In this very sweet and charming picture, Claudette Colbert is Marilyn David, a girl divided between two men. One is an English nobleman traveling unknown (Lord Granton/Charles Gray, played by Ray Milland) and the other a friend reporter (Peter Daws, played by Fred MacMurray, in his good old American style). Colbert has a strong friendship bond with MacMurray - they meet each other every Thursday to sit on a bench, take off the shoes and eat popcorn while the world is passing by - while Milland is just that kind of guy women fall for. It is a lovely picture, with a predictable ending, but representing very well a reasonable woman exercising her selection privileges during the good old times, when marriage was meaningful and fidelity and trust where more valuable then gold. There is no use in putting here a good word for Colbert. After all, as everybody knows, she is just fantastic.
20 Reviews
plenty of fun, wit & beauty
mukava99131 December 2009
THE GILDED LILY packs a lot of good-natured fun into a standard Paramount assembly line product. Claudette Colbert, perhaps never more perfectly photographed and framed, plays an office worker torn between two handsome young suitors: a brash newspaper reporter (Fred MacMurray) and a cultivated Englishman (Ray Milland, who, unbeknownst to Colbert, is actually a duke traveling in the States under an assumed name to avoid the press). The plot picks up when Colbert discovers Milland's true identity (via MacMurray who by chance is assigned to do a story on him), whereupon emotions take over, spin out of control and create a whole new world of developments, including Colbert's overnight rise to celebrity-by- association, which relocates her from workaday surroundings to nightclub dressing rooms and luxury hotels, from simple lace collars to glittery evening gowns. There is no logical explanation for how she could become so closely involved with Milland, yet know nothing about him other than the fact that he is English and has no job. But we must suspend disbelief so that the plot can develop.
The first half is the best, beginning charmingly as Colbert and MacMurray's friendly- flirtatious relationship is established on a bench outside the main branch of the New York Public Library where they meet each Thursday to eat popcorn, chat and watch the world go by. Their dialogue provides all the exposition we will need: he is in love with her, plain and simple; she isn't in love with him, because her vision of love is based on an ideal fantasy which no reality has ever matched. From this introduction we are taken on a lively ride as she is soon swept off her feet by Milland in the surging chaos of a packed subway station. Following is a series of beautifully written scenes, expertly played by Colbert, charting the giddiness of falling madly in love through the descent into despair when that love suddenly appears to be a cruel illusion. The peak occurs when Colbert exquisitely botches a nightclub song-and-dance act intended to launch her as a marketable celebrity.
Thereafter the story sags and gets mechanical, contracting into the old "which suitor shall I choose" routine, but momentum resumes toward the end. Even at its lowest points, however, just the beauty of the three main faces in close up is enough to hold interest. It is impossible to judge which of Colbert's many light comedy performances is the finest, but this one would have to be in the top five. MacMurray and Milland are perfectly cast as the opposite love interests. They resemble each other in build, height and hair color, so that even accounting for Milland's accent and slightly more reserved demeanor we can see why it's so difficult for Colbert to choose between them. The resemblance is most pronounced when the men appear together in formal attire.
The first half is the best, beginning charmingly as Colbert and MacMurray's friendly- flirtatious relationship is established on a bench outside the main branch of the New York Public Library where they meet each Thursday to eat popcorn, chat and watch the world go by. Their dialogue provides all the exposition we will need: he is in love with her, plain and simple; she isn't in love with him, because her vision of love is based on an ideal fantasy which no reality has ever matched. From this introduction we are taken on a lively ride as she is soon swept off her feet by Milland in the surging chaos of a packed subway station. Following is a series of beautifully written scenes, expertly played by Colbert, charting the giddiness of falling madly in love through the descent into despair when that love suddenly appears to be a cruel illusion. The peak occurs when Colbert exquisitely botches a nightclub song-and-dance act intended to launch her as a marketable celebrity.
Thereafter the story sags and gets mechanical, contracting into the old "which suitor shall I choose" routine, but momentum resumes toward the end. Even at its lowest points, however, just the beauty of the three main faces in close up is enough to hold interest. It is impossible to judge which of Colbert's many light comedy performances is the finest, but this one would have to be in the top five. MacMurray and Milland are perfectly cast as the opposite love interests. They resemble each other in build, height and hair color, so that even accounting for Milland's accent and slightly more reserved demeanor we can see why it's so difficult for Colbert to choose between them. The resemblance is most pronounced when the men appear together in formal attire.
Colbert AND MacMurray AND Milland...that's a pretty amazing cast.
planktonrules29 March 2018
Marilyn (Claudette Colbert) meets a nice guy, Charles Gray (Ray Milland) and they fall for each other. What she doesn't know is that this rich member of the British royalty already is engaged...and when he pops the question to her, she rejects him. Her friend, Peter (Fred MacMurray), is a newspaper man and helps her exploit the situation...creating a lounge act for her and billing her as 'The NO Girl'. While she has no singing ability, he insists that this won't be a problem! And, oddly, she becomes quite the sensation.
When she takes her show on the road to the UK, a potential problem arises....Charles. When they meet again, they pick up where they left off...and Pete feels left out...which would seem to indicate he wants her to be more than just his business partner. What's next? See the film...and see who she picks.
Considering the actors, it's not surprising that the movie works quite well. Charming and well worth seeing.
When she takes her show on the road to the UK, a potential problem arises....Charles. When they meet again, they pick up where they left off...and Pete feels left out...which would seem to indicate he wants her to be more than just his business partner. What's next? See the film...and see who she picks.
Considering the actors, it's not surprising that the movie works quite well. Charming and well worth seeing.
30's Love Triangle
movingpicturegal9 September 2007
Entertaining romantic comedy starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray as a pair who have a "date" each Thursday meeting on a city bench to eat popcorn together, sans shoes. He seems to be in love with her, but she longs to meet her dream man for her idea of an ideal romance. And she does - in the form of handsome Ray Milland, who assists her in a crowd situation on the subway. They have a fun date together at Coney Island where the camera takes us on a wild ride on the roller coaster with them; they fall in love instantly. She thinks he's out of a job - he doesn't tell her he is a Lord (and has a fiancée back home in England!). But when she sees his picture in the paper (coincidentally attached to a story done by MacMurray, a reporter) she believes she's been duped. Follows a series of publicity newspaper stories, out of her control, which causes her to become famous as "The No Girl" for saying "no" to a lord. Then he thinks she was just in the whole relationship with him for the publicity. Well, based on her huge public fame, she is amazingly hired to sing and dance in her own solo nightclub act - even though, as seen in a quite amusing performance scene, she has zero talent!
