Since Jean Harlow didn't make many movies, it's important to treasure every one she made. Even the ones with Spencer Tracy. Since Myrna Loy and William Powell only made fourteen movies together, it's also important to treasure every one they made. In this one, they don't play husband and wife, but instead rivals in a divorce suit. Myrna claims she's being libeled by being named as correspondent, and newspaper editor Spencer Tracy hires reporter Bill to pretend to seduce her to brand her as a harlot. That way, the newspaper isn't sued for libel and Spence can still be a world-class jerk.
In case you don't think he's a jerk yet, here's how he treats his fiancé Jean Harlow: he repeatedly puts off marrying her then suggests she marry Bill to help him with his newspaper story. Who wouldn't want to marry Jean Harlow? It's just not believable that Spence wouldn't want to marry her, and that the beautiful, sensational Jean would stick around after being treated so badly. Jean and Bill were an offscreen couple during the time this movie was made, but since the romances don't pair them together, it's not nearly as much fun to watch as it could have been. This one isn't the worst movie out there, and it's a classic fast-talking screwball comedy that could have starred Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, or Rosalind Russell and Melvyn Douglas, so if you like that genre, you'll want to rent this one. In the supporting cast, you'll find former Rag-winner Walter Connolly as Myrna's dad and future Rag-winner Charlie Grapewin as Spence's boss. And if you blink, you'll miss seeing Hattie McDaniel.
In case you don't think he's a jerk yet, here's how he treats his fiancé Jean Harlow: he repeatedly puts off marrying her then suggests she marry Bill to help him with his newspaper story. Who wouldn't want to marry Jean Harlow? It's just not believable that Spence wouldn't want to marry her, and that the beautiful, sensational Jean would stick around after being treated so badly. Jean and Bill were an offscreen couple during the time this movie was made, but since the romances don't pair them together, it's not nearly as much fun to watch as it could have been. This one isn't the worst movie out there, and it's a classic fast-talking screwball comedy that could have starred Carole Lombard and Clark Gable, or Rosalind Russell and Melvyn Douglas, so if you like that genre, you'll want to rent this one. In the supporting cast, you'll find former Rag-winner Walter Connolly as Myrna's dad and future Rag-winner Charlie Grapewin as Spence's boss. And if you blink, you'll miss seeing Hattie McDaniel.