"Back in Circulation" is an energetic, fast-moving, and enjoyable movie experience centering on newspaper reporters, one of the more frequent story concerns of the 1930's. Pat O'Brien is top billed, but his high-volume barking and ordering grows tiresome...one begins to wonder why he would be of romantic interest for any woman who spends a lot of time with him, as he is work-obsessed, inconsiderate, bellicose, totally judgmental, and physically manipulative. His role is almost thankless and his character is on hand mostly to pave the way for Joan Blondell's character's existence.
On the other hand, Blondell and her character propel the film into its worthy status; Blondell is charming, pretty, alluring, sparkling, tenacious, and totally fun in her performance. This must have been a particularly satisfying role for an actress in the 1930's and she does it proud with her expressive eyes, confident walks-through, and smartly-delivered dialog, By the way, in the closing players list O'Brien is top billed but Blondell, listed on the second line, has a slightly bigger point and font (one wonders how this got worked out?).
With plenty of 1930's decor and locales to savor and many familiar actors, including Margaret Lindsay and Regis Toomey, to support the superlative Joan Blondell, "Back In Circulation" is very much worth the viewing.
On the other hand, Blondell and her character propel the film into its worthy status; Blondell is charming, pretty, alluring, sparkling, tenacious, and totally fun in her performance. This must have been a particularly satisfying role for an actress in the 1930's and she does it proud with her expressive eyes, confident walks-through, and smartly-delivered dialog, By the way, in the closing players list O'Brien is top billed but Blondell, listed on the second line, has a slightly bigger point and font (one wonders how this got worked out?).
With plenty of 1930's decor and locales to savor and many familiar actors, including Margaret Lindsay and Regis Toomey, to support the superlative Joan Blondell, "Back In Circulation" is very much worth the viewing.