This is a fun, enjoyable romp - a little frustrating in the way of many romantic comedies in which you feel like you know a couple should be together, but misunderstandings have caused them to remain apart. The ending of this was not particularly what I hoped to see either. But - Claudette Colbert sparkles as always, she's great. Fred MacMurray also does a fine job in his part, Ray Milland looks very young, handsome and, well, rather dashing! One thing I wondered about in this film - why are the Colbert and MacMurray characters so satisfied with just a date on a bench once a week, how come they never desire to get together for a dinner out, go to a movie, or any other normal type activity?! Seemed a bit odd to me. All in all, a quite enjoyable film.
This is a fun, enjoyable romp - a little frustrating in the way of many romantic comedies in which you feel like you know a couple should be together, but misunderstandings have caused them to remain apart. The ending of this was not particularly what I hoped to see either. But - Claudette Colbert sparkles as always, she's great. Fred MacMurray also does a fine job in his part, Ray Milland looks very young, handsome and, well, rather dashing! One thing I wondered about in this film - why are the Colbert and MacMurray characters so satisfied with just a date on a bench once a week, how come they never desire to get together for a dinner out, go to a movie, or any other normal type activity?! Seemed a bit odd to me. All in all, a quite enjoyable film.
beautiful Claudette
blanche-225 December 2010
Claudette Colbert is Marilyn, "The Gilded Lily" in this 1935 film also starring Ray Milland and Fred MacMurray. Colbert plays a young woman who hangs out with a reporter friend, Peter, (MacMurray) as she waits to be swept off her feet. Enter Milland as Charles, a duke visiting the U.S. incognito. They fall in love, and he decides that he wants to marry her instead of his fiancée back in England. His father (C. Aubrey Smith) talks him into breaking up with the fiancé the honorable way: return to England, see her face to face, and then return to the states. Peter, who has no idea that Charles is Marilyn's dream man, gets wind of the royalty and blows their identity in the paper. Marilyn thinks Charles lied to her about his feelings and is simply returning to England to get married. When Peter realizes Marilyn fell for Charles, his paper does a scandal sheet-type job on Marilyn. Before she knows it, she's the '30s version of a Tiger Woods' girlfriend and launched into a singing career.
It's all very odd -- MacMurray acts like a total jerk, and Charles apparently assumes she's been sleeping with Peter and invites her for a weekend at an inn when she's in England doing her act. She really should have dumped both of them, but she chooses one instead.
Colbert is very beautiful, and this was a breakthrough role for MacMurray. Milland is very charming - he came up through the ranks slowly and can be seen uncredited in "The Man who Played God" in 1931.
Dated but pleasant, basically thanks to Colbert.
It's all very odd -- MacMurray acts like a total jerk, and Charles apparently assumes she's been sleeping with Peter and invites her for a weekend at an inn when she's in England doing her act. She really should have dumped both of them, but she chooses one instead.
Colbert is very beautiful, and this was a breakthrough role for MacMurray. Milland is very charming - he came up through the ranks slowly and can be seen uncredited in "The Man who Played God" in 1931.
Dated but pleasant, basically thanks to Colbert.
misunderstandings snowball until....
ksf-213 January 2021
Get that cast... Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Aubrey Smith, Ray Milland, Don Meeks. all so good. Marilyn (Colbert) and Pete (Mac) are buddies, working in new york city. When Marilyn bumps into Charles Gray (Milland), she gets all flustered, and they spend the next couple days running around the city together. but Gray must return to england to break it off with his fiancee. Marilyn sees the photos of Lord Gray in the paper, and thinks he has lied to her... he had, but only to break it off with the one back home. another little problem that snowballs into something much bigger, since someone couldn't tell the truth to begin with. Marilyn hits it big as a singer, and now things really turn around for her. can they pick up where they left off? Aubrey Smith was always the uncle, the congressman, the wise judge. here, he's Gray's father, and wants to avoid any whiff of scandal to protect the family name. Colbert and Milland had been around hollywood a bit, but this was one of MacMurray's first credited roles. it's fun to watch it all happen. liberal use of backdrops. clearly there was a magic between Colbert and Mac. directed by Wes Ruggles.was nominated for Cimarron. he had started in EARLY silents as an actor, and carried on with directing, into the talkies. had worked with the Chaplins. his brother Charles Ruggles was hilarious in so many comedies. Watch this one. shame they don't show it very often.
A stupid 30s comedy.
fedor811 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Lame ol' comedy that is as unfunny as it is absurd in plot. I mean, did I miss something?... Colbert gets the WRONG man in the end! She ends up with MacMurray instead of Milland. MacMurray plays a deceitful journalist who'd sell his own mother for a good story, plus he ruins Colbert's romance with Milland out of sheer jealousy - yet he is the one we are supposed to find likable, whereas Milland is supposed to be a snob! This is the only (comedy) film - as far as memory serves me - that has the girl getting the wrong guy. Besides, MacMurray is bland.
It was weird seeing a young Milland; I don't know if I would have recognized him very quickly had I not read his name in the opening titles. MacMurray had his breakthrough with this movie, and only God knows why. Colbert is charming and cute, and does her best but the script offers little.
There is the absurd way in which Colbert and Milland fall into a dumb bad-comedy-style "misunderstanding". Later, when MacMurray publishes lies about Colbert she isn't even properly angry at him! Jesus, even comedies have to follow SOME basic logic regarding human behaviour.
It was weird seeing a young Milland; I don't know if I would have recognized him very quickly had I not read his name in the opening titles. MacMurray had his breakthrough with this movie, and only God knows why. Colbert is charming and cute, and does her best but the script offers little.
There is the absurd way in which Colbert and Milland fall into a dumb bad-comedy-style "misunderstanding". Later, when MacMurray publishes lies about Colbert she isn't even properly angry at him! Jesus, even comedies have to follow SOME basic logic regarding human behaviour.
Eat popcorn and watch the world go by
gary_sites14 November 2020
gilded lily
mossgrymk5 December 2020
So so rom com. Basically any scene with Colbert/MacMurray on a bench eating popcorn and talking is worth the price of admission. However, there is a rather large drop off when Ray Milland enters the film, and the subsidiary characters sure could have been funnier, especially Luis Alberni and Donald Meek whose mountains of comic skills are mostly skirted. It all adds up to a generous C plus, mostly for the two pros on the bench who could read a Tim Kaine speech and render it interesting. PS...Dumb title. What's a gilded lily, anyway? Shoulda been called "The No Girl".
What It Takes To Be A Celebrity
bkoganbing27 November 2008
Claudette Colbert was given two of Paramount's up and coming leading men in The Gilded Lily which holds up very well today because it talks about the cult of celebrity. Ray Milland and Fred MacMurray co-starred with her and in MacMurray's fifth film he became a star.
