Julia(Claudette Colbert)is a very competent executive secretary for her busy department store manager boss Richard Barclay(Melvyn Douglas). For 6 years they've made a great team. For 6 years, Julia has been waiting for Richard to ask her to marry him. But, he's shown zero romantic interest in this gorgeous, brainy, woman. For one thing, seems he had a very bad experience with his ex-wife, and is shy about getting into another relationship. But when Julia gets a job offer in Paris at double salary, he's finally persuaded to marry her (with no wedding party frills) to avoid losing her help at the office. But, Julia has other ideas about what kind of life she wants as a married woman. She wants to be a pampered 'stay-at-home' wife and mother rather than continue the hectic life of a career woman.. At first, Richard argues against her idea. But when she's about to run off with a business associate, he gets drunk(along with the butler), and tells her she's going for a little ride(said with the suggestion of an ominous outcome). The drunk butler/chauffeur weaves through city traffic to a destination where they pick up a few bricks. She suggests they are going to weigh her down in a river drowning. Actually, they have another purpose for the bricks in the whirlwind finish, which I will let you find out for yourself.
The majority of the humor relates to Richard's bratty half-grown daughter Annabel(Edith Fellows). At first, she hates Judith and her unfamiliar ways. But, eventually, she comes to love her, and cries when she says she's running off with another man who treats her more like a woman than a work associate. If you remember "Bright Eyes", with Shirley Temple, you will remember Jane Withers playing Shirley's very bratty playmate as being very similar to Annabel. However, Annabel has no playmate to vent her anger and tricks on, except her cute little dog, Fluffy.
Richard's spinster sister, Gertrude(Katharine Alexander), who has been taking care of the house and Annabel has to get used to being second in command in the household. As an example of their sometimes conflicts, Gertrude pulls the drapes closed by day so the sun doesn't fade the carpets. Julia then opens the drapes, saying people need some sunshine, and drapes can eventually be replaced. It's clear that both Gertrude and Richard have been too soft on Annabel, and have no idea how to play with her to make her happy. Gertrude says she hopes the marriage will fail, as it leaves no role for her if Julia doesn't work outside the home.
Raymond Walburn, the butler/chauffeur, usually played somewhat comical characters, his 'bug eyes' facilitating his often bumbling mannerisms.....Jean Dixon plays Julia's scheming friend.... It's a rare film including Claudette that I don't take a liking to. This one is not her best, but it's not bad. See it on YouTube. in B&W, of course.
The majority of the humor relates to Richard's bratty half-grown daughter Annabel(Edith Fellows). At first, she hates Judith and her unfamiliar ways. But, eventually, she comes to love her, and cries when she says she's running off with another man who treats her more like a woman than a work associate. If you remember "Bright Eyes", with Shirley Temple, you will remember Jane Withers playing Shirley's very bratty playmate as being very similar to Annabel. However, Annabel has no playmate to vent her anger and tricks on, except her cute little dog, Fluffy.
Richard's spinster sister, Gertrude(Katharine Alexander), who has been taking care of the house and Annabel has to get used to being second in command in the household. As an example of their sometimes conflicts, Gertrude pulls the drapes closed by day so the sun doesn't fade the carpets. Julia then opens the drapes, saying people need some sunshine, and drapes can eventually be replaced. It's clear that both Gertrude and Richard have been too soft on Annabel, and have no idea how to play with her to make her happy. Gertrude says she hopes the marriage will fail, as it leaves no role for her if Julia doesn't work outside the home.
Raymond Walburn, the butler/chauffeur, usually played somewhat comical characters, his 'bug eyes' facilitating his often bumbling mannerisms.....Jean Dixon plays Julia's scheming friend.... It's a rare film including Claudette that I don't take a liking to. This one is not her best, but it's not bad. See it on YouTube. in B&W, of course.