- Man-Proof
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Man-Proof 
Promotional posterDirected by Richard Thorpe Produced by Louis D. Lighton Written by Fanny Heaslip Lea (novel)
Waldemar Young
Vincent Lawrence
George OppenheimerStarring Myrna Loy
Franchot Tone
Rosalind Russell
Walter PidgeonMusic by Franz Waxman Cinematography Karl Freund Editing by George Boemler Distributed by MGM Release date(s) January 7, 1938 Running time 75 minutes Country United States Language English Man-Proof is a 1938 romantic comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film is based on the 1937 novel The Four Marys written by Fannie Heaslip Lea.[1]
Contents
Plot
The daughter of wealthy and famous novelist Meg Swift, Mimi is a young woman who seems to have a perfect life. The opposite appears to be the case, as her deep love for playboy Alan Wythe remains unanswered. Despite her mother's newspaper artist friend Jimmy Kilmartin warnings of Alan's scandalous past revolving women, Mimi is determined to one day become Mrs. Wythe. However, another woman beats her to the title. Mimi is crushed when she finds out that Alan is marrying heiress Elizabeth Kent, but swallows her pride to serve as the bridesmaid.
At the wedding, Mimi overhears snobbish women gossiping about her love life. As a result, she gets drunk and admits to Alan she is in love with him. Later that night, Jimmy attempts to consolate her, as does Meg. Encouraged by her mother, Mimi agrees to move out of the house and build up a career to forget Alan. After moving in an apartment, Jimmy arranges her a job as an illustrator at his newspaper. Months go by and Mimi has become a happy woman, although she has not forgot about Alan. When she receives notice of Alan and Elizabeth's return from their honeymoon, she pretends she has no feelings for Alan any longer.
Encouraged by those thoughts, she even agrees to meet Alan and offers him to be friends. Alan is interested in the thought of befriending a woman and they decide on going out. Meg and Jimmy spot them attending a boxing match and are immediately worried. The next day, following a joyful night with Alan, Mimi admits to Jimmy that she is still in love with Alan. Jimmy tries to prevent her from breaking up a marriage, but Mimi is determined to convince Alan to divorce Elizabeth so they can marry. She calls Elizabeth and informs her of her true feelings.
Later that day, Alan, despite being discouraged by Jimmy, meets Mimi with plans of continuing their affair. He is worried, though, when he finds out he is to divorce Elizabeth. They are interrupted by a visit from Elizabeth, who blames her husband for being too selfish. Alan agrees with his wife, and accompanies Elizabeth to save their marriage, leaving Mimi behind crushed. Yet again, Jimmy consolates Mimi and they agree on ending their quarrel over their different views on morality. After arriving at Megs, they realize they have been in love with each other the entire time and they kiss.
Cast
- Myrna Loy as Mimi Swift
- Franchot Tone as Jimmy Kilmartin
- Rosalind Russell as Elizabeth Kent
- Walter Pidgeon as Alan Wythe
- Nana Bryant as Meg Swift
- Rita Johnson as Florence (scenes deleted)
- Ruth Hussey as Jane (scenes deleted)
- Leonard Penn as Bob
- John Miljan as Tommy Gaunt
Production
Man-Proof went into production in 1937 under the working title The Four Marys.[2] In July 1937, it was announced that Richard Thorpe would direct the film, with Myrna Loy, Rosalind Russell, Melvyn Douglas and Franchot Tone in the leading roles. Douglas was later replaced by Walter Pidgeon.[2]
By the time shooting started, leading lady Myrna Loy was still mourning with the death of her friend and colleague Jean Harlow.[3] Nevertheless, she recalled that she experienced production of Man-Proof as joyful, due to her positive experience with co-stars Pidgeon and Rosalind Russell.[3] Loy and Russell became friends during shooting[3], though they had been frequent competitors for movie roles in the past.[4]
Reception
The film received generally negative reviews, with critics complaining that the film was "trifling," "thin" and "clichéd."[3] Furthermore, Man-Proof flopped at the box office.[3]
References
- ^ Info "Screenplay Info for Man-Proof (1938)". Turner Classic Movies. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1911&category=Screenplay Info. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
- ^ a b "Notes for Man-Proof (1938)". Turner Classic Movies. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1911&category=Notes. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
- ^ a b c d e "Man-Proof: Overview Article". Turner Classic Movies. http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1911&category=Articles. Retrieved 2010-05-04.
- ^ "For Your Amusement" by Miriam Bell, The Miami News, October 30, 1935, p. 11
External links
- Man-Proof at the Internet Movie Database
- Man-Proof at the TCM Movie Database
Categories:- American films
- English-language films
- 1938 films
- 1930s romantic comedy films
- American romantic comedy films
- Black-and-white films
- Films based on novels
- Films directed by Richard Thorpe
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
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