TCM's star tribute to JEAN ARTHUR included a few of her early films, some of which are on the weak side, as is IF YOU COULD ONLY COOK. With a brief running time of an hour and ten minutes, it might have been ideal for the bottom half of a double feature back in the '30s, yet it opened as an A-film at New York's Roxy theater. But what can I tell you? Not every film TCM shows is really what we call a "classic".
HERBERT MARSHALL is Jean's husband, who poses with Jean, as a servant in the home of a mobster. Marshall is a bored designer for an automobile manufacturer mistaken for being unemployed by Arthur who's job hunting and sees an ad for a husband and wife team. She talks Marshall into joining forces so they can find work.
Marshall, who says he's "fishing for something better to do with his life" proves to be quite adept at light comedy rather than the heavier material usually associated with him. His scenes with Arthur have every bit as much sparkle as those she did with stars like William Powell or Cary Grant.
Both stars are warm and appealing in roles that could have been written expressly for them. LIONEL STANDER and LEO CARILLO are amusing in supporting roles as the mobsters who hire the housekeeping team, with Stander suspicious of both of them from the start.
JEAN ARTHUR, as the girl who has faith in Marshall's auto designs, was never one of my favorites but she's on good display here and HERBERT MARSHALL is much less stiff than usual. Basically a romantic comedy, it turns screwball for the frantic ending.
Fans of the stars should find it an enjoyable romp that passes the time pleasantly.
Summing up: Strictly fluff.
HERBERT MARSHALL is Jean's husband, who poses with Jean, as a servant in the home of a mobster. Marshall is a bored designer for an automobile manufacturer mistaken for being unemployed by Arthur who's job hunting and sees an ad for a husband and wife team. She talks Marshall into joining forces so they can find work.
Marshall, who says he's "fishing for something better to do with his life" proves to be quite adept at light comedy rather than the heavier material usually associated with him. His scenes with Arthur have every bit as much sparkle as those she did with stars like William Powell or Cary Grant.
Both stars are warm and appealing in roles that could have been written expressly for them. LIONEL STANDER and LEO CARILLO are amusing in supporting roles as the mobsters who hire the housekeeping team, with Stander suspicious of both of them from the start.
JEAN ARTHUR, as the girl who has faith in Marshall's auto designs, was never one of my favorites but she's on good display here and HERBERT MARSHALL is much less stiff than usual. Basically a romantic comedy, it turns screwball for the frantic ending.
Fans of the stars should find it an enjoyable romp that passes the time pleasantly.
Summing up: Strictly fluff.