User reviews

Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall enjoy "Breakfast for Two" in this 1937 comedy which also stars Eric Blore, Brenda Farrell, and Donald Meek.

Stanwyck is Valentine Ransome from Texas, who meets playboy Jonathan Blair one night and ends up spending the night at his apartment. No, it's not precode, it's just that Blair's dog frightened her when she went for the door. Valentine is attracted to Jonathan, but he appears to have a lack of direction. He runs his family shipping company and has just about plowed it into the ground.

Valentine buys the company in the hopes that Jonathan will get in there and make good. Meanwhile, she has to worry about his marriage to an actress (Glenda Farrell) and how she's going to stop it.

Some hilarious scenes, including a chorus of window washers and a funny performance by Donald Meek as the poor justice of the peace. As the dizzy actress Carol, Glenda Farrell is a riot.

There's some slapstick that involves Marshall which I assume was done with a stand-in since he had an artificial leg - but it was done seamlessly.

Beautiful sets and nice production values, a cute comedy, with the young Stanwyck looking beautiful.

Rich drunken playboy Jonathan Blair (Herbert Marshall) wakes up in the morning to find Valentine Ransome (Barbara Stanwyck) ready to leave. He had passed out and she brought him home after a night of partying. Actress Carol Wallace, one of his girlfriends, shows up to find them having breakfast. Valentine vows to reform the irresponsible, spoiled, womanizing playboy despite only met him once and then marry him.

Stanwyck has plenty of fun with her smile and her sass. She has a great bit with boxing. She's all kinds of fun. He's a fine foil. It's not the hottest of romances but it's good light fun.

Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall had some fine movie performances to their credit when they starred in "Breakfast for Two." Stanwyck was one of the best actresses at the time, equally at home with mysteries, drama, and comedy. She especially excelled in the latter. While he did some comedies, Marshall was more known and regarded for his dramatic works. Some of his comedies were quite good, but others not so. This isn't one of his good roles. It may not be all his fault though. The idea for the plot is a good one, but the screenplay doesn't pull it off well. For instance, Marshall's Jonathan Blair changes so suddenly from his devil-may-care attitude and disinterest in his business, to one of protecting the family tradition that it just isn't believable. The directing and film editing likely played a hand in this as well. There were other little things that didn't quite ring true with Blair's character. He wakes with a hangover after sleeping on a couch. Yet his clothes are neat as can be and not a tussle of his hair appears out of place. He doesn't act like he has a hangover.

Stanwyck's Valentine Ransome is excellent. No more needs to be said about her. There are a couple of very hilarious scenes in the film, but not much witty dialog. Eric Blore and Donald Meek give good performances to enhance the movie. No one can play a butler so amusingly as Eric Blore. His part as Butch is big enough that it helps Stanwyck carry the film.

"Breakfast for Two" isn't full of laughs, but it's a light comedy that most should enjoy. Stanwyck has a large portfolio of very good films, so this isn't one I would keep in my library.

Watched this 1937 comedy recently on Turner Classic Movies and laughed (out loud) harder than I have in a long while. That's saying something, as I am usually one of those "just smile when something is funny" type of people (those of you like me know what I mean ;)).

Although I am a fan of Stanwyck and Marshall, the incomparable character performances of Eric Blore (the Valet - "Butch") and Donald Meek (the Judge) STOLE the show. I am still laughing as I remember.

You may not remember the names of Blore and Meek, but if you have watched (practically) ANY movie from the 20's, 30's or 40's, you will recognize their faces (usually as butlers, bankers, judges, or valets --combined - the two were in over 200 films in those 30 years!)

As previous reviewers have said, this movie is pure fun, lite comedy, with some of our most loved actors - worth the watch and GUARANTEED for a belly laugh!

Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall starred in Breakfast For Two with her as a Texas oil heiress and he as dissolute playboy living off his dad's trust fund.

