Brides Are Like That (1936) User Reviews

Ross Alexander Is Like That

[boblipton · 5/10 · 22 January 2010]

I have a number of problems with this picture. There is a certain weary sameness in the way everyone speaks their lines; it's not just the high-speed Warner-B style of declamation. Almost every line is spoken with anger or dislike. Even Gene and Kathleen Lockhart are annoyingly strident. Only Joseph Cawthorn, doing his usual double talk is at all amusing.

The real obstacle is Ross Alexander in the lead, who only seems to have one register: simultaneously bluff and arrogant, always on in big and small scenes.

That said, there is some good writing here, some amusing lines and some well-constructed speeches, but director William McGann doesn't seem to do much with them. The camera-work and editing are, as usual, topnotch. The net effect is passable, but in the hands of better players -- or perhaps simply a better director -- it could have been so much more.

Play into movie

[ctomvelu1 · 5/10 · 26 June 2012]

Badly dated romantic comedy, based on play, about a shiftless, fast-talking young man who can;t seem to hold a job. Nor does he really want to. He lives off a well-do-do uncle. Ross Alexander, a sort of precursor to Bob Hope, plays the golf-loving lad. Most of the movie is taken up with a love triangle: Alexander, Anita Louise as the fetching daughter of a banker played by Gene Lockhart and a young doctor played by Dick Purcell. The movie is very stage-bound, and nothing much really happens. The best that can be said of it is that Alexander delivers his lines like a machine gunner on speed, and Lockhart and the fellow playing Alexander's uncle make good foils. Louise is amazingly pretty under all that '30s makeup and hairdo. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying. I hate to think the play ended the same way.

Yeah... And They Aren't the Only Ones!

[mikhail080 · 7/10 · 15 June 2010]

Here's a nifty little vintage "rom-com" from Warner Brothers' B-unit. Starring the affable wiseacre Ross Alexander and lovely Anita Louise, Brides Are Like That provides a few chuckles and a more than pleasant experience.

Like so many 1930's romances, it's based on a play, and this one is from about a dozen years earlier entitled, "Applesauce," which refers to an extended metaphor used throughout. The fairly standard plot involves a love triangle between the two leads and stodgy Dick Purcell, who plays an M.D. with designs on Louise. Alexander portrays a charming loafer who'd rather golf than work, and the girl must choose between the two, with the Lockharts as her parents pushing her into marriage with Purcell.

In typical Warner Brothers style, the exceedingly clever dialog moves at a crisp, almost rapid-fire, pace which enlivens what could easily have become a set-bound and ponderous experience for the audience. The characters are all certainly quirky -- almost foreshadowing the later You Can't Take It With You.

I find Ross Alexander to be a very like-able screen presence always, and here he really demonstrates a lot of potential as a comic leading man, in the way of contemporaries like George Burns or Bob Hope. He's looks great, without being too conventionally handsome, and really seems like a guy that both men and women would respond to. And Anita Louise obviously is stunningly beautiful, without any bad angle at which to be photographed.

All told, Brides Are Like That does its source material proud, and provides slightly over an hour's worth of frivolity and amusement.

welcome to Speed Talking 101 ** minor Spoiler **

[ksf-2 · 6/10 · 23 January 2010]

Made a couple years into the movie code enforcement, we'll have to keep those expectations in check. About this time, the plays were all turned into movies, and a lot was lost in translation. Lots of FAST talking. Anita Louise is Hazel. Watch for real husband and wife team Gene and Kathleen Lockhart in this one. Ross Alexander is the dashing lover- boy Bill McAllister, who is all over Hazel. Alexander and his second wife both committed suicide by gunshot, acc to Wikipedia.org and IMDb, which is pretty freaky....because... in "Brides Are Like That", he ACTUALLY SAYS " Cheer up, honey. I'm not going to shoot myself" when Hazel turns down his marriage proposal. Truth is stranger than fiction. Dick Purcell is Randoph Jenkins, to whom she has promised herself. Written by Barry Conners, who had also written a couple of the Charlie Chans. Directed by William McGann who worked in various positions in the silents. It's OK... Best performances here were by Joe Crehan and Gene Lockhart the costume party dance. Looks like this was remade as "Always A Bride" with George Reeves, the original Superman; haven't seen that one; will have to try to catch it.

