Suzy (1936)

Suzy (Jean Harlow) is a chorus girl who convinces her pal Maisie (Inez Courtney) that she can easily seduce a wealthy man into a relationship and that love can naturally follow. On a foggy day in London, Suzy falls in front of a car driven by a chauffeur and with Terry Moore (not the actress, ha! Franchot's character) in the backseat. Suzy assumes the car belongs to Terry and that he is wealthy.

When he invites her to the derby, Suzy confesses to the maid that she will absolutely marry Terry. Terry pulls up in a decidedly cheaper automobile than the Rolls Royce, and Suzy realizes Terry is not the millionaire she assumed he was. Although not wealthy, Terry is hard to resist. He's an intelligent triple threat: inventor, engineer, and pilot. He's sweet to Suzy and completely falling in love with her. Suzy agrees to marry Terry, but their marriage is short-lived; showing off his work in the lab, Terry and Suzy accidentally cross the path of a German spy (Benita Hume).

Terry is shot, his shooter flees, and Suzy is accused of murder by the landlady. Devastated by the death of her new husband and threatened with a murder charge, Suzy escapes to Paris where her friend Maisie is now living and starts fresh.

As World War I begins, Suzy works as a singer in a bar, meeting wealthy pilot Andre (Cary Grant). Andre charms and marries Suzy, but he is not a faithful husband when he returns to the front. Suzy finds herself spending most of her time with Andre's father Baron Charville (Lewis Stone) and desperately missing Andre.

Next up is a necessary plot spoiler for this post, but I promise it is not a spoiler of the film's ending.

When Andre is wounded and hospitalized, Suzy visits him and there in the hospital room is...
Terry!

Terry was terribly wounded by the earlier shooting, but he survived unbeknownst to Suzy who fled the scene so abruptly. Suzy is shocked to see her husband standing in front of her. Terry, understandably, feels abandoned and betrayed by Suzy, but neither of them share their past with Andre. Terry has been inventing new fighter planes for Andre to pilot and is close to him. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman appears in Andre's life.

Suzy must decide whether she will stay with the wealthy man whom she loves but cannot trust or turn to her former husband Terry for whom she still feels deeply...unless an irrevocable event makes this decision for her.

This is my second favorite of Jean and Franchot's pairings (the first is The Girl from Missouri) and sadly it was their last chance to work together before Jean's untimely death the following year. The acting they do in Terry's apartment come across as effortless and casual; you completely believe that these two are becoming close friends and falling for one another. Jean is adorable in her borrowed pajamas from Terry's closet and her hair up and messy.

My only criticism is that Franchot drops his character's Irish accent occasionally throughout the film, but I find that pretty typical with most American movie stars taking on accents in 1930's films. Cary Grant is the playboy pilot (it's kind of a surprise that Franchot didn't end up with that role since he was so often typecast as the wealthy playboy) who is loved by both Suzy and Terry. Lewis Stone is fabulous as always as the father figure.

Suzy is available on DVD, but often out of print or only available via Warner Archive's Jean Harlow box set.

The Girl from Missouri (1934)

I'm happy to be covering The Girl from Missouri (1934) as part of In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood's 4th Annual Barrymore Trilogy Blogathon. You can enjoy all of the other wonderful entries that have been submitted here.

The Girl from Missouri is one of four films costarring Franchot Tone and Jean Harlow and one of two films costarring Franchot and Lionel Barrymore (the other is 1933's The Stranger's Return.) It is my favorite of the Jean-Franchot pairings, which include Bombshell, Suzy, and Reckless.

Eadie (Jean Harlow) wants to escape her brow-beaten mother and bully of a stepfather so best friend Kitty helps her catch a train. She's saved her money and wants to show the world she has "ideals." On the train Eadie reveals that she will get married for money and a good life, because she doesn't want to end up like her mother who married for love.

