User Reviews

For most of her career Janet Gaynor did nothing, but play small town girls, the best known being Esther Blodgett. But I've seen her in films like State Fair and Three Loves Has Nancy and it's the same part, the girl from the tiny hamlet who conquers the big city and the men in it. With a title like this, there was only one casting possibility.

Janet's a girl who's thoroughly stuck in a rut in her New England hamlet and yearns for a little adventure. She finds it in the person of Robert Taylor, a young doctor who comes from a wealthy Boston family. After a night's carousing Gaynor and Taylor are married, to the chagrin of his fiancé, Binnie Barnes and her boyfriend James Stewart.

Remember this is Boston so Taylor's father Lewis Stone prevails on Taylor to give the marriage a few months trial. Of course this is where the balance of the story comes in. In many ways this plot seems like a harbinger of The Way We Were.

Taylor's career was now in full swing as Small Town Girl was the next film after his breakout performance in Magnificent Obsession. Remember in that film he was a playboy who became a doctor. Here's he's a doctor who doubles as a playboy. Never mind though, feminine hearts all over the English speaking world were fluttering over MGM's latest heartthrob. My mother who was a juvenile at this time told me that Taylor's appeal back in these days was just about the same as Elvis's.

James Stewart was at the beginning of his career as well as MGM had him in about seven features in 1936, mostly in support. Interesting though with worse career management, he could have gone on playing hick roles like Elmer the boyfriend. But it was also obvious there was a spark of stardom with him as well.

Gaynor would leave the screen a few years later, Taylor was at the beginning of his career. He'd have better acting roles in his future, but for now Small Town Girl is a great example of the screen heartthrob he was at the beginning of his stardom. Fans of both stars will like what they see in Small Town Girl.

Knew this would be a good film because it was directed by William A. Wellman who is a famous director. This story deals with a young girl named Kay Brannan, (Janet Gaynor) who lives in a small town and Kay is getting tired of the same people and the same things that they talk about and also having to marry the same type of man everyone else does. On night she is walking around her town and she meets up with Dr. Bob Dakin, (Robert Taylor) who takes her to a bar and they both get rather smashed. They wind up going to a justice of the peace in the middle of the morning and get married and you can just imagine what happens the next morning when they both wake up. There is plenty of comedy and a very cute love story which will warm your heart. Enjoy.

"Small Town Girl" is a light, entertaining piece starring Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor. Gaynor is a young woman sick of her humdrum life. When she meets playboy Robert Taylor, she's enchanted by him, as most women of the '30s were. While they're together, he gets smashed and proposes. Thinking of her family and what she's got to go back to, she accepts. He's engaged already, so his family encourages him to wait six months before divorcing the stranger he married. You can figure out the rest.

The two stars are very appealing. Gaynor always had a sweet, charming, and innocent demeanor; Taylor is elegant and handsome. James Stewart plays a neighborhood boy who likes Gaynor. He doesn't have much of a part and very little function in the movie, but he's cute. Seeing him in some of the early films and realizing what a mega-star he became, it's hard to believe he was ever subjected to these tiny roles, but he was. He has more to do in "Murder Man," which is actually earlier than this film. MGM seemed to just stick him where they needed him, as they did Spencer Tracy in his early years. You can't argue with their formula, as it yielded two great stars.

Small Town Girl (1936)

*** (out of 4)

Charming Cinderella type story about a poor farm girl (Janet Gaynor) who goes out with a rich playboy (Robert Taylor) and after getting drunk the two are married. When they sober up they realize the mistake they've made but agree to stay married for six months so that the scandal won't ruin his career. Director Wellman handles the rather sappy story very well and the two stars really shine, which is the main reason this film works. Gaynor is very charming here and quite believable as the poor girl who gets caught up in something she didn't expect. Taylor is equally impressive and is able to be charming yet a jerk at the same time. The strong supporting cast includes Lewis Stone, Binnie Barnes, Andy Devine and James Stewart. The film runs a tad bit too long and is quite predictable but there's no denying the charm between the cast.

I'm always leery of any film in which a couple marry when they are drunk and then can't remember what happened later when they are sober. That is partially the premise in this film; it is Robert Taylor who is the drunkard and he recalls what happened with great difficulty. Janet Gaynor had been drinking, but she knew what she was doing and took the opportunity to get out of her small-town humdrum life. To me, the situation is virtually impossible, and what J.P. would marry a man who is that pie-eyed? Still, once the event happens, I found myself rather enjoying most of the rest of the movie despite its predictability. Only the yacht trip dragged a little.

I confess I was never a Taylor or Gaynor fan when I say that the best one in the film is 8th-billed James Stewart, playing Gaynor's home-town boyfriend. It wasn't too much longer when his star shone much brighter than either of the two stars in this film.

