PygmyLion — 1 year ago(September 04, 2024 03:22 PM)

For me this movie was a hidden gem, even though it only gets a 6.6 on IMDB. I think one has to like 1930's romantic comedies and like Ronald Colman's schtick to feel as I do about it, and I am a big fan of Loretta Young also. The movie is only 72 minutes long, although I would have enjoyed watching a bit more. I'll give it an 8.
Start of the story:
Willie Hale (Ronald Colman) has lost all his money that his father gave him to buy a house in East Africa - and is auctioning off the furniture to get his fare back home to England. Meanwhile, back at home Hale's father, Lord Leland (Frederic Kerr) is telling the family he won't let Willie even in the house, and then reducing it to he will kick him out when he gets there. Willie sends his luggage home first, and spends the night with his showgirl girlfriend Mary (a blonde Myrna Loy). Arriving at home the next morning, he finds his sister has a pretty young girlfriend visiting at breakfast named Dorothy (a 17 year old Loretta Young). Dorothy is to be engaged to a Russian Diplomat at a party that night, but after breakfast Willie has to meet with his father in the study…
I found Ronald Colman quite enjoyable to watch in his role, and Loretta Young was very good and pretty in her role. It was interesting seeing a blonde Myrna Loy. Frederic Kerr was fairly amusing as Lord Leland and Frances Britton does a nice job as Willie's sister, Susan.
One interesting little sideline, is that Willie sees a wired haired terrier (George) in a pet store window and buys it. George is not as active or into doing tricks as Asta (of the Thin Man (1934), and many other movies), but it does seem like a precursor to Asta.
I watched this movie off a link on its filmboard's page. Not a great copy, but watchable.
https://www.filmboards.com/board/10020821/
A blonde Myrna Loy: