Kay Wants Revenge

Georgiana Summers (Kay Francis) overhears Bob McNear (George Brent) and Betty Summers (Genevieve Tobin) planning a rendezvous.  It’s not long before Georgiana realizes that Betty is actually the current wife of Georgiana's ex-husband, Ralph Summers (Ralph Forbes). Georgiana devises a plan to get her revenge by trapping Betty in Georgiana’s country home where she is expecting a visit from Ralph. But plans go awry when jewel thieves Lawrence (John Eldridge) and Connie (Claire Dodd) also get trapped with them. Our film this time is The Goose and the Gander (1935).

When we reviewed The Cocoanuts, we discussed Ms. Francis' excellent comic timing. This film substantiates that she is a brilliant comedienne.  She's funny, and handles the quick dialogue and action with panache. This film even has a set of scenes in which jewelry is being carried from room to room (much like the scene with the Marx Brothers). And as before, Ms. Francis is deeply involved and a riot. Much of the humor in the film is devoted to Georgiana observing the shenanigans that are going on around her and reacting to them. It is truly a shame Ms. Francis didn't get to do more comedy.

This is a movie that very much focuses on the ladies - the men are mere window dressing to propel the action. George Brent has a few scenes with Ms. Francis, but he is there to move the story; he's not really a strong character. Quite frankly, he doesn't need to be. The only complaint we had about the movie was the ending - which came from nowhere - but we didn't care. The resolution worked in the sense that it was funny, it gave the film a bit of a twist, and put our various characters where they needed to be.  In The Women of Warner Brothers: The Lives and Careers of 15 Leading Ladies by Daniel Bubbeo, George Brent is heavily criticized as being a non-entity.  Well, we beg to differ. He's a good actor (see him in something like The Great Lie, The Spiral Staircase, or The Purchase Price). Don't use this film as an example of his talents

While the advertising, as seen here, emphasizes the romantic aspects of the plot, it doesn't do justice to the mystery of the stolen jewels and how the thieves will get their comeuppance. The film is funny just dealing with the romances, but add in the jewels, and the arrival of Spencer Charters as Inspector Winkelsteinberger, and film soars. His interactions with Helen Lowell as Georgiana's Aunt Julia are hysterical. The police do get a bit dim, but under the circumstances, it's not hard to imagine that even Columbo would get confused.

We very much enjoyed Claire Dodd as the current Mrs. Summers. That she would want to venture off with another man is not surprising, given what a dolt her husband Ralph is (it's more surprising that Georgiana would want him back, even for revenge). Released in 1935, this film is firmly under the control of The Code. In spite of this, there's a lot innuendo, primarily between Ms. Dodd and Mr. Brent. The plot really goes into action when they are trapped in Georgiana's country home, posing as man and wife. We KNOW they are going off together for an evening of lust, but once in the house, the pair have to figure out a way to get Bob out the locked room (Georgiana's contribution to the confusion). Ms. Dodd protesting her purity is especially funny.

Just because it is a comedy, doesn't mean that Ms. Francis doesn't get some lovely costumes. Orry-Kelly does the dresses, with his usual flair; all of the actresses benefit from his expertise. The screenplay by Charles Kenyon (who had a long history with screenwriting, going back to the silent era) is crisp and entertaining. It's his story, as well as his screenplay; in a brief 65 minutes, this film includes a lot of plot. It's a wild ride - and an enjoyable one. If you blink at the wrong time, you might miss something. (TCM article)

We so often say that the New York Times review didn't like films but this time we get to quote a favorable review: "The narrative is so deviously complex that if you stop to light a cigarette or talk to your neighbor it requires five minutes to reorient yourself in its labyrinthine ways." We agree, and suggest this is a film that deserves multiple viewings.  We'll leave you with the trailer.