After refusing to join her family on a summer vacation, spoiled New York heiress Olivia de Havilland (as Margaret "Maggie" Richards) storms out of the house. She stops to get gas, but has no cash to pay singing attendant Dick Powell (as Bill Davis). He doesn't believe de Havilland is rich and makes her work off the $3.48 as a maid in the gasoline station's neighboring "Cozy Cabins". She is furious and vows to get even with Powell, who is an aspiring architect. After their debt is settled, Powell takes de Havilland out to dinner. She sets out to queer Powell's ambitious architectural plans, with help from oil tycoon father Charles Winninger (as Benjamin "Ben" Richards)...
The tables get turned, and turned again. Powell and his stunt double get bounced around frequently. Winninger wrestles with enterprising servant Melville Cooper (as Case). The men have a good scene, near the end, on a skyscraper. Powell sings the #1 hit "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and reprises Al Jolson's "Sonny Boy" in less dignified black-face. De Havilland seems almost entirely out of sorts. Although never as big as her co-stars, brunette maid Penny Singleton (as Hattie) owns the funniest scene. It's when she and de Havilland switch roles. After this film, Ms. Singleton bleached her hair blonde and appeared almost exclusively in the "Blondie" series.
***** Hard to Get (11/5/38) Ray Enright ~ Dick Powell, Olivia de Havilland, Charles Winninger, Penny Singleton
The tables get turned, and turned again. Powell and his stunt double get bounced around frequently. Winninger wrestles with enterprising servant Melville Cooper (as Case). The men have a good scene, near the end, on a skyscraper. Powell sings the #1 hit "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and reprises Al Jolson's "Sonny Boy" in less dignified black-face. De Havilland seems almost entirely out of sorts. Although never as big as her co-stars, brunette maid Penny Singleton (as Hattie) owns the funniest scene. It's when she and de Havilland switch roles. After this film, Ms. Singleton bleached her hair blonde and appeared almost exclusively in the "Blondie" series.
***** Hard to Get (11/5/38) Ray Enright ~ Dick Powell, Olivia de Havilland, Charles Winninger, Penny Singleton