Fred's a reporter and Claudette's a secretary and they have a regular Thursday date on a bench near the main public library in Bryant Park in New York. They talk about the state of the human condition while munching on popcorn. But one fine day Claudette runs into Ray Milland who is traveling incognito in the USA, he's a titled English Earl whose got a playboy reputation and a fiancé back across the pond.
MacMurray as it were happens to spot Milland and his father C. Aubrey Smith as they're boarding the boat back for the United Kingdom. His reporter instinct takes over and he breaks the story of Milland and Colbert and overnight he creates a celebrity, 'the No Girl.'
What to do, but try and exploit this all around and Claudette working class secretary one day becomes a celebrity like Zsa Zsa Gabor, Pia Zadora, or Jessica Hahn. The cult of celebrity was just beginning back in the day and The Gilded Lily is one of the first films to deal with that phenomenon.
Though MacMurray got his big break in this film after four other films which he didn't make much of an impact, the film really does belong to Claudette Colbert. She's got some great comic moments here, getting drunk and passing out under a nightclub table while MacMurray and owner Luis Alberni are discussing putting her in his club.
Of course Claudette doesn't sing or dance or do card tricks, so what will she do once she gets there. Another great moment is Claudette taking singing lessons from an exasperated Leonid Kinskey. This might have been the inspiration for the scene where Fortunio Bonanova tries to resign from giving singing lessons to Dorothy Comingore in Citizen Kane. Of course this one is played strictly for laughs as poor Colbert tries to croak out a song.
Claudette Colbert doesn't sing or dance or do card tricks, but give her her due as one of the best screen comediennes films had back in the Thirties. She's at her very best in The Gilded Lily and what the film says about celebrities and what it takes to be one is probably more true today than back in 1935. Don't miss this one if broadcast
Fred's a reporter and Claudette's a secretary and they have a regular Thursday date on a bench near the main public library in Bryant Park in New York. They talk about the state of the human condition while munching on popcorn. But one fine day Claudette runs into Ray Milland who is traveling incognito in the USA, he's a titled English Earl whose got a playboy reputation and a fiancé back across the pond.
MacMurray as it were happens to spot Milland and his father C. Aubrey Smith as they're boarding the boat back for the United Kingdom. His reporter instinct takes over and he breaks the story of Milland and Colbert and overnight he creates a celebrity, 'the No Girl.'
What to do, but try and exploit this all around and Claudette working class secretary one day becomes a celebrity like Zsa Zsa Gabor, Pia Zadora, or Jessica Hahn. The cult of celebrity was just beginning back in the day and The Gilded Lily is one of the first films to deal with that phenomenon.
Though MacMurray got his big break in this film after four other films which he didn't make much of an impact, the film really does belong to Claudette Colbert. She's got some great comic moments here, getting drunk and passing out under a nightclub table while MacMurray and owner Luis Alberni are discussing putting her in his club.
Of course Claudette doesn't sing or dance or do card tricks, so what will she do once she gets there. Another great moment is Claudette taking singing lessons from an exasperated Leonid Kinskey. This might have been the inspiration for the scene where Fortunio Bonanova tries to resign from giving singing lessons to Dorothy Comingore in Citizen Kane. Of course this one is played strictly for laughs as poor Colbert tries to croak out a song.
Claudette Colbert doesn't sing or dance or do card tricks, but give her her due as one of the best screen comediennes films had back in the Thirties. She's at her very best in The Gilded Lily and what the film says about celebrities and what it takes to be one is probably more true today than back in 1935. Don't miss this one if broadcast
Odd Pacing
boblipton13 November 2020
Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray are pals. They meet every Thursday evening on the stone benches of the New York Public Library, to eat popcorn and watch the world go by. When she falls in love with incognito British lord Ray Milland, MacMurray seems happy for her. When he vanishes with a misunderstanding, MacMurray promotes her as the "No" Girl, the one who walked out on Milland.
In the first of their seven pairings, MacMurray, in his second credited role, benefits greatly from the snappy dialogue, Despite that, there's an odd stop-and-start quality to the movie, as each shift in the plot is laboriously chewed over before anything happens. This kills the energy of the movie, only for director Wesley Ruggles to use the laborious set-up to execute a very funny gag sequence.
It's frequently maddening, but besides the wealth of supporting actors, including C. Aubrey Smith, Grace Bradley, Louis Alberni, and Tom Dugan -- all of whom seem to appear in one shot for for one gag -- there's one thing this movie has going for it: MacMurray and Miss Colbert seem utterly comfortable together. contrast them with Milland, whose Transatlantic accent sounds odd for his role, and doesn't seem to be invested in any of his lines. could this have been a deliberate choice, to make the two leads seem more simpatico?
In the first of their seven pairings, MacMurray, in his second credited role, benefits greatly from the snappy dialogue, Despite that, there's an odd stop-and-start quality to the movie, as each shift in the plot is laboriously chewed over before anything happens. This kills the energy of the movie, only for director Wesley Ruggles to use the laborious set-up to execute a very funny gag sequence.
It's frequently maddening, but besides the wealth of supporting actors, including C. Aubrey Smith, Grace Bradley, Louis Alberni, and Tom Dugan -- all of whom seem to appear in one shot for for one gag -- there's one thing this movie has going for it: MacMurray and Miss Colbert seem utterly comfortable together. contrast them with Milland, whose Transatlantic accent sounds odd for his role, and doesn't seem to be invested in any of his lines. could this have been a deliberate choice, to make the two leads seem more simpatico?
Life in a goldfish bowl!!!
kidboots19 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Sassy and feminine is how I would describe Claudette Colbert. Fred MacMurray and Claudette were teamed in 7 films - almost all of them frothy comedies. Although they were an unlikely duo something about them clicked with the public who found them a perfect match. This was their first pairing - she was a veteran of nearly 30 films and a big star, he was a gangly newcomer, who had had the juvenile lead in a minor film "Grand Old Girl" starring May Robson, but they displayed great chemistry together. "The Gilded Lily" poked fun at the craze for celebrities (has anything changed!!)
Claudette plays Marilyn David, a stenographer (Colbert had once been one in her pre-acting days). She and Peter Dawes (Fred MacMurray), a celebrity reporter have a regular Thursday night date where they shoot the breeze in the local park, debating the merits of peanuts verses popcorn. She wants to marry (just not to him), settle down and cook and clean for her man. He feels that if anyone had a chance at fame or celebrity they would grab it.
