I was amazed at how few reviewers knew that this film was a remake of the far superior, 'Man In Possession', made in 1931 with Robert Montgomery and Irene Purcell. Reginald Owen returns as the obnoxious brother, Claude Dabney and Forrester Harvey returns as the Bailiff.
The original cast has a huge edge over this sad grouping. Robert Montgomery is way out in front of Robert Taylor in the key role of Raymond Dabney. Likewise, Irene Purcell delivers an incredibly, sexy, charming, classy and witty performance that is completely beyond anything Harlow is capable of. C Aubrey Smith is superb as the father in the original while E.E. Clive is clueless here. There's no end to it as Charlotte Greenwood mops of the floor with Una O' Connor as the maid, 'Clara'.
Jean Harlow is listless and pedestrian as Crystal Wetherby, a woman who is in danger of losing her home and possessions to the bailiff. Once the precode era was over, Harlow 'bulled' her way through many a performance, especially, 'The Girl From Missouri' where she shrieks with self righteous indignation from start to finish. Here, she's too distracted and puffy for a full fledged rampage, but gets off plenty of low-brow jabs at Robert Taylor that are weary and tiring after awhile. The situation is so bad that for those who haven't seen, 'Man In Possession', you'll be absolutely amazed how different that film comes off even though both films have the identical plot. The whole tone is different, the pace is lightning fast and Irene Purcell never ever at any time cuts the legs out from under Montgomery the way Harlow does to Taylor. For those of you who actually like this film, I suggest you see, 'Man In Possession' and your eyes will be opened.
The original cast has a huge edge over this sad grouping. Robert Montgomery is way out in front of Robert Taylor in the key role of Raymond Dabney. Likewise, Irene Purcell delivers an incredibly, sexy, charming, classy and witty performance that is completely beyond anything Harlow is capable of. C Aubrey Smith is superb as the father in the original while E.E. Clive is clueless here. There's no end to it as Charlotte Greenwood mops of the floor with Una O' Connor as the maid, 'Clara'.
Jean Harlow is listless and pedestrian as Crystal Wetherby, a woman who is in danger of losing her home and possessions to the bailiff. Once the precode era was over, Harlow 'bulled' her way through many a performance, especially, 'The Girl From Missouri' where she shrieks with self righteous indignation from start to finish. Here, she's too distracted and puffy for a full fledged rampage, but gets off plenty of low-brow jabs at Robert Taylor that are weary and tiring after awhile. The situation is so bad that for those who haven't seen, 'Man In Possession', you'll be absolutely amazed how different that film comes off even though both films have the identical plot. The whole tone is different, the pace is lightning fast and Irene Purcell never ever at any time cuts the legs out from under Montgomery the way Harlow does to Taylor. For those of you who actually like this film, I suggest you see, 'Man In Possession' and your eyes will be opened.