We're in the Money

This is one of the better of all those very similar Blondell and Farrell comedies of the mid thirties. It's not brilliant but some thought and effort have gone into this one and the cast seem to be enjoying themselves - that lets us enjoy watching them. These days those pictures would probably have been made as a tv sit-com - they've got a comforting familiarity about them which makes you want to see them all but they do tend to merge into one.....except MISS PACIFIC FLEET which is truly awful.

This one has quite an interesting twisty plot, a lovely upbeat feel to it and some genuinely funny moments. Joan and Glenda both exude warmth and charm and are instantly likeable. Glenda and of course Joan are both gorgeous so are also instantly watchable. Being made after the infamous production code was enforced however means that Joan Blondell is a little more conservatively dressed than in her earlier films but she's still got the sexiest smile anyone's ever had.

It only lasts just over an hour so it's all quite lively but there is a lot of Hugh Herbert who does seem to repeat the same scene several times. He is funny in small doses but perhaps he's in this just a little too much. That same befuddled character he always plays does tend to wear a bit thin after a while. He's still just about amusing in this very silly, very fun little picture.

"We're in the Money" is a comedy romance that pairs Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell in one of five films they made together. In this one, they are process servers hired by Hugh Herbert, a shady lawyer, Homer Bronson, who has had a hard time trying to serve warrants on various characters.

As two attractive bombshells, Joan's Ginger Stewart and Glenda's Dixie Tilton, are able to fenagle their way into the inner sanctums of men and catch their prey. But, for their last target, it becomes complicated when Ginger falls for Richard Courtney, played by Ross Alexander. He has been disguised as a chauffeur named Carter, just to avoid being served.

One might wonder how Herbert's Bronson ever got through any law school to become an attorney. But then, some of us have seen some real blockheads and daffy lawyers.

The film has some scenes with funny antics and situations. And, it has stretches of humorous dialog. If ever there were two subpoena servers like these, they would be the best in the business. This may be the best film of the two female leads. These aren't anywhere near the top comedies of Hollywood for the period, but they are okay for light entertainment.

Here are some favorite lines from this film. For more comedy dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.

Ginger Stewart, "But you told me that you won't be a chauffeur for long." Carter, "That's right. In a few days, and I'll be out of this uniform." Stewart, "Oh, I'm sorry. I like you in this uniform. But you won't tell me what you're gonna be?" Carter, "Well you won't even tell me what you are now." Stewart, "It doesn't matter. Cause what I am now I'm not gonna be for long, either."

Carter, "I wish whoever's honking that horn would stop. I had to combine business with pleasure."

Dixie Tilton, "In a town full of big cars, you have to fall for a chauffeur."

Ginger Stewart, "I'm going to be busy and won't be able to see you." Carter, "I was wondering how I was going to break the same sad news to you." Ginger, "You going on a trip?" Carter, "Just a short one. But it'll clear up a lot of things, for us."

Ginger Stewart, "I have to go." Carter, "It'll be a long wait. But I guess there's nothing either of us can do about it." Stewart, "Well, as long as it has to be, it's nice we both picked the same time. After that, things'll be different." Carter, "For both of us."

Carter, "Have you ever been in love?" Jevons, "Not in recent years, sir." Carter, "Marvelous feeling, wasn't it?" Jevons, "I've heard it spoken of very highly, sir."

Carter, "Jevons, have I ever told you about her eyes? They're like..." Jevons, "Two spoonfuls of the Mediterranean. Yes, sir."

Butch Gonzola, "C'mon, Clancy." Policeman Clancy O'Rourke, "Yeah, we need each other's protection."

All I can say is any Warner film that has ROSS Alexander and PHIL REGAN in supporting roles is already in trouble. Ross has no sparks as a leading man running away from a process server (Joan Blondell) and Regan's high-pitched tenor is hard on the ears. For comic slant we have HUGH HERBERT in another one of his stereotyped roles to gather whatever laughs there are from a motorboat out of control.

Then we have JOAN BLONDELL and GLENDA FARRELL fast talking their way through an "Okay, toots" kind of script and we have more trouble ahead as the two leading ladies blunder their way through one mistake after another in search of good comedic results. The script is no help, with Blondell getting dumped overboard from a yacht several times in a row.

Mercifully, the programmer is only 66 minutes in length, but seems longer than that. Not recommended to anyone but die hard Joan Blondell fans who apparently think she's great in everything, no matter how ridiculous the plotting is or how slim the material.

Best parts of this typically so so Ray Enright comedy are the ones where Joan Blondell and Glendale Farrell are riffing off each other and, in the process, providing us with one of the more inspired comedy duos of 1930s Hollywood. Joan's ditzinness contrasts perfectly with Farrell's deadpan wisecracks, kind of like Harpo and Groucho without tiresome Chico. Their talents are at their best in the nightclub scene where they effortlessly combine to nail the oleaginous crooner with a jury summons. Other than that, though, the movie kind of drags with scenes that try too hard (throwing Joan overboard from the yacht, the gangster stuff) alternating with scenes that are more weird/distasteful than quirky/funny (the wrestling sequence). And a little of Hugh Herbert, kind of a poor man's Ed Wynn, goes an awfully long way. Give it a C plus.

EARLY Joan Blondell.. LOVE HER in Desk Set, but that was about twenty years after this. She and Glenda Farrell were silly working girls in all those black and whites in the 1930s and 1940s... Ginger and Dixie are process servers, and are trying to get out of such a dangerous business. Their boss has one last assignment for them, and after being offered a huge amount, this will be their last caper, serving the big mob boss who doesn't want to be served. Ginger has a beau Carter, played by Ross Alexander. Sadly, Alexander offed himself a couple years after this film was released. The Hays film code had just started being strictly enforced, and this clearly was not good news for Alexander, as his lifestyle could not be kept quiet, and this clashed with the studio big-shots. Silly, vaudeville man Hugh Herbert is the goofy attorney, and is clearly here for the laughs. Some fun cameos, or almost cameos... a young Lionel Stander (Max.. from Hart to Hart) has several spoken lines. Walter Brennan is a guest at the wedding, and according to IMDb, Mayo Methot's scene was deleted. Also several songs by actor/singer Phil Regan... he had quite the adventures after his acting days, if you look him up on wikipedia. This one is fun, and scurries right along. Story is pretty straight forward, and has some clever lines. I recommend this one. Pretty surprised at the low rating... only a 6.. but of course, only 140 votes so far. Hopefully TCM will show this one more often.