Marilyn meets Charles Gray (Ray Milland) in a subway scuffle. It is love at first sight and they spend a fun day at Luna Park. She is very concerned that he doesn't have a job and makes him promise to find one but unbeknownst to her he is really a Lord !!! and also engaged to an English girl. Charles' father (C. Aubrey Smith) tells him he must go back to England and break his engagement if he wants to make it alright with Marilyn, who Charles tells that he is leaving town for a few weeks in search of work. Peter is given an assignment to get some pictures of Lord Gray and when Marilyn sees his picture in the paper she feels betrayed - she didn't know he was a Lord!!!!
Peter concocts a story about her broken romance - how she was jilted but still believes in love. Of course Marilyn has no knowledge of the story but she still becomes a celebrity, known as the "No Girl"!!! She is hired to do an act in a run down nightclub. It is the funniest sequence - she is a sensation!!! She goes on, forgets the words to her song, does an impromptu dance, falls over - "I'm a freak!!!" and the crowd goes wild!!!
It is a great satire on what it is like to be a celebrity. Even though Pete started it, he realises that he has created a monster. She has so many obligations they never get a chance to see each other. Gray comes back on the scene but only to bask in her notoriety. This is a super film that is highly recommended.
Claudette plays Marilyn David, a stenographer (Colbert had once been one in her pre-acting days). She and Peter Dawes (Fred MacMurray), a celebrity reporter have a regular Thursday night date where they shoot the breeze in the local park, debating the merits of peanuts verses popcorn. She wants to marry (just not to him), settle down and cook and clean for her man. He feels that if anyone had a chance at fame or celebrity they would grab it.
Marilyn meets Charles Gray (Ray Milland) in a subway scuffle. It is love at first sight and they spend a fun day at Luna Park. She is very concerned that he doesn't have a job and makes him promise to find one but unbeknownst to her he is really a Lord !!! and also engaged to an English girl. Charles' father (C. Aubrey Smith) tells him he must go back to England and break his engagement if he wants to make it alright with Marilyn, who Charles tells that he is leaving town for a few weeks in search of work. Peter is given an assignment to get some pictures of Lord Gray and when Marilyn sees his picture in the paper she feels betrayed - she didn't know he was a Lord!!!!
Peter concocts a story about her broken romance - how she was jilted but still believes in love. Of course Marilyn has no knowledge of the story but she still becomes a celebrity, known as the "No Girl"!!! She is hired to do an act in a run down nightclub. It is the funniest sequence - she is a sensation!!! She goes on, forgets the words to her song, does an impromptu dance, falls over - "I'm a freak!!!" and the crowd goes wild!!!
It is a great satire on what it is like to be a celebrity. Even though Pete started it, he realises that he has created a monster. She has so many obligations they never get a chance to see each other. Gray comes back on the scene but only to bask in her notoriety. This is a super film that is highly recommended.
She's just a girl who does say no!
mark.waltz20 December 2010
Warning: Spoilers
And that's to the type of man any 30's shop-girl would want. The girl is Claudette Colbert and the boy is Ray Milland, a British Lord who is incognito as a tourist. In a Pat O'Brien type role, Fred MacMurray is the guy Colbert obviously loves as evidenced by their recurring scenes right outside the main library in New York on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue. In fact, the stone seats they take over are still there today! Colbert gets a bit of notoriety because she publicly rejects him when she finds out who he really is, and ends up singing at a fancy nightclub even though she really has no talent as a singer. The scene where she fumbles the song but brings her audience to laughter by ad-libbing is very funny. However, the dress she wears (with a huge feather in her nose) is tacky.
It's obvious whom she'll end up choosing, but it's how she makes the choice that will keep audience's interest and the trouble she gets into as she makes up her mind. This isn't one of the better 30's screwball comedies as it's not a great script, and the story has been done better. There are, however, some great scenes of 30's New York on the subway and in Coney Island that are of interest today. Colbert and MacMurray do share a good chemistry, which is why they appeared in more than half a dozen similar films over a 15 year period.
It's obvious whom she'll end up choosing, but it's how she makes the choice that will keep audience's interest and the trouble she gets into as she makes up her mind. This isn't one of the better 30's screwball comedies as it's not a great script, and the story has been done better. There are, however, some great scenes of 30's New York on the subway and in Coney Island that are of interest today. Colbert and MacMurray do share a good chemistry, which is why they appeared in more than half a dozen similar films over a 15 year period.
Something About Romance
lugonian9 February 2020
THE GILDED LILY (Paramount, 1935), directed by Wesley Ruggles, suggested by the story by Melville Baker and Jack Kirkland, is a delightful comedy starring Claudette Colbert in her first pairing opposite two young actors on the rise: Fred MacMurray and Ray Milland. Though Colbert had already starred in earlier comedies as THREE-CORNERED MOON (Paramount, 1933) and her loan-out assignment of IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (Columbia, 1934), for which she won the Academy Award as Best Actress, THE GILDED LILY would actually be the start in similar themes such as this, several more opposite MacMurray up to 1948. Asnmuch as THE GILDED LILY is only a title, for which there is no such character in the story named Lily, and this being no relation to a 1921 Paramount silent starring Mae Murray of the same name, this is actually an original story about a working girl named Marilyn.
With an opening view of New York's Public Library on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the story introduces best friends, Marilyn David (Claudette Colbert), a stenographer, and Pete Dawes (Fred MacMurray), a smooth talking newspaper reporter, sitting on a park bench where they meet every Thursday night at Bryant Park - he munching on a bag of popcorn with his shoes off, and she discussing about her future to one day meet the man of her dreams. Marilyn eventually does when she encounters Charles Gray (Ray Milland) at a crowded subway station involving a pushy subway guard (Edward Gargan). She rescues him from a fight leading to the street and her involvement with him - to a point of having him look for a job, an evening at Coney Island amusement park, a day at the beach and time together at the same park bench she and Pete meet once a week. Falling in love with her, Charles, actually Charles Granville, a British nobleman secretly visiting New York with his father (C. Aubrey Smith), the Lord of Donshore, resumes his incognito from Marilyn until he returns to England to break off his engagement with Helen Fergus. Assigned by his managing editor (Charles C. Wilson) to cover a story on the visiting Granvilles, Pete locates them boarding a ship bound for England to get the latest scoop. While reading Pete's article about them in the newspaper, Marilyn is both surprised and upset the nobleman to be her dream man. To capitalize on this romance, Pete builds up his story of desertion between Charles and Marilyn. After Marilyn quits her job and through Nate's (Luis Alberni) idea, Pete goes even further with his publicity stunt labeling Marilyn "The No Girl" singing and dancing at Nate's Gincham Cafe. Marilyn's celebrity status leads both her and Pete to perform in Southampton, England, where Marilyn and Charles meet once more. Others in the cast are: Eddie Craven (Eddie, Pete's photographer pal); Donald Meek (Mr. Hankerson, Marilyn's employer); Forrester Harvey (Hugo Martin, the innkeeper); Grace Bradley (Daisy); Tom Dugan (The Hobo); Ferdinand Munier (Otto Buische), and Warren Hymer (The Taxi Driver).
