It's Love I'm After (1937)

Director:

Archie Mayo

Writers:

Maurice Hanline (story) and
Casey Robinson (writer)

Release Date:

20 November 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Listen, You...it's LOVE I'm after! - ...and it's love you're going to get -- in the neck!

Plot:

Basil Underwood and Joyce Arden have postponed their marriage eleven times. Henry Grant's fiancée Marcia is infatuated with Basil...

Plot Keywords:

Affair | Beautiful Woman

Cast

Leslie Howard	...	Basil Underwood
Bette Davis	...	Joyce Arden
Olivia de Havilland	...	Marcia West
Eric Blore	...	Digges, Basil's Valet
Patric Knowles	...	Henry Grant, Jr.
George Barbier	...	William West
Spring Byington	...	Aunt Ella Paisley
Bonita Granville	...	Gracie Kane
Georgia Caine	...	Mrs. Kane (as Georgia Craine)
Veda Ann Borg	...	Elsie, a Maid
E.E. Clive	...	First Butler
Valerie Bergere	...	Madeleine, Joyce's Maid
Sarah Edwards	...	Mrs. Hinkle
Thomas Pogue	...	Mr. Hinkle
Grace Field	...	Mrs. Babson (as Grace Fields)

Also Known As:

Gentlemen After Midnight (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Vitaphone

Certification:

Finland:S | USA:Approved (certificate #3297)

Company:

First National Pictures

Quotes:

Basil Underwood: Have you seen a mad woman 'round here?
Butler: Which one sir?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "This Is Your Life: Bette Davis" (1971)

Screwball comedy is a real gem!

While Bette Davis and Leslie Howard are amusing as two battling lovers who also happen to be ham actors, the surprise of this little comedy is Olivia de Havilland as the moonstruck girl with a crush on matinée idol Basil Underwood (Howard). De Havilland never had a better ingenue role and she makes the most of it. Amusing to note that three years later she and Howard would be paired as Melanie and Ashley in 'Gone with the Wind'. Strange that previous comments fail to even mention her presence in this film! Even Bette Davis admitted that de Havilland had the better role with more footage--and claimed to dislike the film. However, all three leads are excellent--with Eric Blore stealing scenes as the butler frequently told by Leslie Howard to "Pack my bags!" Bonita Granville is rather irritating as de Havilland's brat sister and Spring Byington is her usual chipper self. Patric Knowles, as de Havilland's boyfriend and ultimate love partner, is wonderful in his amusing role as the man who sets the whole plot into action. Catch this one on Turner Classic Movies if you can. It's well worth it. Leslie Howard shows a real flair and delight in playing his ham actor--one of his finest comedy roles. A highlight is a confrontation between him and de Havilland when she declares: "I was in love with Clark Gable last year. If I can get over him, I can certainly get over you!" Screwball comedies don't get any better than this!