When they discover that the wealthy Frank Cousins (Lewis Stone) is throwing a party, Eadie and Kitty, both dancers, make sure they are included in the entertainment. When he realizes T.R. Paige (Lionel Barrymore) has arrived, Cousins' countenance completely changes. With shaky hands, he lights a cigar for T.R. and privately asks him for financial help. T.R. denies him because back in the day Mr. Cousins had refused to help T.R. Eadie wanders into Frank Cousins' office and he gives her ruby cufflinks and tells her he will miss her dance number because he has something to do. After she exits his office, Cousins commits suicide. T.R. comes in to see what the commotion is and ends up protecting Eadie from an investigation.

After Eadie suggests marriage, T.R. gives her money but assures her that he is no "ladies' man" and should be taken off her list of possible husbands. Eadie is not easily swayed and secretly follows (with Kitty in tow) T.R. to Palm Beach. Patsy Kelly is wonderfully humorous as Kitty, the wise-cracking best friend who falls for manual laborers and service operators while Sadie digs for gold. Kitty refers to herself as "just an old-fashioned homegirl like Mae West."

At T.R. Paige's Palm Beach office, we are introduced to his son T.R., Jr. or Tom (Franchot Tone), a fun-loving playboy immediately attracted to Eadie. Tom is surprised when the secretary tells him Eadie is after his dad and when he tells Eadie and Kitty that he, himself, is T.R. Paige, they don't believe him. Eadie believes Tom is just a clerk at the bank and tries to get rid of him. Unbeknownst to her, Tom is pedaling her and Kitty across town and eavesdrop as she reveals her goal to marry wealthy.

At the beach, Tom and Eadie kiss, but she says she won't fall in love with him. Tom points to the Paige yacht and tells her he will sneak her on, but Eadie and Kitty leave Tom behind on the dock.

On the yacht, Eadie is shocked to learn that Tom is T.R.'s son. In his portrayal of T.R., Lionel Barrymore makes it clear that he is amused by Eadie's antics, but that he will attack anyone who might take advantage of his son. He becomes less tolerant of Eadie as the film goes on and Lionel perfectly captures this transformation in his character. In one scene, T.R. reveals his need to be near and protect his son, saying:

Come out to Washington tonight with us, Tom. We're going to have a lot of fun...You know how often I've seen ya since you picked up that blonde chiseler?

When he sees the diamond bracelet Tom's purchased for Eadie, T.R. realizes how far Tom's fallen in love and decides it's time to teach his son a lesson.

T.R. pleads with his son:

Tom, she's not worthwhile. Drop her at her hotel and come on north with me.

Tom agrees to meet his dad at the station after he seduces Eadie. Both T.R. and Tom still think that because she's out for a millionaire that Eadie is also a promiscuous woman. Tom is shocked when Eadie rejects his advances and he learns she's on the level about wanting marriage before sex. She tells Tom she truly loves him and begs him not to make her "cheap" and so Tom asks his driver to take her home.

After his toast at a banquet in his honor, T.R. is interrupted by a visit from his son. We learn that Tom is deeply in love with Eadie and will marry her at any cost. Still certain his son is being played, T.R. says he won't let his son make a fool of himself by marrying Eadie. He tells him he's never denied him anything and Tom's all he's got in the world. Lionel and Franchot are wonderful in this scene. It shows the natural father-son bond the characters have and the sentimentality is not overwrought. It hits just the right note. (Lionel and Franchot performed similarly as rival neighbors who actually respect and like each other quite a lot in 1933's The Stranger's Return.)

T.R. reluctantly agrees to the marriage, but we soon see that the care he's exhibited toward his son has now turned into contempt for Eadie. T.R. immediately arranges a deal with a district attorney to bring scandal down on Eadie and sever the relationship before she becomes his daughter-in-law.

I won't spoil the ending in case you haven't seen it, but Eadie puts up more of a struggle than T.R. expects. As the golddigger who already possesses a heart of gold, Jean Harlow turns in an excellent performance.

The dialogue, camerawork, and characters capture the best qualities of the three main actors. This is one of my favorite of Lionel Barrymore's roles, because it superbly shows off his ability to be debonair and endearing in one scene and calculating and ruthless the next.

