CLARK GABLE and CONSTANCE BENNETT never seem to run out of fast talk and wisecracks, giving this romantic comedy/mystery a lift simply by lending their star presence to a breezy newspaper tale that seems to be the forerunner of more substantial news stories like THE FRONT PAGE or HIS GIRL Friday.
It has a strictly '30s look, with Bennett outfitted in clinging costumes that show off her slender society gal figure, spouting smart and sassy lines with great effect--as she did in TOPPER. Gable is surprisingly adroit with his newspaper man guy, brash and confident as only Gable can be, equally good at delivering the sharp dialog, especially when he's barking orders over the phone at his assistant, HENRY TRAVERS. BILLIE BURKE is Bennett's society lady mother, fluttery and featherbrained, as usual.
The film hits a snag when the story involves the murder of a young woman and Bennett is assigned to cover the story. The unexpected change from breezy comedy to murder mystery has an uneven feeling. WILLIAM DEMAREST is wasted in a brief role as the lead detective. STUART IRWIN has the thankless role of Gable's sidekick supposedly supplying the comic relief.
It's Gable who suspects who the real murderer is (after the wrong suspect has been nailed by police), and he spends the last fifteen minutes solving the crime.
Summing up: Not too bad, but not very original either, saved by the combined talents and good chemistry of Gable and Bennett.
It has a strictly '30s look, with Bennett outfitted in clinging costumes that show off her slender society gal figure, spouting smart and sassy lines with great effect--as she did in TOPPER. Gable is surprisingly adroit with his newspaper man guy, brash and confident as only Gable can be, equally good at delivering the sharp dialog, especially when he's barking orders over the phone at his assistant, HENRY TRAVERS. BILLIE BURKE is Bennett's society lady mother, fluttery and featherbrained, as usual.
The film hits a snag when the story involves the murder of a young woman and Bennett is assigned to cover the story. The unexpected change from breezy comedy to murder mystery has an uneven feeling. WILLIAM DEMAREST is wasted in a brief role as the lead detective. STUART IRWIN has the thankless role of Gable's sidekick supposedly supplying the comic relief.
It's Gable who suspects who the real murderer is (after the wrong suspect has been nailed by police), and he spends the last fifteen minutes solving the crime.
Summing up: Not too bad, but not very original either, saved by the combined talents and good chemistry of Gable and Bennett.