I had always thought George Brent rather wooden and recessive--the reason so many tempestuous leading ladies loved acting opposite him (no chance of being outshone). But as Ruth Chatterton's would-be lover (they married after making the movie), he is very sweet, even exciting at times, and shows genuine enthusiasm when grappling with her in the back of a taxi.
Unfortunately, Ruth allows only hugs and a stolen kiss and then fights him off, in a manner more suited to a frightened teenager than to a middle-aged woman. (Though we are told that her character is 30, Ruth was actually ten years older; Brent was 28.) This happens even though she is divorced from a husband who left her for a petulant little drip half her age. Although Brent keeps proposing marriage, she thinks it's too soon, and lectures him in such arch dialogue as "You're not the least attractive of men, and I'm not the least susceptible of women." We are supposed to admire Ruth for being chaste and noble, but today she just seems ridiculous.
Wasted and demeaned in the movie is a young and very beautiful Bette Davis, who is in love with Brent, and follows him everywhere, annoying him with endless silly chatter. In real life as well Davis was keen on Brent but he wasn't interested. But only two years later his marriage to Chatterton had ended, her career was nearly over, and Bette had made Of Human Bondage, which made her a star. Talk about backing the wrong horse!
Unfortunately, Ruth allows only hugs and a stolen kiss and then fights him off, in a manner more suited to a frightened teenager than to a middle-aged woman. (Though we are told that her character is 30, Ruth was actually ten years older; Brent was 28.) This happens even though she is divorced from a husband who left her for a petulant little drip half her age. Although Brent keeps proposing marriage, she thinks it's too soon, and lectures him in such arch dialogue as "You're not the least attractive of men, and I'm not the least susceptible of women." We are supposed to admire Ruth for being chaste and noble, but today she just seems ridiculous.
Wasted and demeaned in the movie is a young and very beautiful Bette Davis, who is in love with Brent, and follows him everywhere, annoying him with endless silly chatter. In real life as well Davis was keen on Brent but he wasn't interested. But only two years later his marriage to Chatterton had ended, her career was nearly over, and Bette had made Of Human Bondage, which made her a star. Talk about backing the wrong horse!