The Devil to Pay!

Light and airy early comedy with Colman laying it on thick in his quasi-philosophical turn as the prodigal son. It's all very British and very there you know, with touches of sentiment to complement the humor. Only after it was over did I realize some of the characters - especially the pampered females - actually got on my nerves.

Lively romantic comedy, well cast by up-and-coming producer Sam Goldwyn. Colman's central as the unpredictable Willie, son of a wealthy father who's given up on his wacky offspring. Likely it's because Willie (note the non-upperclass name) seems to have a general disdain for money, which he's prone to frittering away as soon as he gets it. Plus he's always ready with a witty quip on life's oddities that generates chuckles. He's also got a blonde cutie (Loy) as girl friend, but then meets up with dark haired cutie Dorothy (Young). Trouble is she's engaged to an English Lord, even as her new romance takes flight. Too bad Dorothy's grouchy dad doesn't trust Willie's wacky ways and tries to oust him. So how will these tangled relationships among the wealthy class turn out.

I like the way we're introduced to Willie's soft heart when he relents to buy eager mutt George from the pet store. Some such insight is needed since, aside from his antics, Willie's character is yet undefined. Producer Goldwyn had an obvious eye for up and comers like actresses Young and Loy who get the fashionable gowns, along with winning personalities and a shot at acting chops. Also, the production's well-upholstered befitting the background wealth. Then too, this is pre-Depression (1930) so the screenplay needn't worry about class issues that would soon prevail. Should also note the rotund Fred Kerr who plays Dorothy's dad like a really grouchy Winston Churchill-- I thought the physical resemblance striking. Anyway, it's an entertaining little flick that features an unusual character for a leading man, so give it a try since the sub-textual values cut across eras.

Ronald Coleman had been a star of the screen for several years when talkies came in, and what a boost it was to his career. His Oxford English accent is so enthralling I could listen to him recite the farmer's almanac and not be bored.

Coleman plays Willie Hale, a 30ish playboy from a wealthy family who spends his time womanizing and gambling. Yet, he's a likable rogue - not only likable from the standpoint of the audience but by family and friends too. He has yet again gone broke due to his constant gambling and sells off his possessions in a foreign location to settle his debts and provide passage back home to England. When he gets there, he at first is met by a father who insists he'll kick him out - he's had it with Willie and his layabout ways. However, five minutes alone in a room with Willie and his charm, and Willie is not only forgiven by dad, dad has given him one hundred pounds to boot.

Willie then goes for a day's recreation with his sister and her friend, Dorothy Hope (Loretta Young). Dorothy is set to be engaged to the Grand Duke Paul that very night, mainly just because her dad wants royalty in the family, and there is nobody else special in her life. That changes after her day with Willie, and soon there is a scandal brewing as Dorothy refuses to go through with the marriage as planned.

Ronald Coleman is always a delight to watch in these early talking films he did for Sam Goldwyn where he is playing the confident adventurer or cad or both. He has a demeanor akin to Errol Flynn, but he is unable to display Flynn's physical agility due to a disabling wound he received during World War I. However, what he lacks in physical agility Coleman always made up in agility of soul. Loretta Young, only 17 when this picture was made, shows the beginning of her trademark sweet girl that can erupt into a ball of fire when the occasion calls for it. Myrna Loy plays Willie's girl from the past - Mary Crayle - a showgirl. Here Myrna is still playing a part similar to the exotic vamp parts she got stuck with so often over at Warner Brothers when she was a contract player from 1926 until shortly before this movie was made in 1930.

This is pretty much a light and breezy romantic comedy from start to finish. If you're in a mood for the kind of escapist entertainment that lightened the hearts of audiences during the Great Depression, this little film fits the bill.

Willie Leyland (Ronald Colman) returns to England to old girlfriend (Myrna Loy), but meets new girl (Loretta Young). The repartee between the characters is delightful. My favourite scene is when Ronald Colman is writing a letter to Myrna Loy to break off their relationship. He has gotten a dog upon his return to England, and he asks for the dog's comments while he's composing the letter.

The film is well done, and the charm of Ronald Colman and Loretta Young makes the story a "must see".

Ronald Colman plays a prodigal son. While he is NOT a bad guy, he is a bit flighty and hasn't done a lot with his life other than travel the world and have a jolly good time. Now that his latest venture in Africa has failed, he's on his way home to England. His rich upper class father plans on tossing him out on his ear, though thanks to Ronald's winning style, he is reluctantly welcomed back with open arms.

At this point, there are two women in his life--showgirl Myrna Loy and rich girl Loretta Young (who is already engaged). How will all this work out and will Ronald wise up and act like a responsible adult--these are the main themes of this pleasant little film.

This isn't a great movie and certainly won't change your life, but it certainly is very entertaining and fun. Most of this is due to the always genial acting of Ronald Colman. Heck, in the heyday of his career in the 1930s, he could have played in REEFER MADNESS or some other dreck and still made it entertaining and likable due to his charming persona. His seemingly effortless style in this movie make it very easy to like him and it's easy to see why both Loretta Young and Myrna Loy are in love with him in the film! Plus, the writing is very witty and make this a nice romantic-comedy.