A theatrical producer, Russ Ward, is facing a crisis. His last plays have not fared well with the public, and a new project by a well known playwright, who is facing a writing crisis, makes life impossible for Ward. When he thinks everything is lost, he gets an unexpected help by his own secretary, Elly, who on top of that, has loved him silently. Elly has an idea that might help the play, and is an inspiration because she, too, can act.
To complicate matters, Kathryn, Russ's former wife, figures the romance from the younger woman toward her ex-husband, and although they have remained in friendly terms, she does not appear to be happy with their possible union. As the play opens, it becomes a hit, and Gordon, the leading man, who has loved Elly, all along, finds a way to her heart even though she is still thinking about Russ. Everything is resolved at the end when Elly realizes that Gordon really cares for her.
The source of this comedy was a play by Samson Raphaelson, and adapted for the screen by John Mitchell Hayes. The direction is by Walter Lang, a veteran of Hollywood, who had a long career in the industry. The basic flaw with the film was the casting of Carroll Baker, who had made a sensation in Elia Kazan's "Baby Doll". She was terribly miscast as Elly, resulting in a dull reading of her character. On the other hand, Lilli Palmer makes a delicious appearance and almost steal the film, had her role been bigger. Clark Gable is not too convincing as Russ Ward, or Lee J. Cobb, one of the best actors of the American cinema, is also wasted. Charles Lane, and Thomas Gomez have some good moments.
To complicate matters, Kathryn, Russ's former wife, figures the romance from the younger woman toward her ex-husband, and although they have remained in friendly terms, she does not appear to be happy with their possible union. As the play opens, it becomes a hit, and Gordon, the leading man, who has loved Elly, all along, finds a way to her heart even though she is still thinking about Russ. Everything is resolved at the end when Elly realizes that Gordon really cares for her.
The source of this comedy was a play by Samson Raphaelson, and adapted for the screen by John Mitchell Hayes. The direction is by Walter Lang, a veteran of Hollywood, who had a long career in the industry. The basic flaw with the film was the casting of Carroll Baker, who had made a sensation in Elia Kazan's "Baby Doll". She was terribly miscast as Elly, resulting in a dull reading of her character. On the other hand, Lilli Palmer makes a delicious appearance and almost steal the film, had her role been bigger. Clark Gable is not too convincing as Russ Ward, or Lee J. Cobb, one of the best actors of the American cinema, is also wasted. Charles Lane, and Thomas Gomez have some good moments.