Despite showcasing Mae West's undeniable sex and film appeal, this film is a bland, meandering mess that accomplishes nothing except have Mae West parade around for an hour in fancy costumes. I am simply flabbergasted as to how it was nominated for best picture. At 66 minutes long, the movie is still mainly filler and quite easily could be pared down to a 20/25 minute short film. Furthermore, Cary Grant is wasted in this film, although it was film roles like this one that propelled him to superstar status.
However, this film does have some redeeming historical qualities, mainly that this film was early in the careers of both Cary Grant and Mae West and propelled them both to better films. In the case of Cary Grant, much, much better films.
Furthermore, this film was released before Hollywood censorship came into full swing, so Mae West is afforded a degree of latitude with her brazen sexuality that would have been impossible to do in film for the next 25 years of so. So I can say I was shocked to hear some of the things that comes out of Mae West's mouth. Not so much shocked to hear them, but shocked to hear them coming from a film released in 1933.
Cary Grant fans, Mae West fans, and film history buffs need only check this one out.
However, this film does have some redeeming historical qualities, mainly that this film was early in the careers of both Cary Grant and Mae West and propelled them both to better films. In the case of Cary Grant, much, much better films.
Furthermore, this film was released before Hollywood censorship came into full swing, so Mae West is afforded a degree of latitude with her brazen sexuality that would have been impossible to do in film for the next 25 years of so. So I can say I was shocked to hear some of the things that comes out of Mae West's mouth. Not so much shocked to hear them, but shocked to hear them coming from a film released in 1933.
Cary Grant fans, Mae West fans, and film history buffs need only check this one out.