All images IMDB.com
Known in the US as 'The Batchelor and the Bobby-Soxer', it was screened in the UK as 'Bachelor Knight'. The plot is a little silly, as you could expect from this genre - Myrna Loy is a judge, Margaret Turner (that's not the silly bit) who comes across Cary Grant's character Richard Nugent in her courtroom as he appears to have been at the centre of a disturbance in a nightclub. An artist, 'Dick' later gives a talk at the school that Margaret's 17 year old sister, Susan attends, and it's there that Susan develops a schoolgirl crush on him. Convinced by her psychiatrist brother that the quickest way for Susan to get over the crush is to naturally get tired of Dick, Margaret asks Dick to take Susan out for picnics and basketball games (all very wholesome). Obviously the real romance is between Margaret and Dick, but there are a few capers and some witty dialogue to get through before that emerges.
Also, there are gowns! Myrna Loy has some great outfits, including a wonderful suit that her sister Susan 'borrows'.
Watching this film certainly gave me a renewed appreciation of Myrna Loy - she is really fantastic, and I'd love to see more films with her in. I think to date I've only seen her in a couple of other films, and can't even remember what those were!
Pop over to TCM to watch a trailer here - unfortunately it's not on BBC iplayer anymore, but it's out on DVD so you could probably pick up a copy on Amazon.
Have you seen this film? Have you watched many others starring Myrna Loy?
Thanks for reviewing this movie and for putting up all the lovely screen shots. I've had this movie on my netflix's list for ages but because of this review I moved it way up to the top of the list. I love seeing movies with Shirley Temple as a teenager!
ReplyDeleteI adore old films but I have never seen this one! It really looks fantastic and I would love to see it! The clothing always makes me smile as it is so breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteRebecca
www.winnipegstyle.ca
That film's been on my "to-watch" list for ages! I keep hoping to find a copy of the dvd on sale so I won't have to pay full price :D
ReplyDeleteI love Myrna Loy! The Thin Man movies are silly but smart, and I love that her character is portrayed as equally (or more) smart and capable as her detective husband. (These are the Nick and Nora movies.) I'd recommend checking them out, if you never have.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the most charming, somewhat campy movies of the 40s in my opinion. It was a big hit here in North America at the time and is still one of the few movies from that decade your average (aka, non-vintage/classic Hollywood loving) person would be apt to have at least heard the title of (Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Rebecca, and It's a Wonderful Life are some others that spring to mind in that category).
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I second Amanda's recommendation of the Thin Man films. They're some of my favourites - Nick and Nora are divine!
ReplyDeleteGah, comment eaten!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I wanted to second Amanda's recommendation of the Thin Man films, they're brilliant.
I saw this too, in honour of Shirley Temple. It's good fun and I've seen it a few times now.
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