With some amusement bits involving Colbert's drunken scene and singing and dancing to the tune of "Something About Romance," the chemistry between her and MacMurray is evident from their very first scene together. Aside from this being MacMurray's first movie with Colbert, it was also his first important movie role that elevated him to leading man status, along with future films together with Colbert. Ray Milland, in a secondary role, would soon elevate to star stature himself, including his reunion pairing opposite Colbert in both ARISE, MY LOVE (1940) and SKYLARK (1941). While the pace for THE GILDED LILY slows up some near the end, the overall 80 minutes remains both likable and enjoyable production.
Quite popular in its day, followed by frequent television revivals from the 1960s to the 1980s, by today's standards, THE GILDED LILY is close to being forgotten and overlooked among classic film comedies. It did include cable televisions broadcasts on American Movie Classics (1990-91) and an unannounced presentation on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: December 5, 2010) to promote its DVD distribution together with other Colbert/MacMurray comedys (THE BRIDE COMES HOME and FAMILY HONEYMOON (1948)) in the box-set. THE GILDED LILY is no doubt the top of the list of its trio of comedies that should still be entertaining today as it was back in 1935. (***1/2 bags of popcorn)
With an opening view of New York's Public Library on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the story introduces best friends, Marilyn David (Claudette Colbert), a stenographer, and Pete Dawes (Fred MacMurray), a smooth talking newspaper reporter, sitting on a park bench where they meet every Thursday night at Bryant Park - he munching on a bag of popcorn with his shoes off, and she discussing about her future to one day meet the man of her dreams. Marilyn eventually does when she encounters Charles Gray (Ray Milland) at a crowded subway station involving a pushy subway guard (Edward Gargan). She rescues him from a fight leading to the street and her involvement with him - to a point of having him look for a job, an evening at Coney Island amusement park, a day at the beach and time together at the same park bench she and Pete meet once a week. Falling in love with her, Charles, actually Charles Granville, a British nobleman secretly visiting New York with his father (C. Aubrey Smith), the Lord of Donshore, resumes his incognito from Marilyn until he returns to England to break off his engagement with Helen Fergus. Assigned by his managing editor (Charles C. Wilson) to cover a story on the visiting Granvilles, Pete locates them boarding a ship bound for England to get the latest scoop. While reading Pete's article about them in the newspaper, Marilyn is both surprised and upset the nobleman to be her dream man. To capitalize on this romance, Pete builds up his story of desertion between Charles and Marilyn. After Marilyn quits her job and through Nate's (Luis Alberni) idea, Pete goes even further with his publicity stunt labeling Marilyn "The No Girl" singing and dancing at Nate's Gincham Cafe. Marilyn's celebrity status leads both her and Pete to perform in Southampton, England, where Marilyn and Charles meet once more. Others in the cast are: Eddie Craven (Eddie, Pete's photographer pal); Donald Meek (Mr. Hankerson, Marilyn's employer); Forrester Harvey (Hugo Martin, the innkeeper); Grace Bradley (Daisy); Tom Dugan (The Hobo); Ferdinand Munier (Otto Buische), and Warren Hymer (The Taxi Driver).
With some amusement bits involving Colbert's drunken scene and singing and dancing to the tune of "Something About Romance," the chemistry between her and MacMurray is evident from their very first scene together. Aside from this being MacMurray's first movie with Colbert, it was also his first important movie role that elevated him to leading man status, along with future films together with Colbert. Ray Milland, in a secondary role, would soon elevate to star stature himself, including his reunion pairing opposite Colbert in both ARISE, MY LOVE (1940) and SKYLARK (1941). While the pace for THE GILDED LILY slows up some near the end, the overall 80 minutes remains both likable and enjoyable production.
Quite popular in its day, followed by frequent television revivals from the 1960s to the 1980s, by today's standards, THE GILDED LILY is close to being forgotten and overlooked among classic film comedies. It did include cable televisions broadcasts on American Movie Classics (1990-91) and an unannounced presentation on Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: December 5, 2010) to promote its DVD distribution together with other Colbert/MacMurray comedys (THE BRIDE COMES HOME and FAMILY HONEYMOON (1948)) in the box-set. THE GILDED LILY is no doubt the top of the list of its trio of comedies that should still be entertaining today as it was back in 1935. (***1/2 bags of popcorn)
Fred Macmurray and Claudette Colbert shine brighlty in their first teaming
RogerMooreTheBestBond24 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Fred Macmurray and Claudette Colbert have to be one of the best screen pairings of all time. This is their first film together and the first time Fred got second billing in a film and was the co-lead of the film. Fred is a natural. He was so smooth in the film. Fred and Claudette are friends and meet every week at a park bench. Fred plays a reporter who helps Claudette with romancing an English Nobleman played by Ray Milland. They fall in love. Then he leaves and she finds out he was engaged already. Fred starts writing stories about her as the "No Girl" who refused his nobility. She becomes famous for it. Ray Milland returns and they patch things up and are serious again. Fred has found out he has fallen in love with her too. He is going to step out of the way and leave them to be happy. Both of them realize they need each other and they meet up at their meeting place in the end and embrace and kiss. This is just a wonderful film and had the ending I wanted. I would say the 1940's are my favorite decade for films. There were so many good ones. The 1930's also had many great films. The Gilded Lily and It Happened One Night are two classics from 1934.
Big stars in this weak comedy of cons, deceit, love lost, and half-baked romance
SimonJack9 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Where is the comedy in this film? "The Gilded Lily" is packed with talent and billed as a comedy romance. But it's quite a letdown mostly because there's just no witty or funny dialog. And there are no hilarious antics or funny situations. So, if there's comedy in this film, it's a well-kept secret from the audience. What there is here is a strangely skewered plot with performances just as skewered by some weak characters. What weak roles for three top actors of the day.
There's no doubt that this is a jab at the social "class" of celebrity. But the main characters have sudden changes of persona and character reversals that mostly diminish the romance of the first half. What started out to look like a real love story with a comedic love triangle instead turns into a confusion of characters who are mostly confused themselves. And what plot there is here is based on deceit, distrust, dishonesty, lies, greed, and a con game with a long stretch of nightclub and nightly entertainment scenes that quickly leads to boredom.
