Review of Forsaking All Others (1934) by Jay N — 30 Jun 2010

Forsaking All Others (1935).

This is a slightly better than average 1930's screwball, romantic-comedy with W.S. Van Dyke directing. Robert Montgomery, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Rosalind Russell, are at the top of their game. Everybody is rich, jet-setter types in tails, top-hats, and fancy ball gowns.

Jeffrey Williams (Gable) is met at the New York dock by one of his old friends, Shemp (Charles Butterworth). Jeff has just returned from Madrid and is planning on asking his childhood crush, Mary Clay (Crawford) to marry him. When they arrive at a party in progress, he's shocked to find that Mary is already hapily engaged to his other friend, Dillon Todd (Montgomery).

Jeff swallows his disappointment, especially when Mary asks him to walk her down the isle, and resigns himself to getting appropriately drunk. However, an old flame of Dillon's, Connie Barnes (Frances Drake), shows up at his apartment and talks Dill into running away with her and impulsively get married; thus leaving Mary at the alter.

Jeff tries to console her. But, Mary is determined to get with Dillon even if it's behind Connie's back to the disgust of Jeff, who frankly can't take it anymore. Will Mary get her act together and realize the man for her?