Janet Gaynor is best remembered for being the star of three silent classics, SEVENTH HEAVEN, SUNRISE, and STREET ANGEL, for which the then 22-year-old actress won the first Best Actress Academy Award and became the last superstar of the silent era. She was wildly popular in the 1930's as well, right up to her self-imposed retirement in 1938. In the early 1930's she was in fact the most popular young actress on the screen. Alas, because most of her films were made by Fox and have had little circulation since initial release (with the very notable exception of the classic A STAR IS BORN), she tends to be overlooked among the thirties stars today. SMALL TOWN GIRL, however, is better known than most of her films mainly because the MGM film airs quite often on TCM.

SMALL TOWN GIRL is an excellent light romantic drama with an utterly endearing and empathic performance by Janet. She stars as a twenty-something girl who has become bored out of her mind by the daily routine of her life - working at her brother-in-law's "mom and pop" grocery, customers buying the same things every week, eating the same meals every specific day of the week, having to listen to mindless small talk of customers as well as the repetitive comments of friends and relatives. Perhaps worst of all is her utterly unromantic and unambitious semi-boyfriend James Stewart. Janet appears to be the only person in town who knows there's a better way of life out there but she's powerless to find it. When the kids of a nearby college and young football fans cause a slight traffic jam passing through town going to a game, Janet looks on with wistfulness at their carefree, fun, and promising lives. After almost being run down by handsome (make that gorgeous) Robert Taylor, he stops and they talk a bit. He asks is she knows a short cut to the tavern he's headed to and with his warm personality and obvious breeding has little difficulty persuading her to join him. They have a wonderful evening and Taylor gets quite plastered (apparently a frequent occurrence for him) and Janet herself imbibes in champagne for the first time but remains sober. Driving her home, Taylor impulsively decides to propose to her and drives to the justice of the peace where some of his friends were just married. Janet protests mildly but finds herself unable to turn away from this prince charming that dropped in her lap from out of nowhere and finally agrees to marry him.

Driving away after becoming man and wife, the ever intoxicated Taylor runs off the road in a slight crash in a ditch and falls asleep. The next morning, he sobers up and doesn't remember anything but learns he is now a married man. When he learns Janet wasn't drunk at the time they married he suspects her of being a fortune hunter, meanwhile she learns he was already engaged to socialite Binnie Barnes and he's the son of a wealthy man and is a promising young doctor. Taylor decides to avoid scandal they will live as man and wife in-name-only for six months and then divorce. He is quite cool now to Gaynor whom he sees as an opportunist and his hostile demeanor has Janet now disliking him as well. But as time passes Janet recaptures the attraction and affection she initially felt for him whereas he is still waiting for the day the marriage will end and he can openly see Binnie Barnes.

Janet Gaynor gives a wonderful performance in this movie, the viewer is completely with her at all stages. Her sincerity shines through every scene and shows you why 30's audiences loved her so much. She is very fine in the early scenes fully capturing small town discontentment as well as her impetuous first night with Taylor and she never makes a false move throughout the film. Robert Taylor is so dashing it's hard to imagine any woman who could resist his charms. He is excellent and like Janet, you can't help but being drawn to him even when he is unsympathetic because you know he is better than his actions. The supporting cast generally has insignificant roles but James Stewart (in one of his first films) is so credible as the bland boy next door it's a wonder he didn't end up typecast for good as the Ralph Bellamy of rural films, the perennial second placer. Elizabeth Patterson as Janet's mother and Lewis Stone as Robert's father do what they can with their small roles and it was fun to see a toddler on screen (Janet's sister Isabell Jewell's daughter) being a picky-eating little brat unlike most films of the era with perfectly mannered children. SMALL TOWN GIRL is a small gem in MGM's crown and most definitely worth seeing.

Traffic sends the rich crowd attending the Yale-Harvard football game to drive through a small town. Local guy Elmer Clampett (James Stewart) likes small town girl Kay Brannan (Janet Gaynor) but she doesn't feel the same. She encounters rich Boston doctor Bob Dakin (Robert Taylor) asking for directions. A drunken Dakin marries Kay who only wants to leave her small town. He's supposed to marry girlfriend Priscilla Hyde in two weeks. He wants an annulment but his father refuses to give him the easy way out for many reasons.

This is very early in Jimmy Stewart's career so it's reasonable that he's not the leading man. It doesn't stop me from wondering if he would be the better one to lead in this movie. That's not to say that Robert Taylor is a nobody. He's definitely a leading man of his era and he fits a little better as the rich playboy. It's to his credit that he is able to maintain some sympathies despite what the character could have been. As it stands, the rooting interest is still for Kay to go with Elmer. Jimmy is quite a catch.

Small Town Girl is a very predictable movie along the lines of "Boy Meets Girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" type sappy soap opera. The main reason to see this movie is if you are a James Stewart ( Elmer) or Robert Taylor ( Robert Dakin) completist. The best one in the movie ( by far) is the eighth credited Stewart ( although he was in the movie for only a couple of scenes). It is amazing that MGM really had no idea what to do with him ( even after he became a star with Frank Capra) which is why most of his best films were at other studios ( especially Universal). Taylor like in most of his early films really does nothing for me ( only when he did westerns later in his career did he excel). The girl in the movie Kay Brannan ( Janet Gaynor) was basically ho hum and again did nothing for me. What is most shocking is who directed this movie: William Wellman who is one of the all-time greats. He won an Oscar for A Star Is Born ( with Gaynor), and worked with some of the legends: Gary Cooper, James Cagney, Clark Gable, Barbara Stanwyck, John Wayne, Edward G. Robinson, Gregory Peck, Jean Harlow and even Clint Eastwood to name a few. He did work later on with Taylor in one of Taylor's best films Westward The Women, but here anyone could have directed this film. I give it 5/10 stars ( all for Stewart in his five minutes of the film).

