"Ladies Should Listen" is one of a slew of comedies that Paramount Pictures cranked out with Cary Grant in his early years. Most didn't have very much of a plot, and this is one of those. It's only slightly better than "Kiss and Make-Up." The comedy is much better, especially with dialog between Grant and Edward Everett Horton. Frances Drake's role adds a touch of fun to the film.
Drake plays a residential telephone operator, Anna Mirelle. Grant is Julian De Lussac and Horton is Paul Vernet. The plot is disjointed and doesn't explain well how Julian gets engaged to Susie Flamberg (played by Nydia Westman). Grant is in the middle of a love quadrangle in this film.
One of the funniest scenes is Julian's fake suicide and the follow-up. Another is Susie's tripping over luggage into Julian's arms. Their expressions and respective reactions are quite funny. This film also has a crime element. After watching the film, I realized that the title might have alluded to the spread of gossip and news via telephone operators who listen in on phone calls.
Here are some samples of funny dialog. Julian, "Did you ever try to go through a telephone directory, page by page?" Paul, "No, but I'm reading 'Anthony Adverse.'" (The rambling 1933 historical adventure novel by Hervey Allen).
Anna, "And she said that Marguerite Cintos (played by Rosita Moreno) was a DD." Julian, "Doctor of Divinity?" Anna, "No – definitely dangerous."
Julian, "Wait a minute. How will I know when you get to 10?" Ramon Cintos (played by Rafael Storm), "You'll be dead."
Julian, "Cigarette!" Paul, "Offering or asking?" Julian, "Either or both." Paul, "Well, in that case, no thank you." Julian, "You're very welcome." Paul, "Not at all." Julian, "Suppose we resume our silence where we left off?" Paul, "Why not?"
Julian, "Your approach was wrong. You treated her with respect." Paul, "Why, of course!" Julian, "Yes, that's the trouble. You treat respectable women one way and the other kind another. Reverse your procedure and see what happens. Your popularity will surprise you." Paul, "Even with a girl like Susie?" Julian, "Please! You're speaking of my future wife."
Drake plays a residential telephone operator, Anna Mirelle. Grant is Julian De Lussac and Horton is Paul Vernet. The plot is disjointed and doesn't explain well how Julian gets engaged to Susie Flamberg (played by Nydia Westman). Grant is in the middle of a love quadrangle in this film.
One of the funniest scenes is Julian's fake suicide and the follow-up. Another is Susie's tripping over luggage into Julian's arms. Their expressions and respective reactions are quite funny. This film also has a crime element. After watching the film, I realized that the title might have alluded to the spread of gossip and news via telephone operators who listen in on phone calls.
Here are some samples of funny dialog. Julian, "Did you ever try to go through a telephone directory, page by page?" Paul, "No, but I'm reading 'Anthony Adverse.'" (The rambling 1933 historical adventure novel by Hervey Allen).
Anna, "And she said that Marguerite Cintos (played by Rosita Moreno) was a DD." Julian, "Doctor of Divinity?" Anna, "No – definitely dangerous."
Julian, "Wait a minute. How will I know when you get to 10?" Ramon Cintos (played by Rafael Storm), "You'll be dead."
Julian, "Cigarette!" Paul, "Offering or asking?" Julian, "Either or both." Paul, "Well, in that case, no thank you." Julian, "You're very welcome." Paul, "Not at all." Julian, "Suppose we resume our silence where we left off?" Paul, "Why not?"
Julian, "Your approach was wrong. You treated her with respect." Paul, "Why, of course!" Julian, "Yes, that's the trouble. You treat respectable women one way and the other kind another. Reverse your procedure and see what happens. Your popularity will surprise you." Paul, "Even with a girl like Susie?" Julian, "Please! You're speaking of my future wife."