And One Was Beautiful

Helen Lattimer (Jean Muir) is a society-climbing upper-class debutante. Kate Lattimer (Laraine Day) is her younger tomboy sister. Kate hits it off with playboy Ridley Crane, but he's interested in the more glamorous Helen. One night, Helen encounters a drunken Ridley driving his car. He passes out and she tries to drive him home. She struggles with the car and runs over a bicyclist. She abandons the unconscious Ridley who takes the fall for the crime.

This starts like a social formal. I'm barely interested in getting dressed up for the ball. The car incident woke me up. From that point on, it's a much more interesting story about morality. I love that Helen turns into this character. The writing is a little stiff. I wouldn't mind giving more comeuppance for Helen. I don't think that Ridley is developed enough. The ending leaves me a little wanting, but I am just so fascinated with Helen.

Had no idea what I was going to experience viewing this old film from 1940. However, I always enjoy viewing Laraine Day, (Katie Lattimer) who plays the role as a younger sister to Jean Muir, (Helen Lattimer) and also their mother, Billie Burke, (Mrs. Julia Lattimer). Thought I was going to be bored with the story of two sister's and a mother who is overly protective of her daughters until they meet up with Robert Cummings, (Ridley Crane) who has the reputation of being a millionaire playboy who has plenty of gals and is a heavy drinker who parties all the time. One night, Helen Lattimer goes on a date with Ridley and he proceeds to get bombed out of his mind and simply cannot drive his car. It is at this point in the film when this becomes a drama and changes the complete direction of this film which will definitely hold your attention right to the very end of the film.

If you can handle the sudden switch in tone midstream, this is an unconventionally enjoyable rom-com. Jean Muir overdoes the melodrama, but we're more than compensated by Loraine Day's strong and sympathetic character. Bonus: I learned to always sit on the coconuts, not the tomatoes.