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larrywest42
Reviews
Rich Man, Poor Girl (1938)
Lana's fine, but the film is actually interesting
Even though it's lighthearted, this film does touch on several issues that were important at the time: joblessness, income inequity, old age. It's only about six inches deep, but most movies at the time were only about an inch deep.
And Ruth Hussey holds her own against Lana Turner (who does a creditable acting job, by the way).
The only downside [** spoiler alert **]...
...is...
... the ending. In the space of three or four minutes, most of the characters surrendered their principles, on which the entire movie is based. Very disappointing, as if the author/playwright/screenwriter ran out of time and wrapped things up quickly and sloppily.
But overall, a mostly enjoyable film, with a glance at social problems.
The Half Naked Truth (1932)
Weak throughout, except for Lupe Velez
Previous comments encouraged me to check this out when it showed up on TCM, but it was a severe disappointment. Lupe Valdez is great, but doesn't get enough screen time. Frank Morgan and Eugene Palette play familiar but promising characters, but the script leaves them stranded.
The movie revolves around the ego of Lee Tracy's character, who is at best a self-centered, physically and verbally abusive jerk. The reactions of "the public" are poorly thought-out and unbelievable, making the "shenanigans" seem like contrivances of a bad writer. And it strains credulity that the Lupe Velez character could fall for him.
The "stinging one-liners" mentioned in another review must be dependent on the observer, since I didn't even notice that an attempt was being made.