A couple of other reviewers noted the dark aspects of this film, and its lack of comedy. Most might recall the adage about how a little white lie often leads to disaster. Well, it plays out exactly that way here. One can understand Charles Gray's need for anonymity in visiting the U.S. with his father. But after he and Marilyn David are clearly in love, his father, Duke Lloyd Granton (played by C. Aubrey Smith), convinces him to return to England to personally break off his current engagement. Then he can return to America and Marilyn. But instead of telling Marilyn who he really is and why he's going to England and will return, he concocts the story of getting a job and needing to go away for a couple of weeks to inspect the company plant in Virginia. So, he doesn't love her enough to tell her the truth.
Marilyn's love for Gray is shaken easily when she sees the photo in the paper of Lord Charles boarding the ship to return to England with his father. The clincher is the caption regarding his fiancé in London. Although Peter Dawes didn't know Lord Charles was the man Marilyn had fallen for when he tried to get a story out of the incognito duke and his son on their return, he now pushes the idea that Charles was just playing around with Marilyn. So, her love is so real and strong (Not!) that she goes along with Peter's suggestions right away?
Peter writes some fake stories about the American commoner saying "No" to Lord Granton (Charles). So, now he has some hot stories and his prestige as a reporter rises. Then he parlays the lie into a bigger con to make Marilyn into a celebrity. The jab at the realm of celebrity status is very good, with Marilyn barely able to croak out a song and do the least bit of dancing. Her celeb status is mostly because of her glamorous looks, presentation and a down-to-earth frankness about herself and her plight.
For as blatant a con as Peter turned it into, by this point in the film, one is hoping that Marilyn and Charles will get together in the end. She had told Peter at the start that she didn't love him. He still pines for her, but puts his love on the backburner to milk their new money-making venture for all its worth. When he tires for not being able to spend any time alone with her, and she decides she needs to see Charles once more, they head off to England.
But now one sees that the Charles who loved Marilyn and cancelled his engagement, is taken as much by Marilyn's notoriety and celeb status. So, over these few weeks, his love for her is gone and in its place he now lusts for her but no longer has any thoughts of marriage or proposing? That's because he thinks she was just stringing him along in the first place. When Peter gives up trying to win Marilyn (with all of his deceit), he throws in the towel and returns to the States. The final reversal is Marilyn's seeing Charles as no longer loving her as before, so she flies back to New York and into the arms of Peter, for whom she never had that special feeling of love. Well, they meet on their favorite park bench, so one is left to imagine they wind up married.
In spite of the considerable star power of this film, it falls flat as a comedy. Audiences of 1935 weren't very enamored with the film either. It made a small profit, but it finished the year way behind a bunch of comedies and many combination comedies with musicals, drama and mystery. This film came out in January and even the December release of another Colbert and MacMurray film beat it at the box office that year - "The Bride Comes Home." Another MacMurray comedy, with Carol Lombard, finished well above this one - "Hands Across the Table." This and "Practically Yours" of 1944 are two Colbert-MacMurray comedies that are poor. Their best pairings were "True Confessions" of 1937, "No Time for Love" of 1943, and "The Egg and I" of 1947. Those all had very good plots.
These were weak roles for Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray and Ray Milland. Fans of the three stars may want to see the film, but be ready to nap instead of laughing. Eating some popcorn might help keep one awake.
There's no doubt that this is a jab at the social "class" of celebrity. But the main characters have sudden changes of persona and character reversals that mostly diminish the romance of the first half. What started out to look like a real love story with a comedic love triangle instead turns into a confusion of characters who are mostly confused themselves. And what plot there is here is based on deceit, distrust, dishonesty, lies, greed, and a con game with a long stretch of nightclub and nightly entertainment scenes that quickly leads to boredom.
A couple of other reviewers noted the dark aspects of this film, and its lack of comedy. Most might recall the adage about how a little white lie often leads to disaster. Well, it plays out exactly that way here. One can understand Charles Gray's need for anonymity in visiting the U.S. with his father. But after he and Marilyn David are clearly in love, his father, Duke Lloyd Granton (played by C. Aubrey Smith), convinces him to return to England to personally break off his current engagement. Then he can return to America and Marilyn. But instead of telling Marilyn who he really is and why he's going to England and will return, he concocts the story of getting a job and needing to go away for a couple of weeks to inspect the company plant in Virginia. So, he doesn't love her enough to tell her the truth.
Marilyn's love for Gray is shaken easily when she sees the photo in the paper of Lord Charles boarding the ship to return to England with his father. The clincher is the caption regarding his fiancé in London. Although Peter Dawes didn't know Lord Charles was the man Marilyn had fallen for when he tried to get a story out of the incognito duke and his son on their return, he now pushes the idea that Charles was just playing around with Marilyn. So, her love is so real and strong (Not!) that she goes along with Peter's suggestions right away?
Peter writes some fake stories about the American commoner saying "No" to Lord Granton (Charles). So, now he has some hot stories and his prestige as a reporter rises. Then he parlays the lie into a bigger con to make Marilyn into a celebrity. The jab at the realm of celebrity status is very good, with Marilyn barely able to croak out a song and do the least bit of dancing. Her celeb status is mostly because of her glamorous looks, presentation and a down-to-earth frankness about herself and her plight.
For as blatant a con as Peter turned it into, by this point in the film, one is hoping that Marilyn and Charles will get together in the end. She had told Peter at the start that she didn't love him. He still pines for her, but puts his love on the backburner to milk their new money-making venture for all its worth. When he tires for not being able to spend any time alone with her, and she decides she needs to see Charles once more, they head off to England.
But now one sees that the Charles who loved Marilyn and cancelled his engagement, is taken as much by Marilyn's notoriety and celeb status. So, over these few weeks, his love for her is gone and in its place he now lusts for her but no longer has any thoughts of marriage or proposing? That's because he thinks she was just stringing him along in the first place. When Peter gives up trying to win Marilyn (with all of his deceit), he throws in the towel and returns to the States. The final reversal is Marilyn's seeing Charles as no longer loving her as before, so she flies back to New York and into the arms of Peter, for whom she never had that special feeling of love. Well, they meet on their favorite park bench, so one is left to imagine they wind up married.
In spite of the considerable star power of this film, it falls flat as a comedy. Audiences of 1935 weren't very enamored with the film either. It made a small profit, but it finished the year way behind a bunch of comedies and many combination comedies with musicals, drama and mystery. This film came out in January and even the December release of another Colbert and MacMurray film beat it at the box office that year - "The Bride Comes Home." Another MacMurray comedy, with Carol Lombard, finished well above this one - "Hands Across the Table." This and "Practically Yours" of 1944 are two Colbert-MacMurray comedies that are poor. Their best pairings were "True Confessions" of 1937, "No Time for Love" of 1943, and "The Egg and I" of 1947. Those all had very good plots.
