The Devil to Pay!

Ne'er-do-well bon-vivant Willie Hale (Ronald Colman) returns to England in the hope of procuring his 11th 'start-in-life' hand-out from Lord Leland (Frederick Kerr), his wealthy but cantankerous father. Rebuffed but granted 100 quid, he promptly charms family friend Dorothy Hope (a youthful Loretta Young), who becomes enamoured with his casual, fun-loving approach to life. The comedy is an appealing pre-code romance with a few subtle but sly adult jokes and some very sexy outfits. Coleman is great as the irresistible prodigal son as are his three lovely co-stars, Young, Myrna Loy, and Florence Britton. Paul Cavanagh is also quite good as Grand Duke Paul, a stiff, supercilious, humorless toff who is Willie's self-assured but perhaps mercenary rival for Dorothy's affections. For lightweight rom-com fluff, the story, albeit a bit dated and predictable, is good and the film is generally charming.

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.

The title notwithstanding, this is a cute little romantic comedy from 1930, and features a lot of star power in Ronald Colman, Myrna Loy, and a very young Loretta Young. Colman is the devil-may-care son of a rich old man who has squandered various opportunities, and is returning home from his most recent in British East Africa. He's so charming and smooth, and you can't help but like the lightness with which he approaches life. He's got a girlfriend in theater star Myrna Loy, but soon falls for the engaged daughter of a friend of the family, Loretta Young. It's interesting to consider the ages of these actors: Young, fresh-faced and just 17(!), Loy, 25, and Colman, 39, but somehow he pulls it off. Young is a bit too girlish in the early scenes in the film, but settles in eventually, and is also quite endearing. Watch it for the two of them.

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".

How can you miss with a cast like Ronald Colman, Loretta Young, and Myrna Loy? The answer is you can't miss. Although Young is a bit cloying in the early part of the film, she is radiant to watch, and a worthy target of the neer do well, Colman. Loy is perfect as the wise-cracking girlfriend who is doomed to second place in the Colman stakes. Colman was perfect for these roles, and would repeat them several times over the course of his career,. Oddly enough, he was at his best in dramatic roles, such as Lost Horizon. Young would go on to date Clark Gable instead of Colman. Loy would gain fame with William Powell in the popular Thin Man series of films. Add a star if you are a soap lover.