutcracking episode at the bachelor party. Also, because it's pre-Code, the unmarried hero and heroine take a hotel room with only one double bed (gasp) and she spends a fair amount of time in Tony's brother's clothes. It's great to see so many actors that one knows, early in their careers, expertly navigating this perky plot for whom we can thank Yves Mirande, a highly successful French playwright, and (among others) A.R. Rawlinson, one of 4 credited writers of the 1934 The Man Who Knew Too Much (one of the best stories ever written, in my opinion). There's nothing at all salacious, just a whole lot of good fun, eye candy, and much clever verbal and visual repartee.
Man of the Moment is lots of fun and I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so here's just the setup: Mary (Laura La Plante who was a big musical comedy star) is a pretty young secretary in a London firm. She's infatuated with her boss but he, of course, is a cad. That sudden realization upsets Mary so much that she quits and decides to drown herself. Along comes a well-to-do young man, Tony (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. at his relaxed and dashing best before he became too self-conscious), who rather merrily rescues her and takes her home to prevent her jumping back into the water. Once there, antics ensue as we meet his dog (who can leave a room and close the door), his butler, his fiancée (Margaret Lockwood who went on to become a big star in Britain) and her father as well as loads of his pals who have come to regale him at his bachelor party.
Man of the Moment belongs on the same shelf with the stellar charming and delightful screwball comedies of the era, though this is a British version. P.G.Wodehouse of Bertie Wooster fame would be delighted, I am sure, his biscuit-tossing young men being well-matched by the musical chairs revelers and a nutcracking episode at the bachelor party. Also, because it's pre-Code, the unmarried hero and heroine take a hotel room with only one double bed (gasp) and she spends a fair amount of time in Tony's brother's clothes. It's great to see so many actors that one knows, early in their careers, expertly navigating this perky plot for whom we can thank Yves Mirande, a highly successful French playwright, and (among others) A.R. Rawlinson, one of 4 credited writers of the 1934 The Man Who Knew Too Much (one of the best stories ever written, in my opinion). There's nothing at all salacious, just a whole lot of good fun, eye candy, and much clever verbal and visual repartee.
Labels: fun, modern culture, movies
Post a Comment