Man Wanted

Moderately amusing romantic comedy, stolen by a dazzling Kay Francis. Her commanding presence just about out-shines everything else, including even the scene-stealing Merkel. The story's about upper-class folks trying to get their love life sorted out. Manners is drawn to Francis, but she's married to Thompson who philanders with Dodd, while an aggressive Merkel chases after Manners as a brawny Devine looks on. Worse, they've only got an hour to sort things out. The B-flick's well mounted with a good look at early 30's high fashion. There's some good snappy dialogue, and even though infidelity is treated casually, there's not much pre-Code innuendo. Note too how the script elevates Francis as the competent chief executive of a large firm. In fact, there's something of a subtle feminist thread running through the screenplay. In my book, the movie's main drawback lies with Dieterle's pedestrian direction that lacks the spark needed to blend the parts into a memorable whole.. Anyway, for fans of Francis, it's a showcase, showing again why she's become a cult legend.

Kay Francis is as effortless and bright as ever, and it's nice to see her in the role of an executive. That's one of the things about pre-Code films that I like; aside from pushing the boundaries on sex and violence, they were also (at least sometimes) empowering to women. She works long hours and calls the shots at work but isn't portrayed as having lost her femininity, and in fact the film mocks that stereotype. She supports her lazy husband (Kenneth Thomson) and keeps things professional with her secretary (David Manners) despite their simpatico relationship. She tries to save her marriage when she discovers her husband is seeing someone else (Claire Dodd), even taking the blame when she probably shouldn't. It's a strong, charming character, and she plays it well.

Her secretary's feelings grow towards her, and there is another triangle involved, since he's engaged to another woman (Una Merkel). There's also a buddy character (Andy Devine) who keeps things light with his teasing and goofy character. The film zips along in its short 63 minutes, and the conflicts are all wrapped up without a lot of surprises and probably a little too conveniently. Entertaining, and watch it for Francis.

Favorite lines: David Manners, pondering meaningfully: "I wonder if the realization would be as beautiful as the thought."

Una Merkel (I smiled over this being the reason for love): "Seeing you swank was what made me fall in love with you - the swell way you carried your liquor. Any boy who can get away with what you did, so politely, well, I want him for life."

Claire Dodd, with her smiling face inches away from Kenneth Thomson's: "I didn't trail you all the way to Bar Harbor just to dance with you." Ah, you have to love pre-Code.

The film shows up periodically, and without fanfare, on Turner Classic Movies every now and then when they run early a.m. fests of Kay Francis movies. Yes, it is old, and yes, some of it is outdated, but it also contains some very nice moments. Despite its antiquity, it does succeed in capturing the pain of a man who is deeply in love with a woman he knows he can never have nor even approach. That may sound silly to some readers today, since we now live in an age where men routinely proposition married women (both on and off screen), but frankly, it works. The film is clearly pre-Code---once the Code was installed, any man glancing at a married woman was depicted as a slimy villain. But real life isn't lived in such black and white absolutes, and that is why this undeservedly obscure little film holds up yet today.

This was the first of five outings together for director William Dieterle and Kay Francis. It's highly entertaining and contemporary in feel. Managing editor Kay hires David Manners as her male secretary. Her man-about-town husband, Kenneth Thomson, could care less as he has his eye on playgirl Claire Dodd. When Kay discovers that the emotional charge between her and hubby is lacking and for what reason, she's dissapointed, but holds no grudge. The way this is all written is quite human and provocative. Lovely photography by Gregg Toland(who later did CITIZEN KANE) is impressive. Supporting cast includes Una Merkle and Andy Devine. Kay gives a breezy, yet sensitive portrayal and the film is watchable many times over.

Though the story told in Man Wanted isn't terribly original--or of particular interest--the film is worth seeing for several reasons. Kay Francis is excellent as a business woman who has everything but love (naturally), and David Manners is an affable and pleasant leading man. But the real stars of the film are William Dieterle's expressionistic direction and Gregg Toland's stunning cinematography. Toland's work is exemplary, with shot after shot displaying depth and intelligent composition. And who knows if Dieterle or Toland was ultimately responsible for a fabulous shot of Francis looking through a lace curtain? This is a wonderful looking film only partly let down by a somewhat pedestrian screenplay.