Friday, May 2, 2014

There’s Always a Woman: Blondell Ambition

The First Romantic Comedy Blogathon is hosted by Backlots and Carole & Co. from May 1st through May 4th, 2014.  Thanks for letting us play in your
garden!

I’ve always enjoyed screwball comedies that blend romance and comedy, and the zanier, the better, especially when there’s mystery in the mix!  Case in point:  Columbia Pictures’comedy-mystery There’s Always A Woman (1938).  All the filmmakers had to say to make me love this movie were three names
  1. Joan Blondell (Nightmare Alley; Three on a Match 
  2. Two-time Oscar-winner Melvyn Douglas (Hud; Being There; Ninotchka).
    (Fun Fact: Douglas was also the grandfather of actress Illeana Douglas (Dummy; Martin Scorsese’s remake of Cape Fear.  
  3. Mary Astor, Best Supporting Actress Oscar-winner for The Great Lie; The Palm Beach Story).
Based on a story from American Magazine and directed by Alexander Hall (My Sister Eileen; The Great Lover) and produced by William Perlberg (Miracle on 34th Street; The Song of Bernadette), There’s Always a Woman  is kind of like the wiseacre kid brother who’s really swell beneath it all. The cast includes Frances Drake of Mad Love; Thurston Hall (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Lady on a Train). 

Sally helps Bill to root, root, root for the home team!
Wow! Two Reardons for the price of one! 
What a scoop! Eat your heart out, Miss Marple!
Lola Fraser wears widows' weeds well!
Big owie!  That's what you get for hogging Sally's credit, Bill, you bad boy!
Bill and Sally get soused soused while looking
for clues at the Skyline Club!
Sally: "Why didn't you pick me up?" 
Bill:  "I did it before, and look what happened."



What does detective Bill Reardon have that
William Powell doesn't have, besides Myrna Loy?
Clients, that's what!
"I see it all now!  You and the upstairs maid.  Do the old boy in, you said.
Elderberry wine and old lace, you said!  Then, the clean getaway,
but you weren't smart enough, John, alias Johnny, alias Jack, alias Jackie!"
New York City private detective Bill Reardon (Douglas) went into business for himself, but  perhaps more successful detectives like The Thin Man's Nick Charles spoiled the broth in the Big Apple for Bill’s agency, no doubt snapping up the pricey clients that were just out of Bill’s reach.  Luckily, Bill’s former boss, the D.A. himself (Hall) is glad to have Bill back.  But Sally (Blondell), Bill’s wife and assistant, thinks she could cook up a clientele, being as loving as she is sassy and determined; what a gal!  Before Sally can start closing up shop for good, in comes Lola Fraser (Astor), a rich society matron who wants to find out if Lola’s husband is stepping out with lovely young Anne Calhoun (Frances Drake from Mad Love; It’s A Wonderful World).  Sally puts The Reardon Detective Agency under new management!  Then Lola’s hubby get bumped off, and suspects galore pop up, like shifty nightclub owner/gambler Nick Shane (Jerome Cowan from The Maltese Falcon; Miracle on 34th Street; quite a few familiar faces here!).





Joan Blondell's third degree didn't go as well
as the police would have hoped...


TCM’s  Lorraine LoBianco reports There’s Always a Woman set was a family affair, with ex-sister-in-law Connie, who’d just divorced Blondell’s brother, and then her sister Gloria  Blondell a contract!  No wonder Joan was happy to be at Columbia, except for just one little thing:  for some reason, Warner Bros. (where she’d worked at the time) didn’t want Blondell to wear her hair in her signature curly ringlets hair.  Luckily, director Alexander Hall gallantly made sure he had brunettes and redheads among the actors so that Blondell would attract all eyes.

Fun Facts:

There’s Always A Woman also had a 1939 sequel with Douglas, There’s That Woman Again.  This time, Virginia Bruce played Sally Reardon..

Also, don’t  blink or you’ll miss:
A young Rita Hayworth in a brief role as a secretary!
Whitey of the Dead End Kids, a.k.a. The Bowery Boys!     


Sally knows a detective must keep track of their partners
I bet they need more toilet paper, too!