If you don't have the Jean Harlow-Franchot Tone films on DVD yet, I suggest buying the Region 1 Jean Harlow box set by Warner Archive. The box set includes the four Franchot films (Bombshell, The Girl from Missouri, Suzy, and Reckless) as well as Jean's films Riffraff, Personal Property, and Saratoga. Warner Archive has not released Suzy as an individual DVD, it's only available in the set, so it's an economical and enjoyable option to buy the set. This is not a sponsored ad or anything like that, just good sense if you're planning to add all four Jean-Franchot titles to your collection eventually.

I love the Barrymores and am so pleased that In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood has hosted another blogathon celebrating them. Again, to read all the wonderful entries, please click here.

Franchot's Leading Ladies

Throughout his career, Franchot starred with some of the most talented and beautiful actresses in Hollywood (and even married a few!). Today, I thought it would be fun to highlight and share some stats on the ladies who shared the screen with Franchot.

Joan costarred with Franchot in 7 films

Joan Crawford (b. 1905 d. 1977)
Between 1933 and 1937, Joan Crawford and Franchot made 7 films together. Franchot and Joan were married from 1935 to 1939. Although their divorce was somewhat bitter, the two rekindled a close friendship that would last until Franchot's death in 1968.
Notable Films: Our Dancing Daughters,  Dancing Lady, Grand Hotel, The Women, Humoresque, Mildred Pierce, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?
Films with Franchot: Today We Live, Dancing Lady, Sadie McKee, No More Ladies, The Gorgeous Hussy, Love on the Run, The Bride Wore Red
My personal favorite FT-JC film: The Bride Wore Red

Jean costarred with Franchot in 4 films

Jean Harlow (b. 1911 d. 1937)
Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone costarred together in 4 films between 1933 and 1936. The platinum blonde and amazing comedienne tragically died of uremic poisoning in 1937.
Notable Films: Hell's Angels, Platinum Blonde, Bombshell, Red Dust, Dinner at Eight, The Public Enemy, Libeled Lady
Films with Franchot: Bombshell, The Girl from Missouri, Reckless, Suzy
My personal favorite FT-JH film: The Girl from Missouri

Deanna and Franchot costarred in 3 films.

Deanna Durbin (b. 1921 d. 2013)
Noted for her skills as a lyric soprano who could deliver both hit ballads and complicated arias, Deanna Durbin was paired with Franchot in three romantic comedies in the 1940s. Deanna retired from the screen while still in her late 20s in 1949.
Notable Films: One Hundred Men and a Girl, Three Smart Girls, Mad About Music, It's a Date, It Started with Eve
Films with Franchot: Nice Girl?, His Butler's Sister, Because of Him
My personal favorite FT-DD film: His Butler's Sister

Gladys played Franchot's love interest in 3 films.

Gladys George (b. 1904 d. 1954)
An Oscar-nominated actress yet often overlooked today, Gladys George costarred with Franchot in 3 films between 1934 and 1938. Before pursuing a career in Hollywood, Gladys performed across the country with her parents' stage act.
Notable Films:Valiant is the Word for Carrie, Madame X, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Maltese Falcon, Marie Antoinette
Films with Franchot: They Gave Him a Gun, Love is a Headache, Straight is the Way
My personal favorite FT-GG film: They Gave Him a Gun

Loretta and Franchot made two films together.

Loretta Young (b. 1913 d. 2000)
20-year-old Loretta Young was already a film veteran when she costarred with Franchot in the 1933 film Midnight Mary. The two would costar again in 1936, were spotted out on the town in the late 1930s, and starred in several radio productions in the 1940s.
Notable Films: Laugh Clown Laugh, Midnight Mary, Taxi!, The Call of the Wild, The Farmer's Daughter, The Bishop's Wife
Films with Franchot: Midnight Mary, The Unguarded Hour
My personal favorite FT-LY film: Midnight Mary

Karen Morley was Franchot's leading lady twice in the 1930s.

Karen Morley (b. 1909 d. 2003)
Another classic film actress whose contributions are often neglected, Karen Morley acted with Franchot in two films in the early 30s and was married to director Charles Vidor. In the the late 1940s, she refused to answer questions for the House Un-American Activities Committee and was blacklisted.
Notable Films:Mata Hari, Scarface, Dinner at Eight, The Littlest Rebel, Arsene Lupin, Pride and Prejudice
Films with Franchot: Gabriel Over the White House, Straight is the Way
My personal favorite FT-KM film: Straight is the Way

Maureen O'Sullivan was a 2-time costar of Franchot's.

