Reporter Wallace Cook has been demoted to writing obituaries after being taken in by a charlatan who went on to humiliate his boss when he was exposed. Hoping to return to 'proper' reporting he manages to persuade his boss to let him write a piece about a Vermont girl, Hazel Flagg, who is dying of radium poisoning. He heads to Vermont to find her but just before they meet she learns that the doctor has made a mistake
one would expect her to be happy but the company she worked for had offered her a trip to see the sights of New York before she died and she was desperate to get out of her small town.
When Wallace tells her that his paper wants to take her to New York and give her the best visit ever she doesn't hesitate to accept; surely it won't matter if she is 'dying' for a bit longer. Wallace takes her, along with her doctor, to New York and soon she is having a great time and everybody wants to be seen with this 'brave dying girl'. Wallace points out that half the people they see are phoneys which of course makes her feel guilty but she can't think of a way out of her lie. Of course she will eventually be found out but by then Wallace has fallen for her and others feel it would be embarrassing for themselves if the truth comes out.
Given that this film is eighty years old it remains surprisingly fresh; the idea of having somebody perpetuating a lie to achieve fame and have a good time it timeless but seems especially believable in this celebrity obsessed time. The story is told in a way that is just about plausible and provides plenty of laughs. Fredric March did a good job as Wallace but it is Carole Lombard who dominates the film as Hazel; she makes her the most likable character despite the fact that we know she is a fraud at least she acknowledges this to herself unlike many other characters. The supporting cast is pretty solid as well. While this is obviously a comedy there is some drama too as the question of what will ultimately happen to Hazel is raised what does happen, not surprisingly, suits the light tone of the film. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody who enjoys older films or who wants a gentle comedy with no offensive material.
When Wallace tells her that his paper wants to take her to New York and give her the best visit ever she doesn't hesitate to accept; surely it won't matter if she is 'dying' for a bit longer. Wallace takes her, along with her doctor, to New York and soon she is having a great time and everybody wants to be seen with this 'brave dying girl'. Wallace points out that half the people they see are phoneys which of course makes her feel guilty but she can't think of a way out of her lie. Of course she will eventually be found out but by then Wallace has fallen for her and others feel it would be embarrassing for themselves if the truth comes out.
Given that this film is eighty years old it remains surprisingly fresh; the idea of having somebody perpetuating a lie to achieve fame and have a good time it timeless but seems especially believable in this celebrity obsessed time. The story is told in a way that is just about plausible and provides plenty of laughs. Fredric March did a good job as Wallace but it is Carole Lombard who dominates the film as Hazel; she makes her the most likable character despite the fact that we know she is a fraud at least she acknowledges this to herself unlike many other characters. The supporting cast is pretty solid as well. While this is obviously a comedy there is some drama too as the question of what will ultimately happen to Hazel is raised what does happen, not surprisingly, suits the light tone of the film. Overall I'd recommend this to anybody who enjoys older films or who wants a gentle comedy with no offensive material.