writers_reign This is the only movie I know of that boasts three directors and seventeen writers, the majority uncredited, and I have to say, alas, that it shows. It's saved to a certain extent by Harry Davenport clearly honing his charm for the forthcoming (six years later) Meet me In St Louis, but unfortunately there are large gaps where Davenport is off screen and none of the rest of the cast are up to covering for him. At times it seems as if the seventeen writers have 'borrowed' from seventeen different films in an implausible story about a woman who is at once naive and bored with her sheltered life masquerading as a maid and eloping with a rodeo rider. I could go on but you'd never believe it.

ksf-2 The film opens with a dinner scene, where we learn that someone is running for office; cut to the two brothers Hannibal (Harry Davenport, always played the kindly uncle or judge) and Horace Smith (Henry Kolker), lamenting about the antics of Horace's daughter Mary ( Merle Oberon ). There's the setup of the movie, and being filmed in the prime of the Hayes Code, we know there will be comical, but innocent , simple, misunderstandings. Love the symbolism of Mary knocking over the "house of cards" she has built on the coffee table. Great scene where she talks about the rules of dating with the maids (the hilarious Patsy Kellly & Mabel Todd). Enter Gary Cooper as the polite cowboy "Stretch Willoughby". Say no more. Just watch for the ups and downs as sidekick Walter Brennan makes wisecracks to help the plot along, along with some slapstick physical comedy. Also check out the cast of thousands in the writer category, which includes greats Anita Loos, Dorothy Parker. Directed by Henry Potter, who would make THREE movies with Cary Grant! Fun, but probably would have been more hilarious if it had been filmed prior to the production code.

preciousladyg2 I saw this movie recently on TCM and for the most part, loved it!I liked the shy, bumbling character of "Stretch" and the sheltered, Mary who fell hard for him.Of course, being sheltered, she was limited in her experience with men.But fortunately, she fell hard for a man with character and who loved her truly.I knew that when she lied and misrepresented herself that she would be caught.I especially loved the night when they married. It was a sweet throwback to an earlier time when single ladies weren't in single men's rooms at night or any time for that matter! It wasn't proper in 1938. It was very sweet and romantic for Stretch to propose marriage. His search for a wife was over!Here are my slight criticisms:Also, unsure if I can believe that his REAL name was "Stretch".Then, there are the scenes where Mary was at the rodeo cleaning up. She became filthy and her dress was torn as a result.I would think that she could have had her maids send her some clothes or wire her some money so she could purchase some clothes and toiletries. Or even ask her new husband to purchase her some clothes. There was a scene where she attempted to purchase some pants but was interrupted by the phone call. Why didn't she or Stretch purchase clothing and toiletries for her she before she boarded the bus?Even rich ladies have to bathe and look presentable. A rich lady with her background wouldn't travel on the train for 3 days in a filthy, torn dress and unwashed. Suppose her dad and his friends had ALREADY arrived when she got there? How would she explain her appearance?Also, the scene in the framework of the house lasted a little too long, in my opinion.But other than that: I enjoyed this movie! Gary and Merle were great in the leads!

bolangirl I love this movie for several reasons, the plot, the acting and the beautiful cinematography. There are beach scenes and others that have a dreamlike, gauzy quality that I really love. Gary Cooper is the naive but cute cowboy and Merle as Mary the wealthy socialite who tries to hide it from him. She doesn't mean any harm, she's lonely and isolated and finds herself in an awkard situation that gets worse quickly. Don't miss Walter Brennan as his sidekick (as usual) and the other fun characters throughout this sweet and fun movie.