Wife Wanted

During the 1930s, Kay Francis was a huge star...particularly with Warner Brothers. However, tastes are fickle and by the 1940s, she was mostly appearing in second-rate films. So, the fact that her final movie was for tiny Monogram Studio is no surprise. And, the fact that the movie is just barely okay also is no surprise given the sort of pictures Monogram generally made!

Carole Raymond (Francis) is an actress who has seen better days. Her roles now are few and far between. Despite this she is comfortable and her life seems good...though she is headed for disaster. Why? Because her new business partner with the Friendship Club is a swindler and has been using the matchmaking service to blackmail money out of its members! She only figures this out when one of her dates through the service informs her that they are swindlers...and only moments later, he falls to his death! Of course he's been murdered but Carole is a bit dim and doesn't necessarily know how to put two and two together. And, when she confronts the partner about his crimes, he freely admits it and promises to take her down with him if she goes to the police. Oddly, she agrees to keep her mouth shut...all the while looking for some evidence she can use to prove her innocence and his guilt.

This film has a huge weakness in that MOST people would simply go to the police....and Carole's not doing this seems weak and silly. Additionally, the plot just seems slight and is not the sort of thing a star like Francis deserved. Watchable but flawed.

Not bad at all for a "Poverty Row" production. Have always wanted to see one of Kay Francis' "Monogram Trio". Fairly good story line involving a dating agency she invests in and which leads to all sorts of complications. Also, plenty of familiar faces in support - the faces you know but can't put a name to. Kay looks as ravishing as in her heyday and plays her part in a mostly beautifully subdued way. Unfortunately the print I have is not very good, but, considering she was 47 at the time, this may even compliment her. Not a single wrinkle to be seen!! Well worth watching if you're a Kay Francis fan. A real collector's item.

The last of Kay Francis' "Monogram Trilogy" WIFE WANTED is an absorbing film that holds your attention throughout. The film has atmosphere, with dark edges and a mildly convoluted plot. Francis plays a "fading star" (a better title for the film) who dabbles in real estate. She then discovers she's been duped and co-erced into a lonely-hearts club rackett(after a murder that could implicate her takes place). Francis produced the film and acquired the talents of former co-stars Paul Cavanaugh (from 1931's TRANSGRESSION)and Veda Ann Borg (from 1937's CONFESSION), among others. Teala Loring (Debra Paget's sister), as a duped, down-and-out actress, overplays her part to the extreme, which had the audience howling at a recent showing of the film in San Francisco (11/7/01). Francis looks quite chic and lovely in many scenes, especially in a nightclub sequence, bejeweled and in an amazing white fur. A great musical selection by jazz pianist Edgar Hayes as he maneuvers through a cocktail lounge on wheels is a film highlight. One has to admire Francis' guts and performances in her Monogram films. She underplays to great effect, especially in ALLOTMENT WIVES and this long lost "gem" WIFE WANTED.

Kay Francis (Carole) is an actress who is getting no parts and is persuaded to invest in real estate by Paul Cavanagh (Caldwell) so that he can use her wealthy connections. However, she is soon drawn into his other side-racket which involves blackmailing wealthy clients as they join a dating agency. Francis has no option as Cavanagh has set her up as the guilty party in the murder of Barton Yarborough (Walter Desmond) and he holds this over her. Journalist Robert Shayne (Bill Tyler) is suspicious and joins the agency to solve the mystery of the dead man and meets with Francis.

The film is rushed in parts, for example, the ending just happens all of a sudden. That's that. The film is also, sadly, a bit boring. It starts well but then just gets a bit confusing and dull. The best of the cast is evil Veda Ann Borg (Nola) who plays Cavanagh's partner and heads the dating agency racket. We needed far more from her and far less from Teala Loring (Mildred), a victim of the agency scam, who is appalling. This woman can not act. And it's great when she falls down the stairs. The story has an interesting premise that could have been so much better.