In a plot reminiscent of 1933's Bombshell, Mae plays an ill-tempered conceited Hollywood diva hounded by scandal thanks to her sneaky press agent. West and Warren Williams are severely miscast and the show looks like it's going to be a major stink bomb until a fine ensemble of character actors steal the movie (and all the laughs) away from the principals.
Isabel Jewell and Elizabeth Patterson are a delight as always and it is the inimitable Nicodemus Stewart whose well-crafted antics and delivery provide the only inspired humor to be found here. The staff of the rural boarding house have real chemistry and their scenes have that breezy spontaneity viewers found so comforting in the 30s.
Although the dialogue is credited to West, she doesn't sprinkle much wit about her. Her character is sullen and irritable with no redeeming qualities. Even her gowns seem a little frumpy (that time of the month, Mae?). Warren Williams actually looks ill. His hair is a fright. He gives this comedy a manly effort and almost succeeds, but just can't muster the wise-guy mischievousness of a Lee Tracy. Neither he nor West are helped by the editing of their scenes which often look like several bad takes cobbled together.
Isabel Jewell and Elizabeth Patterson are a delight as always and it is the inimitable Nicodemus Stewart whose well-crafted antics and delivery provide the only inspired humor to be found here. The staff of the rural boarding house have real chemistry and their scenes have that breezy spontaneity viewers found so comforting in the 30s.
Although the dialogue is credited to West, she doesn't sprinkle much wit about her. Her character is sullen and irritable with no redeeming qualities. Even her gowns seem a little frumpy (that time of the month, Mae?). Warren Williams actually looks ill. His hair is a fright. He gives this comedy a manly effort and almost succeeds, but just can't muster the wise-guy mischievousness of a Lee Tracy. Neither he nor West are helped by the editing of their scenes which often look like several bad takes cobbled together.