Monday, February 25, 2008

Loy Versus Harlowe

I'm not sure that Wife Versus Secretary is a comedy. It features:
  • Clark Gable as a high-powered fashion magazine mogul
  • Myrna Loy as his loving wife
  • Jean Harlow as "Whitey", his hyper-competent secretary
Jimmy Stewart has a minor role as Harlow's boyfriend - the same role he had in Zeigfield Girl.

The setup is plain - Will Loy's jealousy over Harlow drive Gable into her arms? There aren't any surprises here, but lots of delights. Gable is a dynamo, loves his job, loves his wife, loves his life. Loy is suave but cute, loves and trusts her husband, but still can't get over Harlow.

Harlow is a dream - beautiful, efficient, and seems to love the work as much as Gable. She might even love him, but would never let him know. In her big scene (SPOILER), she tells Loy that she doesn't want to steal her husband, but if she lets him go, she will scoop him up.

The dialog sparkles, which makes this look like a comedy. It's really a melodrama and it could be a weepy. But the stars make it a delight.

Caution: Old-fashioned gender roles and attitudes towards capital.

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