Both Stanwyck and her dad Frank Thomas are in town as minority stockholders of the shipping company that was the business that gave Marshall the fortune he enjoys. The company from poor management looks like it's going under. Stanwyck who wakes up in Marshall's apartment after she brought him home in a drunken state can't leave because of his trusty Great Dane. The film begins here and it's obvious a large portion of film was cut away giving more background to the story.

Stanwyck played a few madcap heiresses in her salad days. Marshall does all right. But his part really calls for someone like Cary Grant or William Powell especially with a lot of physical comedy involved. Given the fact that Marshall was missing a leg due to injuries in the First World War I sincerely doubt he was doing any pratfalls. Those were done in long shot and clearly by a double.

Glenda Farrell does well here as the fiancé Marshall is supposed to marry. Highlight of the film is how Stanwyck breaks up the wedding. Farrell gets hysterical as the justice of the peace Donald Meek who is trying to give out with some boring homily about, yes the birds and the bees. Meek is very funny. So is Eric Blore as Marshall's ever helpful valet.

Too bad Cary Grant wasn't available.

Well-dressed Texas heiress Barbara Stanwyck (as Valentine Ransome) wakes up in a wealthy New York stranger's bed. Womanizing resident Herbert Marshall (as Jonathan Blair) passed out on the couch, after Ms. Stanwyck saw him home safely. A well-trained Great Dane named "Pee Wee" doesn't allow Mr. Marshall's female guests leave until after breakfast. So, Stanwyck and Marshall have "Breakfast for Two" and are mutually attracted...

Too bad Marshall is already engaged to flashy actress Glenda Farrell (as Carol Wallace). Marshall could be a ventriloquist, but not a bigamist. Everyone works it out, in fairly amusing fashion. Marshall's stunt double helps his a boxing match, but the film's chief asset is devoted butler Eric Blore (as Butch).

****** Breakfast for Two (10/27/37) Alfred Santell ~ Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall, Eric Blore, Glenda Farrell

I would have given this a 4 based on the pathetic script but stanwyck is so captivating to that it deserves a 6 just for her sparkle. There are some nice sets and costumes but this was a pretty bad screwball even by generous screwball era standards in my view. I also think that the male leads we're totally miscast opposite stanwyck who is a tour de force by this time. Bad scripts like this led her to protest her contract.

A New York playboy & a Texas rich girl enjoy BREAKFAST FOR TWO after a wild night on the town.

Here is a screwball comedy which derives its humor more from the fine acting of its cast than from zany situations. When these situations do appear late in the film the characters are well established in the viewer's mind, adding extra zest to some very funny sequences.

Barbara Stanwyck stars as the highly determined young woman who uses her considerable resources to save the man she loves from his improvident lifestyle. This was an actress equally adept at the grittiest drama or the lightest comedy. Her timing was impeccable and her delivery uniquely all her own. As the object of her affections, Herbert Marshall makes excellent use of his suave demeanor and marvelous speaking voice to add a soupçon of sophistication to his character's wastrel ways.

An excellent supporting cast gets fully involved in the zany proceedings. Brassy Glenda Farrell plays the dumb blonde actress who adores Marshall; good-hearted & jolly, the plot really does treat her unkindly. Eric Blore is wonderful as Marshall's faithful, scheming valet. Tiny chittering Etienne Girardot plays Marshall's elderly office manager. Donald Meek, as a flustered little Justice of the Peace, gets to preside over three of the funniest wedding ceremonies ever committed to film.

RKO has given the film very fine production values, as epitomized by the mansion sets shown in the opening sequence. And what about those crazy window washers?!

Texas socialite (Barbara Stanwyck) falls for bankrupt playboy (Herbert Marshall) dating a ditzy actress (Glenda Farrell). With help from Marshall's butler (Eric Blore), she sets out to reform him. First step is to buy his business to cut off his income so perhaps he will be forced to work. Then she tries to get him untangled from Farrell. Delightful little romantic comedy with a great cast. Stanwyck may not be a believable Texan but she's still likable and fun. Marshall is also a little hard to swallow as shiftless but his charm overcomes that. Eric Blore and Glenda Farrell offer terrific support. Wait til you see how Stanwyck breaks up a wedding. Kind of gave me the creeps!

