She Wanted a Millionaire

Joan Bennett plays a good girl who wants to marry a millionaire to help her poor family. Spencer Tracy is a good-intentioned railroad man by the name of Kelley (that's E-Y, the right way!) who would like to take care of her, but he doesn't own a gold mine. Bennett enters a beauty contest, with Una Merkel as her wisecracking chaperone, and wins the attention of a millionaire (James Kirkwood). That crazy girl doesn't even bother to confirm he actually has the millions before marrying him, and finds out he's been married several times before, and that he doesn't want children. The union is miserable, and Kirkwood is extremely jealous, and keeps her away from everyone she loves. Bennett is gorgeous and gives a smart performance playing a less savvy character. Tracy's charisma easily makes us root for him despite the odds. It might have been nice if director John Blystone let Bennett's appearance suffer as her character became more isolated and depressed.

"She Wanted A Millionaire" is a trifling story made palatable by the presence of the two stars, and unworthy of their talents. I wonder if this picture broke any new ground in long ago 1932; in fact, it did, as the story parallels a similar real-life scandal in which a beauty contestant married a millionaire which subsequently involved a murder.

That slim thread may be responsible for any success the film may have had in the 30's but is an insufficient reason for anyone to pursue it now. It is dated and devoid of humor and good feeling and interesting only as an early look at the budding careers of two Hollywood newcomers who eventually made it big.

Shown at Capitolfest, Rome NY, 8/13/21.

*****5/10 - Website no longer prints my star rating.