*KLONG!* Big owie! That'll teach Bill to hog all of Sally's credit!

Those kooky lovebirds solve the case, though they'll need hairbrushes afterward!



24 comments:

  1. Omigosh! I blinked and missed Rita Hayworth.

    One of my sisters and I were talking about Melvyn Douglas yesterday, and how much we adore him. No wonder Joanie goes all out for her hubby. Romance and whodunnits really go together in classic Hollywood. Crazy about this contribution to the blogathon.

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    1. Paddy, we of Team Bartilucci applaud you and your sister for your excellent taste in Melvyn Douglas and witty, urbane actors of that ilk! :-) And he's a two-time Oscar-winner, to boot! Many thanks for your rave review of THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN; once again, you're a gal after our own hearts! :-D

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  2. Love me some Joan always and forever.If there was ever an underrated star, it is Miss Blondell. Cheers for turning the spotlight on her and the team in a film where they do what they do best.

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    1. Marsha, all of us here at Team Bartilucci HQ are delighted that you love Joan Blondell as much as we do! Ironically, I first discovered her when I was a little tyke watching the Elvis Presley movie STAY AWAY, JOE when my then-babysitter watched it with me on TV! I've been watching Joan backwards since then, and loving her movies ever since! Thanks for your kind kudos about THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMEN, and warmest wishes to you and yours! :-D

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  3. Dor, this looks like TOO MUCH FUN. I adore Joan Blondell and Melvyn Douglas. What a perfect pair!

    I love the gift of Blondell you posted, where she's filing her nails under interrogation. She had such a genius for comedy, that scene is hilarious even if you haven't seen the film.

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    1. Ruth, as always, you have great taste in movies, including comedy-mysteries! You're so right, the gift of Blondell is always a delightfull gift indeed (as well as a swell GIF! :-) to everyone who loves to laugh along with Joan and Melvyn! (And it's always nice to see our beloved Mary Astor too, even in a supporting role! :-) Joan's blithe interrogation scene is pure comedy genius, bless her show-stealing heart! Thanks a million for your enthusiastic kudos for joining the Romantic Comedy Blogathon, my friend! :-D

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  4. What wonderful photos and clips you've included. I feel like I've already gotten a great glimpse of how much fun this film is. Thank you. Leah

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    1. Leah, thanks so much for your positive feedback about THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN! We're glad you got a kick out of our clips and GIFs (we have my swell husband Vinnie to thank for his GIFs and clips, bless him)! Hope you'll get a chance to watch the whole movie soon! :-D

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  5. This is a really fun movie, I agree. Blondell and Douglas, both just fantastic comic talents, make for a super couple-- great pick!! :) and love those gifs! best to you

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    1. Kristina, I'm tickled that you enjoyed THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN, one of my favorite comedy-mysteries; you have great taste, my friend, as always! With the sure-fire team of Blondell and Douglas, not to mention the awesome Mary Astor and the great supporting cast, it's sheer fun all the way; Blondell's "interrogation" is worth the price of admission (so to speak)! I'm delighted that you got a kick out of our GIFs, too; thanks a million, and warmest wishes to you and yours, as always! :-D

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  6. Great review! Love the GIFs of this zany film! You've inspired me to watch this fun movie again!

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    1. Blonde At The Film, I'm happy to hear you enjoyed THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN as much as we do here at Team Bartilucci! We're suckers for zaniness, especially when bubbly, beautiful and Joan and suave Melvyn get together for love and comical mayhem, especially with our fave Mary Astor among the swell supporting cast! Thanks for your enthusiastic kudos, and feel free to drop by over at TALES OF THE EASILY DISTRACTED anytime! :-D

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  7. Wow, Dorian, another little known comic murder mystery with a husband and wife sleuth team that I've never heard of - thanks so much for bringing it to my attention! A while back I reviewed FAST COMPANY with Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice as bookseller sleuths Joel and Garda Sloane. I loved Douglas in that and am tickled that he appeared in this one and its sequel. I'm not a big Blondell fan yet but she's growing on me. This looks like a ton o' fun - I'll be seeking it out ASAP.

