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mrbinkley
Reviews
Secrets of a Secretary (1931)
excellent vehicle for Colbert's acting talents
This pre-code film showcases Claudette Colbert's acting at its finest. The plot is somewhat complex, beginning with her marriage to a gigolo, sudden loss of fortune and subsequent maltreatment by a woman who "sins" (right on screen--oh for those adult pre-code days of yore!). The minor disappointment caused by Herbert Marshall's dull performance in a dull role does not detract from the film overall; Colbert's versatility grabs the viewer from the start and carries you throughout. Compared to her other early performances, her work here may be her best. This film is a must-see for Colbert fans. Due to the plot and supporting performances (excepting poor Herbert's), however, even people who don't particularly like Colbert will enjoy it, too.
In Person (1935)
terrific, underrated romantic gem!
I was delightfully surprised at how fresh this film is! Ginger Rogers shines and sparkles! The songs in this film are also excellent examples of Dorothy Field's work. The songs, with their intelligent lyrics and as-always-wonderful staging of Hermes Pan, more than make up for Ginger's somewhat flat voice (What happened? She's on key with Astaire...) And believe it or not, dull old George Brent even has a twinkle in his eye or maybe even two--not as good as his early 30's work, but the most lively I've seen him in any of his other films. The plot is typical screwball of the times; no worse, no better. Overall this film is well worth seeing for light, cheerful entertainment.