Man Wanted

Fast-paced and well directed, Man Wanted is a compact entertainment that provides a window to early 1930s attitudes on several subjects but doesn't sermonize on any of them. Kay Francis and David Manners are sufficiently colorless to be easily molded by director Dieterle, who adds interesting pictorial touches throughout. Also of great interest is Gregg Toland's remarkable cinematography. The fact that the film is somewhat hard to categorize - is it a melodrama with comic touches or a satire with occasional pathos? - indicates the cleverness of Dieterle and writers Robert Lord and Charles Kenyon. The filmmakers are anything but heavy-handed in their commentary on gender roles, leaving the audience to reach its own conclusions about thorny workplace issues that persist in the 21st century. Adding to the general delight of the film are Andy Devine and Una Merkel in unexpected roles, with Elizabeth Patterson and Edward Van Sloan also glimpsed in very different parts than those for which they are most well known. This gem, seen occasionally on TCM, is well worth your time.

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.

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.

Kay Francis rose to sudden stardom playing a vamp opposite Walter Huston in a very early Paramount talkie called "Gentlemen of the Press"(Par, 1929). By 1930 she was one of that studio's top stars. In late 1931 her three-year contract was expiring and to much surprise she jumped ship to Warner Brothers that had promised her great scripts and a huge salary. The salary was forthcoming but the scripts varied wildly from the classic "One Way Passage"(1932) to the unbelievably bland "The White Angel"(1936) a disastrous William Dieterle directed biography on Florence Nightingale. Gorgeous and charismatic Kay's first vehicle for Warners and her first with Dieterle is this marvelous adult comedy about an emancipated woman who is the boss who needs a new "male" secretary. Running only about 70 minutes this film is a witty, wonderfully directed gem. Kay and Manners are so sexy and charming in their only film together. A must for Francis fans and forgotten classic movie lovers.