Love on the Run (1936)A runaway bride and an undercover reporter get caught up in political intrigue as they lead a merry chase across Europe and uncover a spy plot. Director:W.S. Van Dyke |
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Love on the Run (1936)A runaway bride and an undercover reporter get caught up in political intrigue as they lead a merry chase across Europe and uncover a spy plot. Director:W.S. Van Dyke |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Joan Crawford | ... |
Sally Parker
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| Clark Gable | ... |
Michael Anthony
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| Franchot Tone | ... |
Barnabus Pells
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| Reginald Owen | ... |
Baron
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Mona Barrie | ... |
Baroness
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Ivan Lebedeff | ... |
Igor
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Charles Judels | ... |
Lieutenant of Police
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| William Demarest | ... |
Editor
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| Donald Meek | ... |
Caretaker
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In the company of reporter Michael Anthony, American heiress Sally Parker flees her planned wedding to Prince Igor; Sally is unaware of Mike's detestable occupation. The two steal an airplane that is part of a spy plot and discover secret plans. They are pursued by the spies as well as by Mike's pal Barnabas, who wants a piece of the hot news story. Written by Diana Hamilton <hamilton@gl.umbc.edu>
Everything about LOVE ON THE RUN is derivative. It seems like a reincarnation of Gable's role in "It Happened One Night" with him as a newspaper reporter passing himself off as a friend to runaway heiress JOAN CRAWFORD.
It's a bumpy ride most of the way, but there is one exceptionally funny scene in the palace at Fontainbleu involving a batty caretaker (DONALD MEEK) who thinks Gable and Crawford are ghosts and wants to give Gable a tip on his minuet style. He joins forces with Crawford for a charming bit of physical comedy--and then sadly disappears from much of the plot.
CLARK GABLE and JOAN CRAWFORD both exhibit comic ability, with Gable especially amusing in that minuet sequence. FRANCHOT TONE is Gable's rival reporter, always falling for Gable's con man tricks. But their material is thin--and rehashed from dozens of other films the two made either apart or together. Crawford is a harder, edgier version of the runaway gal Claudette Colbert played in "It Happened One Night".
Crawford looks at the peak of her photogenic charm and her chemistry with both stars is excellent.
But overall, it's just another screwball comedy about a runaway heiress and her vexation over being deceived by newspaper reporters.