Goodbye Again

The awesome Joan Blondell is assistant to popular writer Kenneth Bixby (Warren William). Bixby and Julie (Genevieve Tobin ) had dated way back when... which could be a problem, as Julie is now married to Harvey (vaudeville guy Hugh Herbert). William would probably best be known from the "Lone Wolf" films and the detective Philo Vance films. and the incredible Joan Blondell would go on to do How to Marry a Millionaire and Desk Set. The story is so-so. the picture and sound quality are quite good, for such an oldie. The plot is pretty lighweight and flimsy, but ah well. Herbert is quite understated in this one; in some of his films, he plays the mumbling, absent-minded cluck, and goes over the top. Not so much in this one. It's more of a love-triangle farce. must have been made JUST before the enforcement of the film production code... story of a married woman running after a single man wouldn't be considered proper pretty soon. and a son in addition! Blondell had started right about when the talkies were invented, but she's stuck in a light little caper here. Another Michael Curtiz production, but nothing on the level of Casablanca, which he would make ten years later.

About halfway through I realised I'd seen this before - only about a year ago but I'd instantly forgotten it. Kind of sums this nondescript nonsense.

Although we've got Michael Curtiz in the chair and Joan Blondell in full cuteness mode, what we haven't got is fun or drama or indeed entertainment.

Two problems: the studio and the cast.

Obviously WB made all sorts of movie genres back in the early 30s but those which stand the test of time are those in tune with the people struggling to get by as a result of the depression. This movie isn't about those people, it's about people we don't really care about. This type of movie needs more gloss so might have been better had it been made by Paramount etc. Who were used to that more superficial style.

Second problem - William Warren and Joan Blondell were the unlikely couple who just clicked a few months earlier in the fantastic Gold Diggers of 1933 - they're here again playing not too dissimilar roles but in this one they just don't click, there's zero chemistry between them. When we watch these types of romantic comedies (although this one isn't funny) we're hoping that the boy and the girl get together and live happily ever after. That doesn't happen in this, it just makes us annoyed that lovely Joan throwing herself someone whom we have no empathy for and clearly doesn't deserve her. There are quite a few underlying themes in this which, if better written, could have been explored more, maybe turning it into a more dramatic film rather than a weak comedy but as it is, it's a waste of everyone's talent.

Warren William is the very successful romance novelist Kenneth Bixby. He is on a publicity tour for his new book "Miriam" with his assistant / lover (?) Anne Rogers (Joan Blondell).

They're in Cleveland for the usual round of radio interviews, lectures, and book signings when his old college flame shows up at his hotel. Julie Wilson (Genevieve Tobin) is a delusional dingbat married woman who is convinced that Kenneth never got over their brief romance and that she is the inspiration for many of his books. She shows up to renew their affair and isn't aware that Kenneth barely remembers who she is.

Kenneth, being true to his lothario nature, sees an opportunity to add another notch to his bedpost so he arranges to go out with her ... but assures Anne that he will be a perfect Cad with her to discourage any further delusions of romance. While he steps out to escort her downstairs to a taxi Julie's sister and brother-in-law show up at his room. They engage Anne in a plan to keep Kenneth away from Julie, because they know how crazy she is and how likely she is to throw herself at him. After they leave, Julie's husband arrives, but he's not upset or anything, he's just tired of hearing about Kenneth and simply wants to meet him in person.

The rest of the film revolves around this motley crew as they hound Kenneth from Cleveland to the train bound for Albany to his hotel room in Albany ... and there are some really funny moments!

Warren William shows that he's just as adept at playing comedy as he is playing the nefarious type, and Joan Blondell is fabulous as the world-wise wise-cracking assistant.

Recommended!

A popular author and his gritty secretary have trouble when a still smoldering old flame and her addled husband show up unannounced.

I'm in a minority, but I found this Pre-Code farce both strained and talky. In fact the gab rarely lets up, which would be okay if the lines were snappier. But too much of the dialog is stagy and pedestrian. Then too, the estimable Warren William almost shouts his lines as though this makes them and him funny. It doesn't. The towering William is much better when presiding ruthlessly over empires. Unfortunately, the film can't seem to decide whether to madcap or not. Too bad also, that the humorously addled Hugh Herbert is largely wasted in an oddly recessive role.

And though this is minor, I had trouble telling the three blonde ladies apart since the resemblances are rather striking. Blondell is, of course, Blondell, perfectly cast as the take-charge secretary. She's a sassy treasure from that era, regardless of the material. Then too, Pre-Code means the screenplay can play fast and loose with mores of the time, which it does, adultery and wedlock paternity getting tossed off like gum wrappers. In fact, such is the main reason I tuned in.

Anyhow, a more apt leading man and a snappier script might have made the 65-minutes less forgettable. Unfortunately, farcical material was done much better in the same time frame, e.g. One Hour With You (1932), Trouble In Paradise (1932).

Delightfully absurd comedy in which Joan Blondell is the long suffering secretary to a bestselling author (Warren William) who is being pursued by his ex girlfriend (Genevieve Tobin) who is convinced she is the model for the heroines of his books. To add to the confusion, her sister and brother-in-law turn up, determined to avert a scandal, and her hapless husband also gets dragged into the perplexing situation. It is all very funny with Warren William particularly amusing as the egotistical but charming author. A treat for anyone who enjoys screwball comedy.