... so this is a bit more than your run of the mill precode.
Allie Smith (Helen Twelvetrees) is an assistant librarian in New York CIty. She agrees to be fourth wheel on a blind double date with Charlie Riggs (William Janney). Charlie talks as big as the biggest bag of wind you've ever seen, but Allie is rather idealistic and naive and she believes he has done all of the things and been all of the places he talks about. They marry, but starting on her honeymoon the truth begins to become obvious. Charlie is exaggerating if not lying about everything. Settling into married life, Allie continues to work and Charlie's idea of looking for work is chasing the next big deal that will never be. And then Allie discovers she is pregnant. Complications ensue.
Eric Linden usually played conscientious younger brothers or loyal husbands such as he did in "Life Begins", so it is odd seeing him here as a complete jerk, but he is very effective. His character seems to genuinely care for Allie, he just can't divest himself of his fantasies about his own business acumen. I imagine Depression audiences could relate to the two main characters losing their illusions about life, themselves, and each other as time and bad circumstances wear on. Arline Judge has a supporting role here as a very wicked selfish dance hall girl/barfly. To see her range watch "College Scandal" in which she plays a level headed coed on the trail of a murderer.
I'd recommend this one. It really surprised me as having more complexity and depth than I would have figured from the synopses - all of which are pretty much wrong - and the title and cast.
Allie Smith (Helen Twelvetrees) is an assistant librarian in New York CIty. She agrees to be fourth wheel on a blind double date with Charlie Riggs (William Janney). Charlie talks as big as the biggest bag of wind you've ever seen, but Allie is rather idealistic and naive and she believes he has done all of the things and been all of the places he talks about. They marry, but starting on her honeymoon the truth begins to become obvious. Charlie is exaggerating if not lying about everything. Settling into married life, Allie continues to work and Charlie's idea of looking for work is chasing the next big deal that will never be. And then Allie discovers she is pregnant. Complications ensue.
Eric Linden usually played conscientious younger brothers or loyal husbands such as he did in "Life Begins", so it is odd seeing him here as a complete jerk, but he is very effective. His character seems to genuinely care for Allie, he just can't divest himself of his fantasies about his own business acumen. I imagine Depression audiences could relate to the two main characters losing their illusions about life, themselves, and each other as time and bad circumstances wear on. Arline Judge has a supporting role here as a very wicked selfish dance hall girl/barfly. To see her range watch "College Scandal" in which she plays a level headed coed on the trail of a murderer.
I'd recommend this one. It really surprised me as having more complexity and depth than I would have figured from the synopses - all of which are pretty much wrong - and the title and cast.