The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

The comic banter between William Powell and Jean Arthur is the highlight of this murder mystery, which has one of the most bizarre and unlikely plots ever. Powell is probably the most suave detective of the 30's, and Arthur has a unique voice which often sounds like a succession of tiny tinkly bells. They are extremely fun to watch, so take the brashness of the plot with a grain of salt and just enjoy seeing it unfold. Eric Blore also has some comic turns as Powell's butler.

Powell's contract with MGM included a clause which allowed him to reject being loaned out to another studio, but he wanted to work again with Arthur and he liked the script, so he eagerly accepted the assignment. They had worked together in two 1929 Paramount films, The Canary Murder Case and The Greene Murder Case, both in the Philo Vance series.

William Powell is a doctor dealing with a murder and an ex-wife in "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford," also starring Jean Arthur, Eric Blore, and James Gleason.

It seems that Powell had chemistry going with just about any woman with whom he was teamed. Though he and Myrna Loy were the perfect screen couple, the actor made a couple of other "Thin Man" type movies, one with Ginger Rogers and this one with Arthur, both to very good effect.

Somehow one never gets tired of seeing Powell as a witty, debonair professional and "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford" is no exception. The ex-Mrs. B has Mr. B served with a subpoena for back alimony and then moves back in to help him solve a mystery that she's dragged him into. And this isn't the first time she's done that!

It almost seems as though there was a "Bradford" film before this one or that this was intended to be the first of a series of films - Mr. B complains that his mystery-writer ex is constantly bringing him into cases.

This time, a jockey riding the favorite horse in a raise mysteriously falls off the horse and dies right before the finish line.

The solution of the case is kind of outlandish but it's beside the point. The point is the banter between the couple and the interference of the ex-Mrs. B. Jean Arthur is quite glamorous in her role and very funny.

However, with an actress who comes off as brainy as Arthur does, the humor seems intentional rather than featherbrained.

I suspect the writer had something else in mind - say, the wacky side of Carole Lombard. When Arthur hears that the police have arrived, she says, "Ah, it's probably about my alimony. I've been waiting for the police to take a hand in it," it's more of a rib to Powell rather than a serious statement. It still works well, and it shows how a good actress can make a part her own.

Definitely worth watching, as William Powell and Jean Arthur always were.

M-G-M had struck success in 1934 by adapting Dashiell Hammett's "The Thin Man" with William Powell and Myrna Loy in the central roles. The film was a commercial hit, received four Oscar nominations, and spawned five sequels between 1936 and 1947. The good folks at RKO Radio Pictures asked themselves "why can't we have success like that?" and so set about replicating the accomplishment. They got halfway there, at least: for the "Nick Charles" role, Powell was loaned out from M-G-M, but, for his "Nora," Jean Arthur arrived from Columbia Pictures. Both were already big names in the screwball comedy business – that year, Powell also starred in 'After the Thin Man (1936)' and 'My Man Godfey (1936),' and Arthur had graced 'Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936).' There does seem to be a slight mismatch in each star's comedic style; Arthur's impulsiveness tended to work better with an actor less sure of himself, like Jimmy Stewart. Thus, the interplay between husband and (ex-)wife doesn't quite come off as naturally as it did with Myrna Loy, but RKO still got their money's worth.

Does this 'Thin Man'-knockoff reach the heights of its inspirational source? It does its best, but the answer is no. While certainly utilising the comic talents of its two stars, 'The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936)' lacks an interesting script, becoming so halfheartedly-distracted by its main characters that the supporting cast – the very people whose movements we should be scrutinising – are anonymous wax figures. Robert Armstrong (Carl Denham in 'King Kong (1933)') is easily the most notable supporting player as shifty bookie Nick Martel, while Eric Blore does that snooty butler act he enjoyed so much. As for the other suspects, I can't tell you much about them. When, in a Nick Charles-inspired detective tactic, Dr. Bradford (Powell) decides to bring together all the potential murderers, I couldn't remember ever meeting half of them. Heck, it's been less than 24 hours since I watched the film – with full attentiveness, I assure you – and I can't even remember the name of the guilty party. At least the method of murder was ghoulishly clever.

Though Powell's character is supposed to be a professional surgeon, writer Anthony Veiller apparently felt obliged to furnish him with the characteristics of a detective. One of Nick Charles' most enticing attributes was that, despite an enviably laid-back demeanour, he could swiftly snap into physical action when a gun-wielding criminal threatened his safety. Dr. Bradford, likewise, picked up this instinct at some point during his medical training, and seems to be relatively well-acquainted with the city's hoodlums (admittedly, he does once complain about his ex-wife's habit of thrusting him into homicide investigations). Paula Bradford (Arthur) has the active imagination – and certainly the enthusiasm – of Nora Charles, but maybe not the courage under fire: upon entering the morgue, she faints in her ex-husband's arms, but not before Eric Blore has hilariously fallen down behind her. Certainly, if you're going to watch 'The Ex-Mrs. Bradford,' then it's for the two leads, who are pleasant enough to be worthwhile. As a kind of interlude in the 'Thin Man' series, it works, as well.

A reasonably entertaining combination of comedy and mystery, done in much the same fashion as 'The Thin Man', and even starring the same star, William Powell is as good as one would expect, however Jean Arthur does not work quite as well with him as Myrna Loy does, and she is even a tad annoying to have on screen at times. The script is well written with some good lines and an interesting plot, and the film relatively engaging on the whole. By all means it is inferior to 'The Thin Man', but yet it manages to do quite a good job with similar material, and other than Powell's character, the elements borrowed from 'The Thin Man' are fairly disguised. It is a good film in itself either way.

There were quite a few reasons for wanting to see 'The Ex-Mrs Bradford'. Am a fan of classic film. Love it when mystery and comedy go together and the two have gelled well many films in film. William Powell was one of the best when it came to witty and debonair male characters and Jean Arthur was always a charming watch. It was interesting to see how Powell would fare in a 'The Thin Man'-like film with somebody other than Myrna Loy (a legendary partnership).

Actually thought that Powell fared very well with a female partner other than Loy, in a part that Loy would have filled with effortless ease. Both Powell and Arthur register very well and they are the two main reasons to watch 'The Ex-Mrs Bradford'. Comparisons to the 'Thin Man' series are inevitable, but 'The Ex-Mrs Bradford' really does deserve to stand on its own and be judged separately. While it is not a great film, it to me was enjoyable and worth watching as long as one doesn't expect too much.

By all means, 'The Ex-Mrs Bradford' has its flaws. The film loses its way somewhat later on, where events get improbable and too reliant on coincidence. The identity and motive of the responsible were not hard to figure out.

Stephen Roberts' direction is somewhat too workmanlike at best and is not very distinct.

It is though to the cast's credit that 'The Ex-Mrs Bradford' actually just about works. Powell is debonair, suave, sophisticated and witty, while Arthur is charming, looks amazing and has the right lightness of touch for her role. Powell and Arthur's chemistry may not sparkle as much as Powell with Loy, but they look very natural together and like they were having fun. They are well supported by the rest of the cast. James Gleason is a standout and even more so Eric Blore giving his all in a type of role he played better than most at that time.

Visually, 'The Ex-Mrs Bradford' looks great. Especially standing out is the way Arthur is photographed. The story on the whole goes at a fast, lively pace and doesn't outstay or feel too thin for its short running time. The script has enough wit and smartness to satisfy.

Concluding, enjoyable if not mind-blowing. 7/10