Cary Grant a Cop?
15 February 2010
Yes, it's true. The actor who in a few years would become the ultimate symbol of film sophistication and elegance has the role of a policeman in this fairly routine comedy-drama. But no matter. Grant has enough charm and grace to make even this kind of part his own. How did he do it? Grant just stands out and is so likable while a lesser actor would just walk through this rather thankless assignment.

Joan Bennett played the kind of sassy brassy part that was often taken on by the likes of Ginger Rogers or Joan Blondell. Did anyone else catch her throwaway line that mirrored Mae West's famous "come up and see me sometime?" Many folks don't remember that Bennett was a blond BEFORE she became better known to later movie audiences as a brunette. Does anyone know of any other famous actress who made such a transition? Not me.

The rest of the cast did serviceable work in the film. Douglas Fowley, who played a humorous bit as one of the crooks, is far better known to most film audiences as the harried movie director in "Singing in the Rain," who had to deal with the chaotic and riotous problems of bringing sound to what were formerly silent movies.

But this film belongs to its male lead. You can almost see in watching the movies he made at this time just how he developed the layers of "business" that came together to produce the screen personality we all know as Cary Grant. He may have been paying his dues by taking on this fairly routine role. In the long run----we are all the better for it. Cary Grant was one of the greatest screen actors of all time----maybe the greatest.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed