Breakfast for Two (1937)

Director:

Alfred Santell

Writers:

Charles Kaufman (screenplay) &
Paul Yawitz (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 October 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Texan debutante Valentine Ransome tries to reform a bankrupt playboy.

Plot Keywords:

Playboy | Texan | Actress | Uncle | Window Washer

Cast

Barbara Stanwyck	...	Valentine Ransome
Herbert Marshall	...	Jonathan Blair
Glenda Farrell	...	Carol Wallace
Eric Blore	...	Butch - Blair's Valet
Donald Meek	...	Justice of the Peace
Etienne Girardot	...	Mr. Meggs
Frank M. Thomas	...	Sam Ransome
Pierre Watkin	...	Gordon Faraday

Runtime:

67 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Australia:G | USA:Approved (PCA #3567)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

Monte Vandergrift, William Gould and Landers Stevens are listed as cast members by a modern source, but they did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie.

Soundtrack:

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)

Fun For All

A New York playboy & a Texas rich girl enjoy BREAKFAST FOR TWO after a wild night on the town.

Here is a screwball comedy which derives its humor more from the fine acting of its cast than from zany situations. When these situations do appear late in the film the characters are well established in the viewer's mind, adding extra zest to some very funny sequences.

Barbara Stanwyck stars as the highly determined young woman who uses her considerable resources to save the man she loves from his improvident lifestyle. This was an actress equally adept at the grittiest drama or the lightest comedy. Her timing was impeccable and her delivery uniquely all her own. As the object of her affections, Herbert Marshall makes excellent use of his suave demeanor and marvelous speaking voice to add a soupçon of sophistication to his character's wastrel ways.

An excellent supporting cast gets fully involved in the zany proceedings. Brassy Glenda Farrell plays the dumb blonde actress who adores Marshall; good-hearted & jolly, the plot really does treat her unkindly. Eric Blore is wonderful as Marshall's faithful, scheming valet. Tiny chittering Etienne Girardot plays Marshall's elderly office manager. Donald Meek, as a flustered little Justice of the Peace, gets to preside over three of the funniest wedding ceremonies ever committed to film.

RKO has given the film very fine production values, as epitomized by the mansion sets shown in the opening sequence. And what about those crazy window washers?!