In the mid thirties, spurred on by the success of their Fred and Ginger movies, RKO seemed to make everything look like those: all white and shiny. This film feels like it was made by a focus group: lifeless, formulaic and not funny.

Flashy art deco sets and even Eric Blore add to the Fed and Ginger feel of this but that only highlights the lack of charismatic leads. What - Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall not charismatic? Absolutely - their characters are just so one dimensional. They aren't funny, mainly because they're not believable enough to engage with. Eight writers were involved in this and this is the best they could come up with!

Herbert Marshall is particularly ill-suited to this poorly written role. No way in a million years can you believe he's a wayward playboy. Eric Blore does what he always does which is amusing for a while but not enough for an hour and a half.

Barbara Stanwyck is the most disappointing aspect of this. Just a few years earlier in the pre-code era, whatever she was in, she was an human grenade exploding with raw energy, natural sex appeal and sheer emotion. In this she isn't the Barbara Stanwyck we know, she's airbrushed into an amalgamation of every glamorous Hollywood leading lady of the day. Like Marshall, she's in the wrong picture. She could of course do comedy, BALL OF FIRE was brilliant but that was well written whereas this is just bland.

The dog is quite funny.

The film begins with rich and drunk playboy Herbert Marshall being taken to his home by nice girl Barbara Stanwyck. The butler's reaction (Eric Blore) at seeing her in the shower instead of his master is priceless! It seems that the Stanwyck and Marshall met the night before while he was on a bender and they share some sweet moments over breakfast. However, the nice moment is interrupted when Marshall finds that the fun and games are over, as he is practically broke and his family steamship line is about to be sold. Unknown to all, Barbara is loaded with cash and she buys the business and plans on letting Marshall run it--hoping to make him more responsible and her future husband! When Marshall discovers her plan, he is understandably miffed and immediately proposes to another woman!

This is a film that fans of old time Hollywood can enjoy. More "sophistsicated" viewers might see the premise of the film as very contrived and silly (which it is), but the point of the film is to enjoy the journey and NOT question the implausibility. Let me explain.... The film stars some excellent actors (Herbert Marshall and Barbara Stanwyck) and are very ably supported by some wonderful familiar faces--in particular, Eric Blore and Donald Meek. Unlike more modern films which often rely heavily on the stars, like some of the best 1930s films the supporting players give the film life and provide great laughs--providing a wonderful balance that is often missing in newer films. Heck, considering Blore's performance alone, I'd strongly recommend this movie. His appearances in TOP HAT and many other films of the 1930s did so much to improve the films, so I look forward to him at least at much as I looked forward to Stanwyck and Marshall! Also, while the plot is silly, the writing of the characters and dialog is amazingly witty and clever. In particular, the last 15 minutes of the film are sparkling and you can't help but laugh out loud--it's THAT good! Just turn off your brain and enjoy!

Breakfast for Two (1937)

** (out of 4)

A tough as nails Texas woman (Barbara Stanwyck) tries to break a playboy (Herbert Marshall) from some of his bad habits. This screwball comedy didn't really work for me mainly because I didn't feel anything between the two main characters. Eric Blore steals the show as the butler and the highlight happens at the start of the film when he goes into the bathroom to drop off some towels and notices it's not his boss in the shower but Stanwyck. There's also a talking dog on hand, which is somewhat more eerie than funny. There's also a subplot dealing with Marshall marrying a woman but I'm pretty sure you know how this romantic comedy will end.

Ultra-lightweight screwball comedy that works in spots, thanks to the heroic efforts of the cast. The premise is ridiculous even by genre standards, and Stanwyck's obsessive campaign to win Marshall by hook or crook borders on the psychopathic. Still, most of it goes by pleasantly enough, and the two wedding scenes are funny. The last act, though, loses focus, and the ending is pretty weak.

