"Man of the Moment" stars one of my favorite actors, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Laura LaPlante. I can just hear my mother now if I told her I saw a film with Laura LaPlante. "LAURA LAPLANTE?" indicating that it's an ancient name. I guess it is, since she was a silent film star and pretty much quit films in 1935.
LaPlante plays Mary, a secretary who is in love with her boss. After another employee basically tells her she has nothing to look forward to in life except an expanding waistline and an old face, she finds out that her boss is having an affair with another coworker.
Mary leaves the office and throws herself in the river. To her dismay, she's rescued by Tony (Fairbanks) who insists upon bringing her back to his place to dry off. She has nothing to fear from him, he says. He's getting married tomorrow. His bride-to-be is Vera, played by Margaret Lockwood.
Mary doesn't want to stay but her attempt to sneak out fails, and then there's a big engagement party. She disguises herself as a waiter by slicking down her hair but she falls asleep on the couch. The next morning, Vera sees her in the house and breaks off her engagement.
Tony is now as miserable as Mary. He's completely broke. He decides to go to Monte Carlo to win some money, and he wants her to come along. He makes a deal with her. If he doesn't win, he'll jump into the river with her. She agrees.
Cute comedy with good acting by all involved, but it's nothing special. LaPlante's role was definitely a natural for Claudette Colbert or Marion Davies. LaPlante, however, acquitted herself well. Fairbanks, as the dashing and sophisticated Tony, is wonderful. He was an underrated actor, in my opinion, and today, when many performances no longer hold up, his do.
LaPlante made the transition to talkies but by 1935, she was sick of movie-making. She had a 51-year marriage to producer Irving Asher. It turned out to be a nice life. She died at 92 from Alzheimer's disease.
This is a good showcase for her talent. Recommended for the performances.