 |
BEAUTY AND THE BOSS (1932)
A WB / First National Pictures Production
Directed by: Roy Del Ruth
With:
Marian Marsh, David Manners, Warren William, Charles Butterworth
and Mary Doran
Based on the play "The Church Mouse" by Ladislas Fodor
and Paul Frank, Beauty and the Boss stars Marian Marsh and Warren
William. Although billed second in the credits, DM's part is
brief and undeveloped.
Baron Josef Von Ullrich (Warren William) is a high-powered Viennese
banker who discharges his comely secretary Olive (Ollie) Frey,
(Mary Doran) when he finds himself distracted by her from his
work. Susie Sachs (Marian Marsh) tricks her way into his office
and procures the just vacated position, impressing Von Ullrich
with her secretarial abilities. Plain, poor, and unsophisticated,
Susie is just what Von Ullrich is looking for. Performing her
job with expert precision, Susie accompanies Von Ullrich, his
brother Paul, (DM) and Count Von Tolheim (Frederick Kerr) to
Paris where a big business deal is consummated. Taking a tip
from Ollie, who is staying at the same hotel, Susie blossoms
into a charming young woman and is noticed as such by the Baron
who falls for her. After discharging her as he did with Ollie,
he proposes via dictation.
Fast paced but of little substance, Beauty
and the Boss is unexceptional. The dialogue, although well handled
by Marsh, is unwieldy and the plot is predictable. The stars
do their best and it is fun to see Frederick Kerr of Frankenstein
fame in a supporting role. Charles Butterworth supplies the comic
relief while DM is wasted in his tiny role although he does proclaim
his love for Susie. Variety remarked, "Unconvincing in its
basic import, not that those things haven't happened
its of such elementary Cinderella stuff that even the Woolworth
sirens will chew their cud in dubious reflection." Also,
"Warren William was alright up to a certain point as the
big business man. Warners has been trying to give William a build
up as a new type of male lead, but he has yet to find his opportunity.
Same went for David Manners, for a time, but here the juve is
sloughed off in a bit."
|