A Bride for Henry

Stood up at the alter by an absent-minded groom, attractive Anne Nagel (as Sheila Curtis) decides to teach her intended a lesson by marrying handsome lawyer Warren Hull (as Henry Tuttle), instead. After watching wayward fiancé Henry Mollison (as Eric Reynolds) stew in his juices, Ms. Nagel plans to divorce Mr. Hull and marry Mr. Mollison. As it turns out, Hull has secretly been in love Nagel for years, and wants to keep her as his wife. While honeymooning with Hull, Nagel begins to make up with Mollison, who realizes his mistake. Meanwhile, Hull is determined to win his wife's love.

"A Bride for Henry" is a fluffy, forgettable comedy. It's managed well by Dorothy Davenport (the widow of Wallace Reid), director William Nigh, and its triangle of players - as long as you don't think too hard about what's going on. Nagel, more well-known as a second-stringer, is a lovely leading lady; she doesn't look like someone you'd leave at the alter. Hull sings a lick, and shows off his physique by the pool. After Hull demonstrates his diving board form, a bevy of swimsuit models show off their hourglass figures; alas, the state of the film isn't sharp enough to appreciate every curve.

***** A Bride for Henry (9/29/37) William Nigh ~ Anne Nagel, Warren Hull, Henry Mollison, Claudia Dell

Not at all what I expect from Monogram, this surprise was a very pleasant one.

No well-known stars -- that is, not well known today, which is a shame - - but the performers make up an extremely capable cast.

Anne Nagel was cute -- and really attractive in my opinion -- and reminded me several times of Judy Garland, though without her musical persona.

Warren Hull was a really good-looking guy with personality and, as it turns out, great musical ability. He was also in good physical shape, as demonstrated by scenes at the pool.

The foil was so excellently well played by a man of whom I know very little, Henry Mollison, but his performance here showed him to be another extraordinary talent who really should be a house-hold name, even now, 80 years after this movie.

Lesser characters were played by not-lesser actors, especially "Mrs. Van Orden," Claudia Dell, another of whom I know next to nothing -- except she was beautiful and she was just about perfect in this role.

Reporters, constable, bellmen, and other atmosphere and bit players make this a genuinely outstanding motion picture.

The only aspect keeping it from being worth 10 stars is the fluffiness of the script. It is a lot of fun, even if it looks very much like a stage play put on film -- that is, there are few sets, not a lot of action, but good dialog, beautiful performances, and likable characters.

"A Bride for Henry" is available at YouTube and I believe you will be glad you watched it.

Poor Henry! Spoilt Sheila (Nagel) has married him to save face after bridegroom Eric failed to turn up for their wedding. Henry (Hull) is in 7th heaven having loved Sheila all these years but learns to his dismay that she intends to go to Reno to sort things out as she really still wants to marry Eric. He's miserable on his honeymoon - only his clothes trunk makes it into the bridal chamber while he's banished to the couch and the sun-chair on the balcony. To add to his misery the 'late' groom Eric shows up making it three on a honeymoon. But Henry the lawyer is a man with a plan! He has been hiding his light under a bushel - he rides!, he dives!, he sings! - all to a chorus of Sheila saying "Oh Henry I didn't know you could do that!" Eric suddenly pales beside him as Henry has to swat away a bevy of female admirers while Sheila is overcome with jealousy. The three leads are most attractive and there is some witty dialogue and it reveals all its charms in 59 minutes. Oh Henry! I didn't know you could do that too!

Another Youtube discovery, an amusing, witty and well made shortie. I enjoyed this more than any number of more elaborate, expensive and star-studded extravaganzas of the 1930s. Fine acting performances and well-directed, recommended if you need a laugh.

When Eric, in his usual irresponsible manner, fails to show at his own wedding because he's sleeping off his bachelor party, his bride Sheila decides to go through with the wedding anyway. All she needs is another groom, and on short notice. She calls her lawyer, Henry, into the dressing chamber and hastily proposes to him.

As they leave for their honeymoon, however, Henry finds out that Sheila is simply trying to teach her fiancé a lesson, and intends to get a divorce as soon as the honeymoon is over. Henry, who has a long standing crush on Sheila, is visibly disappointed, and cleverly schemes to keep her.

The plot is amusing, and the characters, while somewhat cookie-cutter, are lovable. If you're a fan of vintage romantic comedies, I think you'll find it worth watching.