False Pretenses (1935)

A girl who's just lost her job meets a drunk millionaire on a bridge who's just lost his money. They go back to his house, and eventually come up with a plan to benefit them both: he'll ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Lamont

Writers:

Ewart Adamson, Betty Burbridge (story)

Stars:

Irene Ware, Sidney Blackmer, Betty Compson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Irene Ware	...	Mary Beekman
Sidney Blackmer	...	Kenneth Alden (as Sydney Blackmer)
Betty Compson	...	Clarissa Stanhope
Russell Hopton	...	Pat Brennan
Edward Gargan	...	Mike O'Reilly
Ernest Wood	...	Tiffany Cortland
Lucy Beaumont	...	Miss Milgrim
Marshall Ruth	...	Gardner
Dot Farley	...	Mrs. Smythe
John Picorri	...	Soutar (as John Piccori)
Herbert Clifton	...	Bleven
William Humphrey	...	Newman (as William Humphries)

Storyline

A girl who's just lost her job meets a drunk millionaire on a bridge who's just lost his money. They go back to his house, and eventually come up with a plan to benefit them both: he'll scrounge enough money together to teach her how to be a lady, and then introduce her to his rich friends so she can snag a husband, after which she'll pay him a finder's fee. Complications ensue.

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Plot Keywords:

millionaire

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1935 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chesterfield Motion Pictures Corporation (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Mary Beekman: I knew when I met you tonight that you'd come in handy.
Kenneth Alden: Well that's very kind of you.
Mary Beekman: But I couldn't figure out how until a minute ago. I suppose you know everyone in the social register don't you?
Kenneth Alden: Well everyone worth knowing. Of course that eliminates most of them.

User Reviews

Off beat comedy is bit too cynical to be wholly enjoyable

A just fired girl chasing her paycheck meets a broke drunk millionaire on a bridge. He thinks shes going to jump, like he had been intending.She takes him home to his house where they get to talking. Its decided that he will get money together, teacher her to be a lady and then set her out to his rich friends to find a husband and then pay him finders fee. Odd ball romantic(?) comedy drama is decidedly not your run of the mill Hollywood movie. Rarely has a "comedy" been so cynical. Love, even when you find it still is no match for money. The cast is excellent and keeps you watching even when you can't believe how mercenary everyone on screen is. The script is very good with lots of witty lines and exchanges (the early cooking scene is excellent). the script also provides some really good characters that are not the usual assortment of people you find in films of this, or any other sort. If there is a down side its that perhaps the film is much too cynical. There is something about its tone that while amusing prevents you from completely connecting. Certainly its worth a look since odds are you'll not find a film with a similar attitude for 40 years. 6 or 7 out of 10 depending on your mood.