One Way Passage (1932) Film Review

Plot Summary - Terrific precode romantic melodrama which mainly takes place aboard an ocean liner. Kay Francis and William Powell play Joan and Dan, a sophisticated couple who first meet in a Hong Kong bar over Paradise Cocktails where they start themselves a tradition of finishing the drink and then breaking the glasses, leaving the broken stems crossed on top of the bar. They meet again on the ship sailing from Hong Kong to San Francisco, but there's a big problem - see, unknown to Joan, Dan is travelling with a cop who is "escorting" him back to San Francisco and straight to San Quentin where he is to be executed for murder. Unknown to Dan - Joan, though still gorgeous and glamorous, is doomed as she suffers from some sort of fatal illness. They romance each other on the trip back (their background theme song playing each time they're on-screen together) - while two pals try to keep the truth (and the cop) away from Joan.

Review - This is a really good film, a real little pre-code gem - I love it. There's a whole lot of chemistry between the two leads, the film is quite romantic - I even like Frank McHugh, who plays Powell's sidekick, and his goofy laugh all through the film. Interestingly, just this last week I was trying to remember the name of the film that I've seen in which Kay Francis and William Powell drink the cocktail and then smash the glasses - and I couldn't think of it. Last night I just happened upon this on TCM just as it was starting - though sleepy, I watched the whole film. For those who want to try the famous "Paradise Cocktail", here's the recipe from the "Mr. Boston Official Bartender's Guide" - 1 ounce Apricot Flavored Brandy - 3/4 ounce Gin - Juice of 1/4 Orange - shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass. Enjoy! Rating - 10/10 stars

The Goose and the Gander (1935) Film Review

Plot Summary - Romantic farce in which the rich set get involved in a love quadrangle, all taking place at the "Beach Casino" hotel and later up in the mountains at the "Twin Pines" lodge. It's all about Bob and Betty and Ralph and Georgiana - Georgiana (Kay Francis) "admires" Bob (George Brent), Bob is having a secret rendezvous with Betty, Betty is married to Ralph - Ralph happens to be Georgiana's ex-husband. Okey dokey. Well, Georgiana first sees Bob on a hotel raft with Betty, Georgiana then does what it takes to meet him - and at the same time seek revenge against Betty, who stole her ex Ralph two years before. Meanwhile fickle Ralph meets up with Georgiana at the hotel and wants her back again, arranging to meet at her home that evening. Okay - this all sounds like a daytime soap opera, doesn't it?! When Bob and Betty head into the mountains for their secret affair, Georgiana has bribed a local gas station to tell them there's a smallpox epidemic and no gas, and steer them to the nearby lodge where lives Georgiana and her aunt (who knits while spouting one-liners). And soon the arrival of an upscale couple who happen to be two crooks who have stolen jewelry from rooms at the hotel and then took off in Betty's car to make their escape. The gal tells them all she's Betty - and they all know she's not, but don't let on! Ralph arrives, and all sorts of impersonations and tricks to come with Georgiana and Bob in the center of it all, flirting together big time - sparks are really flying.

Review - This film is a fast-paced and fun frolic, a real stylish thirties soap opera with cocktails, jewel thieves, some dopey detectives, and Kay Francis in a shiny black, skin-tight evening gown. The two gals - Kay Francis and actress Genevieve Tobin, who plays Betty - steal the picture. The plot of this film can, at times, be a touch confusing but the romantic part of the film works well based on a good deal of chemistry between Kay Francis and George Brent. Rating - 7 to 8/10 stars