You Can't Beat Love

The only reason for watching this film was the allure of watching Joan Fontaine in her third picture. RKO obviously had no clue what to do with this budding young talent. Pairing her with the dashing Preston Foster didn't get the intended results.

In fact, the film, as directed by Christy Cabanne doesn't hold the viewer's attention. The plot doesn't make too much sense, as it appears to have been done as a B movie to fill a double bill, so popular at the time.

The best thing in the movie are some of the supporting cast members. Herbert Mundin makes the best impression as the faithful valet. Alan Bruce, William Brisbane, and Paul Guilfoyle are seen in minor roles.

As far as Joan Fontaine, one wouldn't have guessed how far she would go judging for her participation in the film.

Watch it as a curiosity.

A man runs for mayor on a bet. The mayor's daughter meets him at a political campaign and it's hate at first sight. The chill only lasts until their next encounter, but by then we know this is a formula romantic comedy and they'll both be in love for the windup. After a few more misunderstandings, PRESTON FOSTER and JOAN FONTAINE walk off arm in arm and the simple plot is over in an hour.

Strictly an RKO programmer that passed the time in '37, a time when JOAN FONTAINE was being promoted as a new RKO starlet but given material that would have defeated any other ingenue. There is nothing here that suggests she would go on to an Oscar-winning career. PRESTON FOSTER carries the main burden, as does Herbert Mundin as his timid valet, and the whole thing has the look of a B-film that nobody had much faith in.

Interesting only to see the two leads in their prime but with very little chemistry between them.

Trivia note: Whether it's because his make-up is too dark or not, even in B&W Foster's eyes come across as bluer than Paul Newman's.

Preston Foster is a good action man but put him in a suit with Joan Fontaine as his romantic lead and he is rather out of his depth.Unfortunately it is the case with films of this nature that firstly you need a good script and secondly you need some chemistry between the lead actors.Alas this film falls flat on both counts.It is a sad waste of the talents of all concerned.I am not saying this is boring but it really is not all that entertaining.I had looked at the films page before viewing and saw that it had a mark of 6.5.Having seen this film all i can say is that maybe i am missing something.Compare this for example with "Bringing Up Baby" made at RKO,the same studio that made this,just one year later.It is a bit like comparing "Hercules Unchained" with "Ben Hur".

Preston Foster who usually did action/adventure parts dons white tie and tails as a wealthy playboy lawyer who does anything on a dare. This time he's dared to run for mayor of his small city against Frank Thomas. Which brings him into contact with the mayor's daughter Joan Fontaine.

In order that politics not separate them from being future bedfellows, Foster pulls his punches though it is hard to believe he could not know about the crooked dealings of his police chief Berton Churchill and aide Bradley Page. Still as it always love will out.

This RKO programmer sports a really nice and impressive cast. Besides those mentioned Herbert Mundin is Foster's valet, Paul Hurst his campaign manager and former day laborer, Harold Huber and Paul Guilfoyle as a pair of out of town gangsters.

Special mention has to go to Barbara Pepper. She's hired to work the old badger game on Foster instead she does it with Hurst. Identities not easy to mistake but she does it. Her scenes trying to seduce Hurst are a scream.

This is an amusing comedy and no doubt Fontaine was on the way up.

Playboy lawyer Preston Foster (as Jimmy Hughes) is reluctantly recruited to run against an incumbent mayor, while romancing his daughter, pretty blonde Joan Fontaine (as Trudy Olson). The campaign leads to the uncovering of a gang of racketeering gamblers in the city, with both mayoral candidates, and the city police chief, becoming suspects. "You Can't Beat Love" is a competent, but routine little piece of fluff, which looks to have benefited few of those involved. There are a few likable moments. Thankfully, it was as forgettable as it was routine.

*** You Can't Beat Love (1937) Christy Cabanne ~ Preston Foster, Joan Fontaine, Herbert Mundin