In short, it's both watchable and forgettable. What I can't figure out is why they called it Breakfast For Two when Stanwyck offers a far better title in a throwaway line: "Blame it on the night."

Breakfast for Two (1937) : Brief Review -

Though too little to make it big, I would still call it a good "screwball" for its portrayal of two quirky characters in a sweet manner. The film was a box office flop, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a charming film. The screwball genre had seen better classics in the 1930s that have become all-time favorites; hence, this one feels a bit lesser. Nevertheless, it does quite well for its genre and its length. The film runs for 67 minutes, so I can't expect more than what it offers. Had it been a little longer, like the standard runtime of 90 minutes, then I might have had valid reasons to critique it. For 67 minutes, it's a delightful screwball comedy. Breakfast for Two follows an idle playboy, Jonathan, who, after getting drunk, spends a night with a Texan woman, Valentine, who then spends the night at his mansion. The next morning, Jonathan doesn't remember anything, but Valentine has fallen in love with him. She decides to reel him in by putting him in a bind. She buys the controlling interest in his shipping firm, and he stops receiving money, which he used to indulge in all that debauchery. Now, he must fight back and regain his company, just as Valentine has planned, but Jon's annoying girlfriend, Carol, is in the way. Jon and Carol are set to be married. Will Valentine be able to stop it? You might know the answer already, but it's fun to see it unfold on screen. The cuteness and quirky nature of both lead characters make it enchanting. Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall look good together, but I wish they had more romantic scenes. The lack of that hurts significantly. Alfred Santell's direction was decent, but I feel for him. The film was a flop and hasn't even received its due over the years. But trust me, it's definitely a one-time watch and genuinely funny for its genre.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

This movie was my first Barbara Stanwyck experience, so I perhaps enjoy it for more sentimental reasons than most. However, it is a terrific screwball comedy. Where else do you get Eric Blore (being his wonderful self), a talking dog, and Barbara Stanwyck wearing a boxing glove? I strongly recommend it to any Stanwyck fan. It is quite humorous and enjoyable. It's a cute little film and one of my all-time favorite comedies.

Herbert Marshall is the last of a line of men who have built up a major shipping company. He's more interested in enjoying the fruits of their labor, so he's nonplussed when the firm goes bust and the officers' salaries are suspended. He's broke. But Texas girl Barbara Stanwyck takes a shine to him, and with many a metaphor about training horses, she determines to get him back on the track by taking over the company. He likes her tremendously until she starts this, and determines to marry bird-brained actress Glenda Farrell.

Like many a crazy comedy, it doesn't quite work in the last scene, but there's a lot of fun getting there, with a troupe of window-washers led by Bobby Barber in a bushy beard showing up to wreck the wedding, conducted by Donald Meek, who doesn't know Marshall's name. Director Alfred Santell uses his experience from Sennett to set up the gags well; Marshall and Miss Stanwyck offer fine comedy performances, and Eric Blore and Etienne Giradot offer their talents.

Jonathan has picked up Miss Ransome. or has Miss Ransome picked up Jonathan? Stanwyck and Marshall star as hot new romantic couple. and the awesome Eric Blore is the sarcastic guardian butler. Donald Meeks is in here too! it just doesn't get better than that crew. big star Glenda Farrell is in here as the "first" girlfriend. that's trouble. and Jonathan has a HUGE dalmation. more trouble. and Jonathan is broke again. MORE trouble, considering he's written checks all over town. when the chips are down, Miss Ransome takes advantage and makes a shrewd business deal that puts her on top. but now Jonathan is mad at her. can they iron it out? it's a fun romp. made in the peaceful, happy pre-war time. directed by Al Santell. started in the silents. made this one and Interns Can't take Money with Stanwyck in the same year. story by David Garth. it's a really clever script. and it's Barbara Stanwyck!