A throwback to the wacky screwball comedies of the 1930's, this shows the veteran screwball legend, Claudette Colbert ("It Happened One Night", "Midnight") in an offbeat role as a finance executive who is determined to find a husband among her firm's clients. Determined to keep her from leaving and to teach her a lesson, stern boss George Brent sets her up with pal Robert Young whom Brent believes will exhaust her. But Colbert is another one of those girls who's one of the boys, and she surprises him with her inexhaustable energy. Brent finds he's jealous of Young and Colbert and arranges for Young to scram. But don't underestimate Colbert who catches on and turns the tables on both.
Better in minor details rather than it's complete execution, this might seem to be an attempt to modernize the screwball comedy by having the leading female character be a career woman who knows how to get the job done and have a good time. Colbert is practically perfect at her job, and when she reveals her goals to Brent, it becomes a major letdown. She still is very funny, especially when out on the town with Young who takes her to some of New York City's roughest nightspots where Colbert causes enough unintentional mayhem to get them arrested. Whether showing him how she can defend herself against unwanted advances or flinging fish, Colbert is a sheer delight. Brent and Young, actors from the golden age of screwball comedy, play roles that were interchangeable for them, and 14 years after they both starred with Colbert in other screwball comedies, still seem comfortable in that genre.
Gus Schilling as a rowdy sailor whom Colbert observes having his wallet stolen, Max Baer Sr. as a wrestling champion whom Colbert makes the mistake of throwing lily's to, and Hans Conreid as a befuddled jewelry clerk offer amusing characterizations. Minor characterizations of Brent and Colbert's various clients and various co-workers have funny brief appearances. This rarely seen screwball comedy could have been a classic had Colbert's character not have been husband hunting, but has plenty of amusing moments to provide plenty of laughs. Colbert may not be the career woman of the year thanks to her goals, but I'd go fish flinging with her any day!
Better in minor details rather than it's complete execution, this might seem to be an attempt to modernize the screwball comedy by having the leading female character be a career woman who knows how to get the job done and have a good time. Colbert is practically perfect at her job, and when she reveals her goals to Brent, it becomes a major letdown. She still is very funny, especially when out on the town with Young who takes her to some of New York City's roughest nightspots where Colbert causes enough unintentional mayhem to get them arrested. Whether showing him how she can defend herself against unwanted advances or flinging fish, Colbert is a sheer delight. Brent and Young, actors from the golden age of screwball comedy, play roles that were interchangeable for them, and 14 years after they both starred with Colbert in other screwball comedies, still seem comfortable in that genre.
Gus Schilling as a rowdy sailor whom Colbert observes having his wallet stolen, Max Baer Sr. as a wrestling champion whom Colbert makes the mistake of throwing lily's to, and Hans Conreid as a befuddled jewelry clerk offer amusing characterizations. Minor characterizations of Brent and Colbert's various clients and various co-workers have funny brief appearances. This rarely seen screwball comedy could have been a classic had Colbert's character not have been husband hunting, but has plenty of amusing moments to provide plenty of laughs. Colbert may not be the career woman of the year thanks to her goals, but I'd go fish flinging with her any day!