You would think that with Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond and Robert Young that this would be a top-notch production--after all, at the time, all were top star--especially Stanwyck. However, despite the cast's best efforts, this was a very, very flawed movie--thanks to terrible writing. The problem is that the characters are generally unlikable and often behave in ways that just don't make any sense. And, considering that I love films from this era in Hollywood, it says a lot when I am this critical of "The Bride Walks Out".
The film begins with Raymond and Stanwyck thinking about marriage. Considering that there is no chemistry at all between them and they spend all their time arguing, when they go off to get married you can't help but wonder why! They seem to have nothing in common plus Raymond seems to live in complete denial about reality. While he goes through jobs right and left and is paid only $35 a week (not much by 1936 standards), he insists that when they marry that she MUST stay home and not work! As for Stanwyck, once she gets married (in the least romantic wedding scene ever filmed), she, too, learns to live in complete denial about reality. Though his paycheck is tiny, they live way outside their means and Stanwyck never mentions that they can't pay their bills--she pretends she's not only paid them off regularly but is putting money in the bank! Why?! Eventually, to bail them out of their financial mess, a rich guy (Young) pays off their debts and gives them money to live in a manner to which they simply should not be accustomed. Why would Young do this? It's obvious he's in love but she never reciprocated and it all makes him seem like a super-sap! Eventually when Raymond discovers Young's generosity, he stomps out--and they file for divorce! Huh?! Since this is a post-Code film, you know that somehow by the end Raymond and Stanwyck will get back together. But considering they both seem like idiots and demonstrate no love towards each other, you wonder why the heck the audience should care--I know I didn't.
In addition to the three leads, Ned Sparks and Helen Broderick are their for comic relief. However, for the most part, these two very snappy actors are given amazingly insipid lines and rarely are they particularly comical--when, with decent writing, they should be fun.
Oh, and in addition, there are a couple places in the film where the audience is told that a real man beats his wife every now and then! The first time occurs at the marriage license bureau when a cop tells Raymond and Stanwyck to stop arguing and that if he (Raymond) wants to beat her, it's okay with him as long as he waits to do it at home! Later, Stanwyck even suggests that if Raymond was a real man he get mad and slap her! Wow...
Overall, this film consists of impossible to believe and irrational characters from start to finish. They often come off as immature, selfish and very annoying. The film looks nice since it's a big studio production and some stars who were quite capable...and makes practically nothing with this! A big wasted opportunity.
The film begins with Raymond and Stanwyck thinking about marriage. Considering that there is no chemistry at all between them and they spend all their time arguing, when they go off to get married you can't help but wonder why! They seem to have nothing in common plus Raymond seems to live in complete denial about reality. While he goes through jobs right and left and is paid only $35 a week (not much by 1936 standards), he insists that when they marry that she MUST stay home and not work! As for Stanwyck, once she gets married (in the least romantic wedding scene ever filmed), she, too, learns to live in complete denial about reality. Though his paycheck is tiny, they live way outside their means and Stanwyck never mentions that they can't pay their bills--she pretends she's not only paid them off regularly but is putting money in the bank! Why?! Eventually, to bail them out of their financial mess, a rich guy (Young) pays off their debts and gives them money to live in a manner to which they simply should not be accustomed. Why would Young do this? It's obvious he's in love but she never reciprocated and it all makes him seem like a super-sap! Eventually when Raymond discovers Young's generosity, he stomps out--and they file for divorce! Huh?! Since this is a post-Code film, you know that somehow by the end Raymond and Stanwyck will get back together. But considering they both seem like idiots and demonstrate no love towards each other, you wonder why the heck the audience should care--I know I didn't.
In addition to the three leads, Ned Sparks and Helen Broderick are their for comic relief. However, for the most part, these two very snappy actors are given amazingly insipid lines and rarely are they particularly comical--when, with decent writing, they should be fun.
Oh, and in addition, there are a couple places in the film where the audience is told that a real man beats his wife every now and then! The first time occurs at the marriage license bureau when a cop tells Raymond and Stanwyck to stop arguing and that if he (Raymond) wants to beat her, it's okay with him as long as he waits to do it at home! Later, Stanwyck even suggests that if Raymond was a real man he get mad and slap her! Wow...
Overall, this film consists of impossible to believe and irrational characters from start to finish. They often come off as immature, selfish and very annoying. The film looks nice since it's a big studio production and some stars who were quite capable...and makes practically nothing with this! A big wasted opportunity.