Robert Montgomery is smooth and snappy as the artist—er, newspaper cartoonist—known as "Piccadilly Jim." He introduces us to his father, unemployed actor Frank Morgan: "He does Shakespeare or nothing. In other words, nothing." Montgomery and Morgan lead a great cast in this very funny comedy of misunderstood motives and assumed identities.
Madge Evans is witty and lovely as the girl Montgomery spots in a restaurant and then pursues from England to America. Their romance is, of course, full of bumps and misunderstandings; Evans and Montgomery make a great pair, both of them slightly less nutty than their families, and both completely beautiful and lovable.
Madge's two aunts are also splendid. Cora Witherspoon is loud, bossy and funny as the social climber trying to prevent her female relatives from falling in love with the wrong men; and Billie Burke, who carries on a rather secretive affair with old smooth talker Morgan, is just about perfect—funny, sweet, slightly ditzy yet quietly knowing in her own way. The scenes between Burke and Morgan are really delightful—two great character actors at their absolute best.
Eric Blore is hilarious as Montgomery's faithful and eminently correct valet; he completely refuses to be discouraged when his repeated attempts to tell an anecdote about Robert the Bruce are rebuffed.
Besides the great cast, the direction is crisp and the script is excellent—a plot that is silly but holds together, packed with characters who are full of foibles but never really wicked. Lots of fun.
Madge Evans is witty and lovely as the girl Montgomery spots in a restaurant and then pursues from England to America. Their romance is, of course, full of bumps and misunderstandings; Evans and Montgomery make a great pair, both of them slightly less nutty than their families, and both completely beautiful and lovable.
Madge's two aunts are also splendid. Cora Witherspoon is loud, bossy and funny as the social climber trying to prevent her female relatives from falling in love with the wrong men; and Billie Burke, who carries on a rather secretive affair with old smooth talker Morgan, is just about perfect—funny, sweet, slightly ditzy yet quietly knowing in her own way. The scenes between Burke and Morgan are really delightful—two great character actors at their absolute best.
Eric Blore is hilarious as Montgomery's faithful and eminently correct valet; he completely refuses to be discouraged when his repeated attempts to tell an anecdote about Robert the Bruce are rebuffed.
Besides the great cast, the direction is crisp and the script is excellent—a plot that is silly but holds together, packed with characters who are full of foibles but never really wicked. Lots of fun.