A Little Too Bohemian

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 9 June 2010]

The title of Brides Are Like That is a misleading one since the plot of the film turns on the behavior of the potential groom Ross Alexander. Potential bride Anita Louise is expecting certain behaviors out of Ross that he seems incapable of fulfilling.

Louise's parents are Gene and Kathleen Lockhart and Gene is acting in the typical Eugene Palette way with concern about his daughter getting hooked up with a bum. It bothers Joseph Cawthorn who is Alexander's uncle and only relative that the young man won't just go out and work and give up his Bohemian ways. Remember this is the Great Depression and attitudes like that are understandable.

In these Thirties comedies there is always a Ralph Bellamy part and in this case it's played by Dick Purcell. Someone halfway decent definitely could have taken Louise away from Alexander, but Purcell is such a sanctimonious drip that no wonder she prefers Alexander to him.

The main fault with Brides Are Like That is Alexander's character is just a little too Bohemian. And I can't believe there wasn't another alternative out there than Purcell.

Still the film has its amusing moments, mostly provided by Dick Purcell.

No They Are Not...

[xerses13 · 4/10 · 22 January 2010]

Light weight comedy by Warner Brothes (WB) featuring second tier Stars ROSS Alexander and ANITA LOUISE. Those two (2) form the romantic lead couple. They are supported by 'Character Actors' whose shtick in these films is standard for the time. The sole interesting note is the film featured Husband and Wife, GENE & KATHLEEN LOCKHART, yes JUNE's Parents.

Independent Spirit Bill McAllister (ROSS) loves Hazel Robinson (LOUISE) vying for her affection with Dr. Randolf Jenkins (DICK PURCELL). Both his Uncle and her Parents object. Why, because he has no hook to hang his hat on and no prospects of getting one. That does not stop Hazel though and the triumph of their inevitable marriage is a fantasy that only could occur in the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood. Want the details, watch the film. It is only 67" long.

ROSS Alexander a couple years earlier was being brought up through the WB star system. By 1936 and the BRIDES ARE LIKE THAT he had been regulated to the second tier. ROSS's style was reminiscent of WILLIAM HAINES, late of MGM. The irresponsible 'Gay Blade' who by 'pluck & luck' overcomes all obstacles and triumphs by the end of the last reel. MR. HAINES was forced out of the business because of his homosexuality, but became a successful interior decorator. MR. ROSS could not handle the failing of his career and personal life. On January 02, 1937 decided the rest of the year and his life were not worth viewing. Lead poisoning too his temple solved his conflict.

Both extremes would make lousy husbands....Hazel should consider OTHER options!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 11 January 2020]

Hazel (Anita Louise) has two men who want to marry her. Randolph is a doctor...and very reliable...but also about as much fun and interesting as a ball of lint. In contrast, Bill is fun and unpredictable...but also incredibly lazy and undisciplined. For some odd reason, Hazel thinks she has to choose between them...and she chooses Bill. As for Bill, he's about as mature as an 8 year-old...and is constantly talking. I personally wanted to punch Bill in the beezer!

So is this film any good? Not really. Bill is simply annoying and you cannot understand why Hazel would want him. And, by the end of the film, you're left thinking this as well! Overall, a weird and unsatisfying film....one that seemed incomplete and one in which Bill learned absolutely nothing...except how to use people and annoy them.

Applesauce for Ross Alexander

[wes-connors · 8/10 · 29 June 2012]

Charming, college-educated Ross Alexander (as Bill McAllister) has everything going for him except a job. His wealthy uncle Joseph Cawthorn (as Fred Schultz) likes his only heir, but is tired of paying Mr. Alexander's bills. When Alexander charges an expensive engagement ring to his account, tongue-tied Uncle Cawthorn cuts him off. The ring is for pretty blonde Anita Louise (as Hazel Robinson), but she has an offer from another suitor; responsible Richard "Dick" Purcell (as Randolph "Doc" Jenkins) is also preferred by Ms. Louise's parents, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart (as John "Jackie Boy" and Ella Robinson)...

Alexander decides to use flattery to his advantage...

