You Can't Beat Love

The film begins with a knuckle-head (Preston Foster) working on a road crew dressed in a tux in order to win a bet. Apparently, this guy will take on any bet or act on a whim. This becomes very apparent when he disrupts a food giveaway hosted by the mayor's daughter and as a result of this, he announces he's running for mayor--though he seems very much apolitical and has no interest in the job. Later, when he once again meets up with the mayor's daughter (Joan Fontaine) they supposedly fall in love--although there seemed to be little chemistry between them and it made very little sense for Fontaine to suddenly love a guy she so quickly hated at the beginning of the film. Plus, she really had plenty of reason to dislike the guy.

Regardless of the reasoning for announcing he was running for mayor, eventually Foster takes the role seriously and jumps in to the fray--only to see first-hand just how corrupt the police chief is. Foster's job from then on is to expose this crook, though new girlfriend Fontaine doesn't understand and takes it all very personally.

Aside from the appearance by Joan Fontaine in one of her earliest films, there's not a lot to distinguish this film--though it is occasionally fun and is a decent time-passer. You could do worse, but you could also do a lot better.

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

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.

Ahh.. the peaceful years just before world war two. Preston foster and joan fontaine. When attorney hughes takes a dare to get a hard, blue collar job, he gets more than he bargained for. And drags his butler along. Now he's running for mayor, and the current mayor doesn't like it, so it's war! Pretty silly. There are two characters that are clearly doing mae west and w.c. Fields impersonations.... the girl's name is even may smith. What have they gotten into?? It's a fun, wacky 62 minutes. Directed by christy cabanne... had started in the wee early days of silents, directed right on up to 1948. Story by olga moore. Really silly story line, but it's all in good fun.