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Sadly Over-hyped

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It's easy to see why Joan Crawford was one of the top box office draws of the mid 1930's. She was simply one of the most exquisitely beautiful and natural movie stars, not a superb actress, but purely ravishing in looks, poise and personality. She sang and danced, clowned and cried with conviction, and audiences adored her. The masculine 1940's and 50's look was far off, so here she is at her most appealing.This romantic comedy has Crawford as a madcap socialite traveling aboard her father's (Frank Morgan) private yacht around the Greek isles where she meets a struggling archaeologist (Brian Aherne) who thinks she's a secretary. Fate reveals the truth in New York when he meets her father, and once all is revealed, the sparks continue to fly. Aherne is one of Crawford's better romantic leads, not a he-man like Gable or dull like real-life hubby Franchot Tone, but a likable masculine male who will not tolerate her nonsense, yet would never bore her, either.This isn't all champagne corks and society shindigs, however. This delves into visions of the lives of the idle rich and how a working man could never tolerate such an existence, particularly in the depression. When Aherne is made a vice president in the company run by Crawford's hard-as-nails granny (the fabulous Jessie Ralph), he goes ballistic as he realizes the pointlessness of it all and his title in name only position. Eric Blore and Arthur Treacher exchange some great "sissy" dialog as butlers of the different households, and the always wonderful Aline MacMahon is fun as Aherne's assistant. There is also a fabulous Christmas sequence where the guest at the unseen Ralph's annual shindig sing one of the funniest versions of "Silent Night" ever heard on film.This has one of the wittiest screenplays of MGM's golden age (outside a "Thin Man" movie), with gems such as Morgan's retort to Aherne, "After all, Rome wasn't burnt in a day!" and Ralph's acceptance of Aherne when he fibs by telling her that his ancestors were horse thieves and pirates. "Good Stock", she says, as she could in that truly inimitable vinegary way.

I have never been a big fan of Joan Crawford, this movie clarifies why. I like comedy and Ms. Crawford is NOT a comedian. I would not attempt to understand why. Like other reviewers I wonder if this movie would have faired better in the hands of a Carole Lombard. BUT unlike other reviewers I feel Brian Ahearne could have been appreciated had he been cast opposite another actress. I have seen him in other comedic movies and he handled himself well. I am of the opinion that Ms. Crawford is the wet blanket in this movie. That said, the shining grace of this movie is the plethora of the much known and loved character actors: Frank Morgan, Jesse Ralph, Eric Blore, Arthur Treacher we never get tired of watching any or all of their antics. This is not the only movie their presence has saved.

In a departure from her more common rags-to-riches melodramas, Crawford plays here an heiress who stumbles upon a handsome archaeologist, leading to a complicated courtship as their worlds collide. While on a lengthy cruise of the Greek islands, bored Crawford hires a donkey (in a scene that must be seen to be believed!) and tours Naxos on her own. Running to escape bandits, she happens upon an excavation where Aherne is unearthing a buried statue. The pair proceeds to needle one other with Crawford deceiving Aherne into believing she's just a poor secretary and Aherne punishing her for exaggerating an injury. Despite this rocky first meeting, they fall in love and Aherne crosses the Atlantic to see her again. Unfortunately, she's already betrothed to New York hotshot Keating in a match that will greatly aid her father Morgan. Morgan exists under the thumb of his domineering mother-in-law Ralph and has striven to break free by taking some risky investments. Only a marriage between Keating and Crawford can save him. So Crawford has a big decision to make, regardless of whether she can adapt to having Aherne, a society outcast, as a husband! Much maneuvering and flip-flopping occurs, with comedy both genuine and forced, until the resolution. Crawford begins the film with a refreshing naturalness and ease. She's quite game for the physical needs of the role and looks great (her hair even moves in the early sequences!) Later, she's done up in some utterly humongous eyelashes and an array of body-swallowing Adrian creations which, though they were the height of fantasy clothing for the era, are often ludicrous and even unflattering! Somehow, her later scenes just can't match the light touch she started out with near the beginning. Aherne (who in certain shots and at certain angles resembles Jude Law) is appealing most of the time and, while hardly a star of the same caliber as Crawford, holds his own rather well. He and Crawford establish a chemistry that makes the audience root for them to survive as a couple. One tremendous asset to the film is Morgan. His inimitable delivery and assured performance is a joy to behold. He forms an appealing bond with Crawford, while essaying the cantankerous persona he excelled at in his career. No one, however, can outgrump Ralph as the old lady. Before she even appears, her dictates, mandates and orders are bandied about and her portraits loom on the various walls of homes and offices. The woman has a field day running roughshod over everyone in sight. Many other fine character actors from MGM's heyday appear in support as well. There is an unevenness in the film and it may not have been Crawford's forte, but one could certainly do worse than to check out this glossy, amiable film. Fans of "Mommie Dearest" will get a bit of a thrill watching Crawford trash the better part of a dressing room with lamps flying and pottery being smashed to bits. Crawford and Aherne would be reunited, briefly, in the film "The Best of Everything" as long-term co-workers of a book publishing firm.

Crawford is very funny in this follow up to the trend started by It Happened One Night. Brian Aherne is miscast, but the are a good looking couple and there is some chemistry there, although not as much as there would be with Tracy or Gable. None-the-less, Crawford added a nice comedy to her dossier and it wears well even today.