Stage performer Doree Macy must have a past, but the film chooses to not reveal it! Roy Del Ruth has helmed some of the most exciting Pre-Code films yet this one, in the same year he directed TAXI!, BLONDE CRAZY, and the original version of THE MALTESE FALCON (killer film, literally), is dull as a butter knife and devoid of frisson and flare.
Plot: Bachelor and senior citizen CEO John Thornley (Lewis Stone) and his workaholic and unbachelored protegee Robert Byrne (Ben Lyon) court and fall for the lovely Doree Macy (Bebe Daniels) while completely ignoring her loyal best friend Marion Moore (Joan Blondell) who just exudes sexual appeal and kindheartedness. Emotional turmoil ensues yet the two men remain confidantes and business partners through the ups and downs of their dueling interest. What makes the film empowering is that Doree is given the choice of relationship without either man resorting to deceit or trickery, over her or one another. When Doree confronts Robert about his marriage (which he kept secret since his wife was away in Paris for months), he owns his lie immediately without excuse. Her disappointment in him is sudden and obvious. The book Doree inscribes in this scene is THE MALTESE FALCON which Roy Del Ruth directed earlier in 1931 with, who else, Bebe Daniels!
The acting is fine from the four leads, though Joan Blondell steals every scene with her big eyes and big heart, but the story remains too talky and without any physical conflict. Everyone is so damn nice, even Robert’s soon to be ex-wife (by mutual consent) Consuelo (Natalie Moorhead) who has found love in Paris with “Poogey”. DP Barney McGill’s work is competent but unremarkable which is more the fault of the film’s structure and script than of his creativity. Bottom line, a mature yet prosaic exercise in frank Pre-Code melodrama.
Final Grade: (C-)