What makes this fine adaptation of Barry Conners' Broadway success "Applesauce" (1925) work so well is the use of flattery for something not as sinister as the clever trickster in Aesop's fables; with an especially engaging performance, a smooth-talking Alexander keeps you on his side. The empathetic moment when Alexander seems to accept his loss, and pauses outside her home, is a highlight. Louise is irresistible, with her eavesdropping and next scene with Alexander very well-played. Support from others is excellent, and you get a chance to see future favorite June Lockhart's parents acting together (as Mr. and Mrs. John Robinson).

******** Brides Are Like That (3/22/36) William McGann ~ Ross Alexander, Anita Louise, Joseph Cawthorn, Gene Lockhart

Talking too much and saying too little.

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 7 July 2022]

Long monologues in films have to contribute something to the plot, and not just applesauce. This programmer from Warner Brothers was not made for the bigger stars under contract at the time like Kay Francis and George Brent. Instead we get Ross Alexander and Anita Louise, talented but not extraordinary, although Louise was good in A's as a second lead and Alexander died far too young to prove his chance to play leads in bigger films. He's not photographed very well here, his profile certainly no Barrymore. This was obviously filmed on standing sets from an A picture which makes it seem far more prestigious than it really was, but outside some good character players, this is quickly forgettable.

Louise had a choice between Alexander and Dick Purcell (a definite B actor in the Warner's stable), and has chosen Alexander. Purcell though sticks around in hopes of getting her back after wishing them well, his long monologue about happiness and applesauce truly preposterous. The real life married Gene and Kathleen Lockhart play Louise's parents here, and they do nothing but argue throughout, even while having fun at a costume party where everybody is dressed as early American settlers. Joseph Cawthorn as Alexander's uncle is funny in a small role.

Mary Treen, a dependable long time working character actress (over shadowed by the similar Mary Wickes when she appeared on the movie scene a few years later), get some good lines, but the bulk of the screenplay is arguing and screaming and headache inducing. Made during the height of the screwball comedy craze, this is one of the weakest because the two men fighting over Louise aren't worthy of her, and she's far too sensible of a girl to be a proper screwball comedy heroine, although she does go back and forth between them rather unbelievably. If this bride to be was really like that, she would be on the first boat to Europe to get away from these two ASAP.

Do you work without living, or do you live without working?

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 8 April 2024]

Barry Conners' play ran on Broadway in the mid-1920s and finally transferred to celluloid when Warner Brothers made this charming romcom a decade later. Originally titled 'Applesauce,' it's about a young man (Ross Alexander) who is related to an independent orchard owner (Joseph Cawthorn) but doesn't seem to want to do any work. He is known for his flattery and blarney, which people sarcastically refer to as applesauce.

Alexander's character pours on the charm with women, which goes over well for him. Especially with regards to a young gal (Anita Louise) he loves, who coincidentally is engaged to someone else (Dick Purcell). But Alexander's uncle (Cawthorn) and Louise's put-upon father (Gene Lockhart) take different views and consider him fairly worthless. As a result Louise is pressured to remain engaged to Purcell, even when Purcell becomes too controlling and business-minded about the planned marriage.

This is basically a filmed play that contains some good dialogue and rather thoughtful characterizations, which the competent cast is able to capitalize on with its sharp performances. Only two main sets are used. One is the interior of Lockhart's home where Louise lives before she decides to dump Purcell and impulsively wed Alexander. Another is the apartment where the newlyweds live above a drug store.

After the young couple is wed, the story focuses on whether or not they will be happy. Will Alexander make good and take up a career, or will Louise will have to return home and admit she made a mistake? In contrast to the impulsive qualities of the newlyweds' union, we see Louise's parents struggling to keep their own marriage fresh and spontaneous. The mother is played by Kathleen Lockhart, who in real life was married to Gene Lockhart. BRIDES LIKE THAT was the Lockharts' first Hollywood film together.

One thing I rather enjoyed, besides Ross Alexander's excellent acting, is how the character he plays is not meant to be pitied or frowned upon. Yes, he goes through periods where he's unable to maintain employment; but he has a dream he eventually makes good on; and his character is deeply in love with the woman he married. It's refreshing to see such a flawed man on screen who is not an outright villain; just someone who needs a bit more time to hit his stride. It's easy to root for the twosome as they get started.

It's also nice to glimpse what a real marriage looks like on screen, in the form of the Lockharts' sparring and loving reconciliations. One thing the casual viewer will learn is that in a good marriage, the wife remains the apple of her husband's eye. That's no lie; I mean, that's no applesauce.