In the much later film "To Die For", starring Nicole Kidman, sarcasm and irony is heaped upon the obsession of some to be a media celebrity: in Nicole's case, to be a TV personality or movie star. Similarly, here, sarcasm and irony is heaped upon most women's never-ending insecurity over their perceived all-important looks. Even naturally good-looking women often seek to somehow correct real or imagined small flaws in their face or whole bodies. One such woman is Eve Caron(Genevieve Tobin). Cary Grant, as Dr. Lamar, runs a cosmetic surgery and fitness center in Paris. Although married, Eve keeps returning to the clinic for yet more treatments, partly because she's obsessed with Cary. Finally, he declares that she is his perfect creation, and bids her farewell. But, she's determined to marry him, after her husband, Marcel(E. E. Horton) divorces her for being too full of herself. He complains that he liked her previous self, not her present obsession on maintaining her enhanced looks. Now, every man will want to make love to her.
Well, the divorce happens, and despite Marcel's warnings, Cary is puddy in Eve's arms. Sure enough, their wedding night and whole honeymoon is a disaster! Eve refuses to accompany Cary in an ocean swim, because he had taught her than salt water ruins your looks. She ruins Cary's chance to be named the president of the cosmetic surgeon's society at a banquet, because she took hours to get herself ready, so that the banquet was over by the time they sauntered in. When it was time to consumate their wedding, Eve appears with her face smeared with cleansing cream, her hands covered with long gloves, and her head covered with a net. Cary is so repelled, he says goodbye. It's taken that he divorces her.
Meanwhile, Cary's faithful, but non-glamorous, secretary, Annie((Helen Mack) has had a crush on him for years. But he treats her like a kid sister. Finally, he invites her to spend an evening in his apartment, supposedly to work on a book he's writing. But, he makes several moves to suggest he actually has romance on his mind, including serenading her with "Love Divided by Two". But, then suddenly switches to talking about working on the book. How cruel! She's humiliated, and storms out, crying. During Cary's 'honeymoon', she establishes a romance with Marcel, whom she declares is lacking in excess vanity, and has curly hair, she likes to run her fingers through. She quits her job with Cary. Consequently, when Cary returns to his clinic, he finds that all is not well. For one thing, the Maharajah's harem of previously mostly plump middle-aged-looking women have been transformed into sleek beautiful young things, and have decided to abandon the middle-aged Maharajah for anticipated handsome young men. Annie announces she is going to marry Marcel, while Cary blurts out that, now, he loves her. "Sorry, too late, Buster". But, before she has a chance to tie the knot, she discovers that Marcel's 'naturally' curly hair is a toupee! Yes, he also has vanity about his looks, just as Cary has vanity about his skill in making women more beautiful. But, Cary has renounced his profession, realizing it's down side. He has lost his excess vanity, Hence, Annie is OK to forget his past ignoring of her, and gives him a passionate kiss to end the film.
The film mixes various types of humor: sophisticated farce, low farce, satire, irony, screwball romance, and, at the end, good old Mack Sennett-style slapstick, in a wild car chase, which was a great way to finish the film! In all, I think this is my favorite Cary Grant film! It also includes the 1934 Wampas baby stars, who make up the staff at Cary's clinic, among other things. Besides the two renditions of "Love, Divided by Two", Marcel and Annie sing the novelty song "Corned Beef and Cabbage", which is the humble fare that Annie ordered for them to eat. Funny, it reminds me of the novelty song "I Love Corny Music", in ""Broadway Melody".
In the 1959 musical "Li'l Abner", the opposite sarcasm is included: The boyfriends take Mammy's magical Yokumberry Tonic, which immediately makes them into self-absorbed statuesque musclemen. But, they've lost all interest in romance. Thus, their girlfriends want them back the way they were.
Presently, you can find this film in the Cary Grant Screen Legend Collection.
Well, the divorce happens, and despite Marcel's warnings, Cary is puddy in Eve's arms. Sure enough, their wedding night and whole honeymoon is a disaster! Eve refuses to accompany Cary in an ocean swim, because he had taught her than salt water ruins your looks. She ruins Cary's chance to be named the president of the cosmetic surgeon's society at a banquet, because she took hours to get herself ready, so that the banquet was over by the time they sauntered in. When it was time to consumate their wedding, Eve appears with her face smeared with cleansing cream, her hands covered with long gloves, and her head covered with a net. Cary is so repelled, he says goodbye. It's taken that he divorces her.
Meanwhile, Cary's faithful, but non-glamorous, secretary, Annie((Helen Mack) has had a crush on him for years. But he treats her like a kid sister. Finally, he invites her to spend an evening in his apartment, supposedly to work on a book he's writing. But, he makes several moves to suggest he actually has romance on his mind, including serenading her with "Love Divided by Two". But, then suddenly switches to talking about working on the book. How cruel! She's humiliated, and storms out, crying. During Cary's 'honeymoon', she establishes a romance with Marcel, whom she declares is lacking in excess vanity, and has curly hair, she likes to run her fingers through. She quits her job with Cary. Consequently, when Cary returns to his clinic, he finds that all is not well. For one thing, the Maharajah's harem of previously mostly plump middle-aged-looking women have been transformed into sleek beautiful young things, and have decided to abandon the middle-aged Maharajah for anticipated handsome young men. Annie announces she is going to marry Marcel, while Cary blurts out that, now, he loves her. "Sorry, too late, Buster". But, before she has a chance to tie the knot, she discovers that Marcel's 'naturally' curly hair is a toupee! Yes, he also has vanity about his looks, just as Cary has vanity about his skill in making women more beautiful. But, Cary has renounced his profession, realizing it's down side. He has lost his excess vanity, Hence, Annie is OK to forget his past ignoring of her, and gives him a passionate kiss to end the film.
The film mixes various types of humor: sophisticated farce, low farce, satire, irony, screwball romance, and, at the end, good old Mack Sennett-style slapstick, in a wild car chase, which was a great way to finish the film! In all, I think this is my favorite Cary Grant film! It also includes the 1934 Wampas baby stars, who make up the staff at Cary's clinic, among other things. Besides the two renditions of "Love, Divided by Two", Marcel and Annie sing the novelty song "Corned Beef and Cabbage", which is the humble fare that Annie ordered for them to eat. Funny, it reminds me of the novelty song "I Love Corny Music", in ""Broadway Melody".
In the 1959 musical "Li'l Abner", the opposite sarcasm is included: The boyfriends take Mammy's magical Yokumberry Tonic, which immediately makes them into self-absorbed statuesque musclemen. But, they've lost all interest in romance. Thus, their girlfriends want them back the way they were.
Presently, you can find this film in the Cary Grant Screen Legend Collection.