Robert Montgomery is an editor for a magazine and he has convinced the owner to finance a scheme. Montgomery wants to convince a bohemian artist (Ann Harding) to write her supposedly scandalous autobiography to boost the magazine's sales. She is unsure about this but Montgomery is able to convince her. However, another man (Edward Everett Horton) has approached Harding and wants her to keep her life story to herself. That's because many years ago, Horton has dated Harding. Nothing scandalous ever came of it (which isn't surprising since Horton is involved) but Horton is afraid if he's even mentioned that it will hurt his chances in an upcoming senate race. Then, Horton's future father-in-law, a very rich and influential man, comes to beg her to keep Horton out of the story. But what is Harding to do...she doesn't want to hurt Montgomery (especially since she's falling in love with him) but she did promise to expose her life--warts and all.
Choosing Harding was a good decision as in the Pre-Code era (which just ended 1934) she was perhaps the most consistently amoral lady in films. I am NOT talking about her personal life but the characters she played--they were VERY much like the lady she played here--though who exactly she is is only implied in "Biography of a Bachelor Girl". Horton was also very good--playing his usual effete and dull lover. As for Montgomery, he was fine but it was funny that politically the guy he played was the exact opposite of him in real life. His character is a crusader and a bit of a socialist--while in real life he was a very conservative Republican.
Overall, this is a pretty good but not great film. It is enjoyable but perhaps a bit overlong--as there are a few flat portions and the film could have used a bit more energy. Still, the actors fine job and the film is quite enjoyable fun.
Choosing Harding was a good decision as in the Pre-Code era (which just ended 1934) she was perhaps the most consistently amoral lady in films. I am NOT talking about her personal life but the characters she played--they were VERY much like the lady she played here--though who exactly she is is only implied in "Biography of a Bachelor Girl". Horton was also very good--playing his usual effete and dull lover. As for Montgomery, he was fine but it was funny that politically the guy he played was the exact opposite of him in real life. His character is a crusader and a bit of a socialist--while in real life he was a very conservative Republican.
Overall, this is a pretty good but not great film. It is enjoyable but perhaps a bit overlong--as there are a few flat portions and the film could have used a bit more energy. Still, the actors fine job and the film is quite enjoyable fun.