These were weak roles for Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray and Ray Milland. Fans of the three stars may want to see the film, but be ready to nap instead of laughing. Eating some popcorn might help keep one awake.
Charming Romantic Comedy
dmatthewbarnes51214 September 2022
From the opening scene on a bench outside of the New York Public Library in which Fred MacMurray's character (Peter Dawes) tries to convince Claudette Colbert's character (Marilyn David) that she's capable of more in her professional life, this romantic comedy from 1935 is brimming with sweet charm and a big dose of female empowerment. There's much to enjoy in the story, including a commentary about journalism threaded seamlessly throughout. Colbert is especially appealing in her portrayal of an earnest, hopeful woman who's trying to balance her quest for success with her search for love. Her comedic timing is razor sharp here and director Wesley Ruggles gives her the breathing space on screen she deserves to demonstrate her considerable range as an actor. Known more for her dramatic work, it's refreshing to see Colbert in such a fun role. There are echoes here of the stellar, Academy Award work she did one year prior in the classic film It Happened One Night. Both MacMurray and Colbert make the most out of the clever, humorous script by Claude Bunyan. Their chemistry is strong and natural. It's no surprise this was the first of seven films they would make together. The supporting cast is equally enjoyable to watch, especially Eddie Craven as a young, impressionable photographer. It's a shame he didn't star in very many films. Also of note is the fantastic jazzy score, composed by Sigmund Krumgold, Heinz Roemheld (who would go on to compose The Lady from Shanghai), and Tom Satterfield. Watching the film, it's hard to believe it was released in 1935. It feels much more modern and even contemporary. It could easily be remade today (Anna Kendrick should take note and turn this film into new gold), given how relatable and successful the single-girl-searching-for-love trope is and how effortlessly it works in this lovely film.
Mrs. Maisel of 1935
ivy-lessner13 November 2020
While in many ways an average romantic comedy of the era, this film rises above during one particular scene. Colbert, as would-be entertainer Marilyn David, is supposed to sing and dance in a nightclub debut. Screenwriter Claude Binyon turns it into an opportunity for farce, as the untalented David stumbles her way through a song-and-dance number that becomes part clever improv, part stand-up, and she discovers a talent for making audiences laugh with her. Seek out this film just for the nightclub scene.
Fred MacMurray's First Lead Role
springfieldrental25 April 2023
Fred MacMurray, a recent newcomer to Hollywood, claimed he "didn't have the slightest clue what he was doing" in his first movie as a lead. He had been in movies for little less than a year and had just one credited part. MacMurray had the great fortune when he was assigned by Paramount Pictures to play opposite veteran movie actress Claudette Colbert in January 1935's "The Gilded Lily."
"I'll never forget how kind Claudette was," recalled MacMurray years later in his role as newspaper reporter Peter Dawes. "She was so patient with me. She worked and worked with me and got me through it. She was so positive, so kind-hearted, and so unselfish with other players."
The chemistry between the two stars was so palatable in "The Gilded Lily" that Paramount teamed the two for six more movies. Wesley Ruggles directed the romantic comedy about Peter meeting stenographer Marilyn David (Colbert) every Thursday after work eating popcorn on a nearby city bench to 'people watch.' Munching on popcorn is a reoccurring image throughout "The Gilded Lily." Former Chicago journalist Claude Binyon's script gives his characters some witty lines, especially when Peter compares eating popcorn versus peanuts to Marilyn. His defense for popcorn is that a person has to concentrate on extracting the shell from the peanut, then look to where to discard the shell. "Popcorn was made for watching the world go by," exclaims Peter. "Look. I stick my hand in the bag without taking my eyes off the street. I throw some popcorn in my craw. I chew...and I'm still looking. That's what I call class." Marilyn answered, "Sure. Peanut eaters don't know how to live."
Despite salutations from Peter he loves her, Marilyn ignores his passion when she meets an English lord in the disguise of a commoner, Charles (Ray Milland). The two link up and Peter, researching her newfound friend's background, discovers Charles is really the son of a wealthy duke. The question is can Peter's lowly career as a reporter compete with the high status of Charles to gain Marilyn's hand?
There's almost a Capraesque feel to Ruggles' work in "The Gilded Lily." The silent movie actor-turned-director, Ruggles had spearheaded movies such as Mae West's 1932 "No Man of Her Own" and Carole Lombard's 1934 "Bolero." Although Milland's Charles displays nothing but charm, Colbert's Marilyn, with her homespun personality, feels uncomfortable in the royal's environment. The rich competing with the middle class makes Peter's status an underdog, something that made Depression era audiences salivate on who will win over the vivacious stenographer.
The Kankakee, Illinois-born and Quincy, Illinois-raised MacMurray played saxophone in several bands before turning to the dramatic stage. He appeared in several Broadway plays, with his role in 1933's 'Roberta' alongside Bob Hope, drawing the attention of Paramount movie scouts, who signed him to his first contract. Actress Katherine Hepburn was so impressed by his performance in "The Gilded Lily" she asked her studio RKO to get him as a loan out for her next film, 1935's "Alice Adams." "The Gilded Lily" was also another feather in the cap of actor Ray Milland after struggling for four years in Hollywood trying to catch his big break. After returning to Tinseltown from his native United Kingdom where he found employment taking odd jobs, Milland appeared in Ruggles' "Bolero," and was offered a $175 contract with Paramount. He got his meatiest role yet playing Charles, and like MacMurray appreciated the advice Colbert gave him on and off the set. Milland felt the actress was "spiritually lovely inside," which made their scenes together easy to film and gave him a big boost of confidence to stick with movie acting as a career choice.
The chemistry between the two stars was so palatable in "The Gilded Lily" that Paramount teamed the two for six more movies. Wesley Ruggles directed the romantic comedy about Peter meeting stenographer Marilyn David (Colbert) every Thursday after work eating popcorn on a nearby city bench to 'people watch.' Munching on popcorn is a reoccurring image throughout "The Gilded Lily." Former Chicago journalist Claude Binyon's script gives his characters some witty lines, especially when Peter compares eating popcorn versus peanuts to Marilyn. His defense for popcorn is that a person has to concentrate on extracting the shell from the peanut, then look to where to discard the shell. "Popcorn was made for watching the world go by," exclaims Peter. "Look. I stick my hand in the bag without taking my eyes off the street. I throw some popcorn in my craw. I chew...and I'm still looking. That's what I call class." Marilyn answered, "Sure. Peanut eaters don't know how to live."
Despite salutations from Peter he loves her, Marilyn ignores his passion when she meets an English lord in the disguise of a commoner, Charles (Ray Milland). The two link up and Peter, researching her newfound friend's background, discovers Charles is really the son of a wealthy duke. The question is can Peter's lowly career as a reporter compete with the high status of Charles to gain Marilyn's hand?