Maureen O'Sullivan (b. 1911 d. 1998)
Awarded the George Eastman Award for her film contributions, Maureen O'Sullivan was Jane to Johnny Weismuller's Tarzan, but made time to play Franchot's leading lady in 1933 and 1937. With writer-director John Farrow, Maureen had seven children, including actress Mia Farrow.
Notable Films: Tarzan the Ape Man, The Thin Man, Anna Karenina, A Day at the Races, Maisie Was a Lady, Pride and Prejudice
Films with Franchot: Stage Mother, Between Two Women
My personal favorite FT-MO film: Between Two Women

Joan Bennett played Franchot's other half in 2 early 1940s films.

Joan Bennett (b. 1910 d. 1990)
Best remembered as a mid-to-late 1940s femme fatale, Joan Bennett performed on stage before seeking work in films. Sister of Constance Bennett, Joan appeared as a blonde in her 1930s films, before switching to the dark hair and sultry look that became her trademark in film noirs.
Notable Films: Bulldog Drummond, Little Women, The House Across the Bay, The Man I Married, Man Hunt, The Woman in the Window, Father of the Bride
Films with Franchot: The Wife Takes a Flyer, She Knew All the Answers
My personal favorite FT-JB film: Unfortunately, I've not seen either of their films! I'll update this after I have watched them.

Jean Wallace married and costarred with Franchot in the 1940s.

Jean Wallace (b. 1923 d. 1990)
Married to him for the majority of the 1940s, Jean Wallace starred in two films with Franchot, but found greater success in her films with third husband Cornel Wilde. Before she entered films, Jean worked as an Earl Carroll showgirl. Jean and Franchot had two sons during their union.
Notable Films: Jigsaw, The Man on the Eiffel Tower, The Good Humor Man, The Big Combo, Lancelot and Guinevere
Films with Franchot: Jigsaw, The Man on the Eiffel Tower
My personal favorite FT-JW film: Jigsaw

Actresses who were one-film costars of Franchot include:
Miriam Hopkins | Constance Bennett | Madeleine Carroll
Margaret Lindsay | Bette Davis | Madge Evans |Grace Moore
Katharine Hepburn | Virginia Bruce | Myrna Loy |Margaret Sullavan
Franciska Gaal | Janet Gaynor | Ann Sothern | Carol Bruce
Peggy Moran | Anne Baxter | Marsha Hunt | Mary Martin
Ella Raines | Veronica Lake | Merle Oberon | Susanna Foster
Ann Richards | Shirley Temple | Lucille Ball | Janet Blair
Betsy Drake | Laraine Day | Jane Wyman | Dolores Dorn
Una Merkel (Una costarred in two films, but only one as a leading lady.)

Bombshell (1933)

One of Franchot's earliest films is Bombshell (1933) and he looks so youthful in it! The film stars Jean Harlow as Lola Burns, a popular movie star with an infamous reputation. She is seeking to clean up her image, but none of her plans seem to work. Lola is also trying to distance herself from Space Hanlon (Lee Tracy), her meddling publicist who presents one scheme after another.

Franchot doesn't make an appearance until the movie is more than halfway over. He is Gifford Middleton, a wealthy suitor of Lola's after he seems to appear out of nowhere to rescue her from an assailant. Lola falls for Gifford immediately and deeply. As Gifford, Franchot lays it on thick! He uses an accent and utters over-the-top declarations of love. There is, however, a reason for his deliberately dramatic character, and it is revealed in hilarious fashion!

 

When Lola and Gifford's very different families meet for the first time, it is not a success. Frank Morgan is wonderful as Lola's uncouth father.

Bombshell features Franchot Tone at his comedic finest! It is a brief role, but full of witty lines, laugh-out-loud scenes, and funny faces. Franchot was a very busy actor in Hollywood in 1933. In addition to Bombshell, he also filmed Today We Live, Gabriel Over the White House, Midnight Mary, The Stranger's Return, Stage Mother, and Dancing Lady.

 

Bombshell is available on DVD on Amazon.