Ann Harding plays a plastic surgeon in this precode classic from RKO. The subject matter may have been fairly new to movie audiences at the time. To some extent, the information presented about cosmetic procedures seems a bit superficial...it is suggested that such surgery can solve all of a woman's insecurities about her appearance.
Of course, Harding's clients are wealthy, and none are men. A few of them have been in an accident, and again, it is suggested plastic surgery can fix all damaged facial tissue and prevent scarring. I found it naive to promote this type of operating as a one-shot fix-all. The truth is some people who have been badly disfigured in accidents require more than one surgery.
All that aside we are meant to view Harding's character as a godlike doctor whose services are sought for miles around. She is so popular in her chosen profession that she barely has time for herself. In the world of precodes, it means she barely has time to be a woman and enjoy some of the pleasures in life a woman should enjoy- like handsome young men. That's where Robert Young's character enters the picture.
Though a lot isn't made of the age difference between Harding and Young in the story, it's clear she's older, and definitely more mature. She carries herself with honor and possesses a self-deprecating sense of humor. He, on the other hand, is still a shallow playboy, happiest cavorting with women up in his plane (shades of Howard Hughes?). When Young meets Harding in the hospital one day after his mother's surgery, he notices Harding. Later, when she finally takes a vacation and heads out west, they reconnect in California. At this point, Young pursues her openly.
There are complications galore. Young had previously been seeing a society deb (Sari Maritza) closer to his own age and station in life. While he casts Maritza aside, he doesn't quite get over her. At the same time, Harding has a medical colleague back east (played by Nils Asther in a role intended for Paul Lukas) who is sweet on her. Harding doesn't take Asther's affections seriously until it's almost too late. By then her impulsive marriage to Young is falling apart.
There's a great twist near the end, in which Young and Maritza are in a plane crash. It's clear to Harding that her new husband and the other gal have been carrying on romantically. Young will survive, he's mostly just in shock. But Maritza's face has been damaged, so you can see where this is going. Will Harding operate on this other woman and restore her to her beautiful self? We know Harding will, since she is an honorable and noble person. If this were a Universal horror film, she'd probably be selfish and allow Maritza to live with the damage, then Maritza would want revenge.
The best parts of the film, in my opinion, are the west coast scenes. It is fun to see Harding relax and have fun, to watch her experience a fling. A humorous montage has her and Young enjoy a series of outdoor adventures together, never quite doing what they set out to do.
A few areas might have been improved. I felt the subplot with Asther was somewhat predictable, and overly sentimental with the inclusion of a crippled boy that bonded them together. And there was too much organ music in the initial scenes, to play up the discontent and melancholy Harding's character suffered before she went on vacation. Early radio soap operas would perfect the use of organ music to accent a long-suffering heroine's woes. But these are minor quibbles. For the most part, it's a dandy precode, and Harding as always, delivers the goods.
Of course, Harding's clients are wealthy, and none are men. A few of them have been in an accident, and again, it is suggested plastic surgery can fix all damaged facial tissue and prevent scarring. I found it naive to promote this type of operating as a one-shot fix-all. The truth is some people who have been badly disfigured in accidents require more than one surgery.
All that aside we are meant to view Harding's character as a godlike doctor whose services are sought for miles around. She is so popular in her chosen profession that she barely has time for herself. In the world of precodes, it means she barely has time to be a woman and enjoy some of the pleasures in life a woman should enjoy- like handsome young men. That's where Robert Young's character enters the picture.
Though a lot isn't made of the age difference between Harding and Young in the story, it's clear she's older, and definitely more mature. She carries herself with honor and possesses a self-deprecating sense of humor. He, on the other hand, is still a shallow playboy, happiest cavorting with women up in his plane (shades of Howard Hughes?). When Young meets Harding in the hospital one day after his mother's surgery, he notices Harding. Later, when she finally takes a vacation and heads out west, they reconnect in California. At this point, Young pursues her openly.
There are complications galore. Young had previously been seeing a society deb (Sari Maritza) closer to his own age and station in life. While he casts Maritza aside, he doesn't quite get over her. At the same time, Harding has a medical colleague back east (played by Nils Asther in a role intended for Paul Lukas) who is sweet on her. Harding doesn't take Asther's affections seriously until it's almost too late. By then her impulsive marriage to Young is falling apart.
There's a great twist near the end, in which Young and Maritza are in a plane crash. It's clear to Harding that her new husband and the other gal have been carrying on romantically. Young will survive, he's mostly just in shock. But Maritza's face has been damaged, so you can see where this is going. Will Harding operate on this other woman and restore her to her beautiful self? We know Harding will, since she is an honorable and noble person. If this were a Universal horror film, she'd probably be selfish and allow Maritza to live with the damage, then Maritza would want revenge.
The best parts of the film, in my opinion, are the west coast scenes. It is fun to see Harding relax and have fun, to watch her experience a fling. A humorous montage has her and Young enjoy a series of outdoor adventures together, never quite doing what they set out to do.
A few areas might have been improved. I felt the subplot with Asther was somewhat predictable, and overly sentimental with the inclusion of a crippled boy that bonded them together. And there was too much organ music in the initial scenes, to play up the discontent and melancholy Harding's character suffered before she went on vacation. Early radio soap operas would perfect the use of organ music to accent a long-suffering heroine's woes. But these are minor quibbles. For the most part, it's a dandy precode, and Harding as always, delivers the goods.