There's almost a Capraesque feel to Ruggles' work in "The Gilded Lily." The silent movie actor-turned-director, Ruggles had spearheaded movies such as Mae West's 1932 "No Man of Her Own" and Carole Lombard's 1934 "Bolero." Although Milland's Charles displays nothing but charm, Colbert's Marilyn, with her homespun personality, feels uncomfortable in the royal's environment. The rich competing with the middle class makes Peter's status an underdog, something that made Depression era audiences salivate on who will win over the vivacious stenographer.
The Kankakee, Illinois-born and Quincy, Illinois-raised MacMurray played saxophone in several bands before turning to the dramatic stage. He appeared in several Broadway plays, with his role in 1933's 'Roberta' alongside Bob Hope, drawing the attention of Paramount movie scouts, who signed him to his first contract. Actress Katherine Hepburn was so impressed by his performance in "The Gilded Lily" she asked her studio RKO to get him as a loan out for her next film, 1935's "Alice Adams." "The Gilded Lily" was also another feather in the cap of actor Ray Milland after struggling for four years in Hollywood trying to catch his big break. After returning to Tinseltown from his native United Kingdom where he found employment taking odd jobs, Milland appeared in Ruggles' "Bolero," and was offered a $175 contract with Paramount. He got his meatiest role yet playing Charles, and like MacMurray appreciated the advice Colbert gave him on and off the set. Milland felt the actress was "spiritually lovely inside," which made their scenes together easy to film and gave him a big boost of confidence to stick with movie acting as a career choice.
Watching the world go by
jarrodmcdonald-120 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
THE GILDED LILY a comedy, but it's also a two-character study. Despite the obstacles in their path, we know the characters played by Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray will end up as a romantic couple. In the beginning we're shown that they are good friends, though both still have a lot to learn about life and about themselves. The story isn't even that funny, to be honest. It's amusing, but nothing uproarious. Mostly we are drawn in because Miss Colbert has an easy rapport with Mr. MacMurray. They both have considerable respect for each other in their scenes, and that's gold. It's no wonder they'd make a total of seven motion pictures together.
The premise is simple. Colbert & MacMurray meet up each Thursday night on a New York City park bench to "watch the world go by." They discuss what's going on with their jobs-- he's a reporter, and she's a stenographer. Usually, this involves giving advice to each other, while munching on their favorite snack-- popped corn.
We are not told how they met or how long they've known each other. But we can be sure they're kindred souls. MacMurray is eager to move beyond the platonic nature of the relationship, but Colbert doesn't feel the same way about him, at least not now. She has fanciful notions of what it would be like to be swept off her feet. She soon meets a British aristocrat (Ray Milland) and falls for him, which causes angst for MacMurray though he still remains loyal as a pal.
The two lead stars are naturals with each other, and most of what transpires on screen works. There's a funny bit where they go for a drink at Luis Alberni's nightclub, and Colbert's character has had a little too much to drink. She slides off her seat, and crashes with a thud under the table.
There's also the part where it seems like she's been jilted by Milland. The idea of a working class gal catching the eye of British nobility then getting left behind is too much for MacMurray to resist, and he builds a series of articles around it. You might say he's exploiting their friendship, but he also has ulterior motives, which involves winning her for himself.
In the meantime, she gains notoriety, which he thinks they can play to their financial advantage. A short while later he gets her to perform in front of paying customers at the club. She awkwardly sings and dances, without much discernible talent, and lands in the lap of a V. I. P.
As I watched the film, it occurred to me how brave Miss Colbert is. She's not afraid to take risks with the material, continually testing her comfort level. Of course, she's dressed in the finest outfits, photographed from the best angles and given plenty of glamorous touches.
Something else I noticed-- Colbert is basically playing a good girl. But MacMurray's character manipulates her situation...so she is depicted in the press as a bad girl who says 'no' to everyone and puts on airs. He's constructing an image that will render her unattainable to any other man...since he wants her for himself.
Their mutual enjoyment of popcorn is cute. At various points in the story, we see them buy bags of the stuff. There is also a scene inside Colbert's apartment where they make a fresh batch, popping kernels by the fireplace. She pours it into a large bowl. He adds the butter and salt, and she stirs it with a wooden spoon. It is their ritual. And it makes them seem like real people, who do ordinary things, while trying to figure out what's important in life.
The premise is simple. Colbert & MacMurray meet up each Thursday night on a New York City park bench to "watch the world go by." They discuss what's going on with their jobs-- he's a reporter, and she's a stenographer. Usually, this involves giving advice to each other, while munching on their favorite snack-- popped corn.
We are not told how they met or how long they've known each other. But we can be sure they're kindred souls. MacMurray is eager to move beyond the platonic nature of the relationship, but Colbert doesn't feel the same way about him, at least not now. She has fanciful notions of what it would be like to be swept off her feet. She soon meets a British aristocrat (Ray Milland) and falls for him, which causes angst for MacMurray though he still remains loyal as a pal.
The two lead stars are naturals with each other, and most of what transpires on screen works. There's a funny bit where they go for a drink at Luis Alberni's nightclub, and Colbert's character has had a little too much to drink. She slides off her seat, and crashes with a thud under the table.
There's also the part where it seems like she's been jilted by Milland. The idea of a working class gal catching the eye of British nobility then getting left behind is too much for MacMurray to resist, and he builds a series of articles around it. You might say he's exploiting their friendship, but he also has ulterior motives, which involves winning her for himself.
In the meantime, she gains notoriety, which he thinks they can play to their financial advantage. A short while later he gets her to perform in front of paying customers at the club. She awkwardly sings and dances, without much discernible talent, and lands in the lap of a V. I. P.
As I watched the film, it occurred to me how brave Miss Colbert is. She's not afraid to take risks with the material, continually testing her comfort level. Of course, she's dressed in the finest outfits, photographed from the best angles and given plenty of glamorous touches.
Something else I noticed-- Colbert is basically playing a good girl. But MacMurray's character manipulates her situation...so she is depicted in the press as a bad girl who says 'no' to everyone and puts on airs. He's constructing an image that will render her unattainable to any other man...since he wants her for himself.
Their mutual enjoyment of popcorn is cute. At various points in the story, we see them buy bags of the stuff. There is also a scene inside Colbert's apartment where they make a fresh batch, popping kernels by the fireplace. She pours it into a large bowl. He adds the butter and salt, and she stirs it with a wooden spoon. It is their ritual. And it makes them seem like real people, who do ordinary things, while trying to figure out what's important in life.
See also
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