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    1. Jeff, thanks and you're welcome for your kind kudos for THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN! Melvyn Douglas is always a delightfully suave comedian, and I'm confident that the witty and effervescent Joan Blondell will win you over! Heck, I'm almost tempted to get all wacky and suggest some husband-and-wife detectives after I relax after all these other Blogathon, now that you have me thinking about those wonderful Sloans (I have their films from Warner Archive)! Thanks for dropping by for the Romantic Comedy Blogathon, Jeff, and all of us here hope you and your family are happy and well!

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  8. Another one going to watchlist in 3, 2, 1...
    Great review, Dorian. Joan Blondell is such a lovely actress and it's so good she was happy in Columbia! I also love Melvyn and, of course, Mary Astor. Watched her in Dodsworth and... wow.
    Don't forget to read my contribution to the blogathon! :)
    Kisses!
    Le
    http://www.criticaretro.blogspot.com.br/2014/05/adoravel-vagabundo-meet-john-doe-1941.html

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    1. Ha! You're right, Le, it seems like the Blogathons are always blasting off for more, but it's fun, so it's A-OK! :-) I'm delighted that you enjoy Joan Blondell's talent, and I'm glad that you enjoyed my THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN blog post! The whole cast is great fun to watch, and this great cast blends comedy, drama, and mystery so deftly, and Joan, Melvyn, and Mary can do no wrong! Thanks for your charming comments, my friend; you'll be seeing my comments to you at Critico Retro very soon. Best wishes to you and yours! :-D

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  9. Well Rita passed me right by, I'll have to give this a rewatch! I loved your review and all the stills you chose, Joan Blondell had such wonderful comic timing - in fact, I think she's underrated as a comedic actress.

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    1. Girls Do Film, we're happy you enjoyed our THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN blog post! Joan Blondell was so versatile, bless her, always a joy to watch whether she's a deft comedienne in THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN, or dramatic in THREE ON A MATCH or NIGHTMARE ALLEY, and so much more! Thanks for your enthusiastic praise, Girls, and feel free to drop by TALES OF THE EASILY DISTRACTED anytime! :-D

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  10. Lots of fun, Dorian -- I haven't seen this one! I adore Joan Blondell -- she never did a bad perforrmance! I was tickled to see one of my favorite movies mentioned, Mad Love, because I always liked Frances Drake. Your entertaining post mades me hope I'll be able to catch this one soon...

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    1. Becky, once again you're a gal after my own heart, this time with your kind kudos about THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN! Like you, we love us some Joan Blondell, whether she's in comedies or dramas (like NIGHTMARE ALLEY ), but I admit I especially like her in comedies like THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN! It turns up on TCM from time to time, so keep an eye out for it! Hugs to you and yours Big Sis, and I hope you get to see it soon! :-D Thanks a million!

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  11. Well, Dorian, you did it again. I've never heard of this movie! Nope. As much as I like Joan Blondell too. And Melvyn Douglas and most especially, Jerome Cowan. Shame on me. It sounds like the sort of thing I would love. Where have I been?

    Well, all is not lost. Now that I know about - thanks to you - I can look out for it.

    PS Love those clips you included. A brick landing on Douglas' head is always good for a laugh. Ha!

    Love the credits title page too!

    Joan Blondell was such a broad. That's why I've always liked her so much.

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    1. Yvette, you're right, Joan Blondell was a broad AND a dame -- must be why I love her, too! :-) I'm tickled that you got a kick out of THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN, too! Can't beat that swell cast, either but -- watch for those bricks, though! Big owies! :-D They say there's nothing like a dame, but as far as I'm concerned, my friend, there's nothing like a dame! So glad you dropped by to join the THERE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN fun and frolic!

      P.S.: Our current blog post about the 1956 version of Hitchcock's THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is still on, if you'd like to join the chat! You're always welcome, as you surely know! Here's the link, if you're interested:

      http://doriantb.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-man-who-knew-too-much-1956-que-sera.html

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  12. And of course, Yvette, there's nothing like a DAME, too! It's getting late, so bear with me for being farshmmelt, as we say in our old neighborhood! :-D Warmest wishes to you and your dear little kiddos!

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