Most comedy films Joan Crawford attempted to do honestly aren't that good (and this is from the point of view of a fan). True, the material was often second or third-rate, and she was often given the role after a better comedic actress turned it down, but she didn't have a light touch with her acting. That's not a bad thing, as her melodramas (quite a few of them) are amazing, but it isn't good for comedy.
I can see how the film is dated, as most of the comedy revolves around the "all businesswomen should stay at home and have babies and not be businesswomen", but it wouldn't be funny if it were the other way around. The odd thing is that Joan looks like Joan, and Joan sounds like Joan, but she doesn't act like Joan. Her comedic timing is surprisingly good, especially if you consider that the role was written for Carole Lombard (she was killed in a plane crash just before shooting started).
Melvyn Douglas is unfortunately cast as another one of his free-soul gigolo-esque caddish mustachioed men, but watching this film, you see how this is the man that made Theodora (Irene Dunne) go wild and Garbo laugh. His chemistry with Crawford is amazing, and he brings out a sweeter side in her character. The support of the rest of the cast is good, but they don't overshadow the two leads. Billie Burke is less annoying than usual, and it is easy to see her as Joan Crawford's mother.
The plot is something about a steely female called M. J. Drew who is head of a trucking company. She apparently hates men, as proven by the way she treats her workers. One day, along comes a man called Mike Holmes- he doesn't know who she is at first, and tries to flirt with her. She starts to feel funny and goes to the doctor several times- but is the doctor right? Has her ice-cold heart been warmed by the love of a man she pretends to hate?
Ending honestly was a little rushed, but it fit. It was satisfying.
(Sorry, I went the cheesy tagline route.)
One last thing I noticed...
The title is misleading- the bride who is being kissed is not Crawford, but the actress who plays Crawford's character's sister. Melvyn Douglas's character shows up to this (unhappy) wedding uninvited, drunk, and starts to flirt with all the women. He is the only one who kisses the bride- but a little later (like a couple minutes), he does kiss Crawford.
So, while a little far-fetched, it is good fun and will probably leave you with a stupid smile on your face. Unless you're hunting for misogyny, in which case you may not want to watch this film.
I can see how the film is dated, as most of the comedy revolves around the "all businesswomen should stay at home and have babies and not be businesswomen", but it wouldn't be funny if it were the other way around. The odd thing is that Joan looks like Joan, and Joan sounds like Joan, but she doesn't act like Joan. Her comedic timing is surprisingly good, especially if you consider that the role was written for Carole Lombard (she was killed in a plane crash just before shooting started).
Melvyn Douglas is unfortunately cast as another one of his free-soul gigolo-esque caddish mustachioed men, but watching this film, you see how this is the man that made Theodora (Irene Dunne) go wild and Garbo laugh. His chemistry with Crawford is amazing, and he brings out a sweeter side in her character. The support of the rest of the cast is good, but they don't overshadow the two leads. Billie Burke is less annoying than usual, and it is easy to see her as Joan Crawford's mother.
The plot is something about a steely female called M. J. Drew who is head of a trucking company. She apparently hates men, as proven by the way she treats her workers. One day, along comes a man called Mike Holmes- he doesn't know who she is at first, and tries to flirt with her. She starts to feel funny and goes to the doctor several times- but is the doctor right? Has her ice-cold heart been warmed by the love of a man she pretends to hate?
Ending honestly was a little rushed, but it fit. It was satisfying.
(Sorry, I went the cheesy tagline route.)
One last thing I noticed...
The title is misleading- the bride who is being kissed is not Crawford, but the actress who plays Crawford's character's sister. Melvyn Douglas's character shows up to this (unhappy) wedding uninvited, drunk, and starts to flirt with all the women. He is the only one who kisses the bride- but a little later (like a couple minutes), he does kiss Crawford.
So, while a little far-fetched, it is good fun and will probably leave you with a stupid smile on your face. Unless you're hunting for misogyny, in which case you may not want to watch this film.