An interesting film with a playful seduction, which it does everything to avoid throughout, between a rich, young Boston doctor (Robert Taylor) from an old money family who's out carousing around in his convertible roadster after the "Big" Harvard-Yale game and by chance picks up a dissatisfied "small town girl" (Janet Gaynor) who's out aimlessly walking the streets in her little town. The socio-economic strata between old money wealth and idyllic small town middle class America (Andy Devine and James Stewart) is bridged by a love (you can't help but think it's his position and money she's after, though the film tries in just about every scene to make you believe it's real). After a few drinks at a nearby roadhouse, they stumble upon a justice of the peace in the middle of the night and (from Taylor's perspective) just for the heck of it, get married, a marriage that he must maintain for six months in light of his position in Boston society, which we see snippets of, the best one being a gala dance in Boston after they've been married for five months or so, and Taylor's original fiancé (Binnie Barnes), makes her move to reclaim him . Taylor is probably the best part in the film, though the story could have been sharper.

Wonderful Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor comedy depicting the differences between the upper and middle classes of society.

Gaynor longs for a life outside of her town and Taylor represents everything that she wants. Though meeting him in an unusual way, and marrying him while he is drunk, he turns his part as a total heel when he becomes sober. Reluctantly, she agrees to stay with him for 6 months in pretending that there is wedded bliss.

We know that the picture shall be devoted to how the two will find their way to love despite there being Taylor's fiancée, nicely played by a bitchy Binnie Barnes. Despite his cruelty to his wife, Taylor shows an element of compassion in his treating of a brain injured child. Somehow that child will become the link that will bring this couple together and start Barnes packing.

Robert Taylor as a romantic leading man is just as much at home with comedy as he is with melodrama, war films and westerns. Janet Gaynor is superb and it's interesting to note that Jean Harlow was the first choice, because that would have given this picture an entirely different flavor.

And here's an interesting bit of trivia: there are more than a few connections to MGM's popular Andy Hardy. The small town that Gaynor's character comes from is called Carvel. The stage play that served as the basis for the Hardy series set the action in a fictitious Idaho town called Carvel, but in most of the Andy Hardy movies, the location is much more generalized and is basically Carvel, USA. But in this film, it is clearly established that Carvel is in the east. Road signs during one of the scenes indicate that Carvel is 97 miles from Boston.

Janet Gaynor would re-team with director William Wellman for A Star Is Born. Meanwhile, MGM would remake this film in 1953, with musical scenes, starring Ann Blyth and Farley Granger.

Are you sure this is a rom com? First half hour (all I could take) is downright dour focusing as it does on the title character's provincial miseries. Not a raised corner of the mouth in sight. And it's REALLY annoying to see the greatest American film actor ever playing second, no make that third, banana to rat fink Bob. C minus.

This film was by far the best dramedy I have scene. Simple, concise, deep enough, clearly understanding of the human-condition, weakness, and heart. This picture is absolutely brilliant and no one can take that away.

I had to wait to watch this. I have adored Bob Taylor for three months now, since I discovered him in late May, early June this year. I have been watching all the films of his, I can get my hands on.

Due to left-wing folks in Hollywood, who took his blacklisting response on communism too much to heart, he has been slowly erased from MGM, TCM, Warner classics, etc. Since his passing in 1969. Fear not- RT fans- he is making a come-back, and I am one of the few loyal fans on this planet who will partake in bringing back the magic he had on the silver-screen.

"Small Town Girl" Is one of his earlier pictures, what with his being only twenty-four years of age during its production. He made a lot of great movies this year, including "His Brother's Wife" Where he met and got to know pal and future failed marriage, Barbara Stanwyck. He also had his big break later in the year with Greta Garbo in "Camille" which is one of the few films that withstood the test of time and people still know about- only because of Garbo, of course. Anyhow, I digress; Janet Gaynor. Never had heard of her before this film, even despite being raised on all of the classics, 1920s onward (And even before) but now I am so happy this was my first impression of her.

Gaynor's portrayal of Katherine Brannan, or Kay, as she is so called, is spot-on. She has the most impeccable expressions, when it comes to the various emotions of this character throughout the film. There's the frustration in the beginning of a girl, being trapped in her own family, not being able to relate to them the way she perhaps, once had. I relate to her, so I suppose that's ultimately why I adore this film so much. I love my family, and I have recently returned to them, which is another reason I love it, cause she sees how important that is when the time comes... then there's the sassy, catty version of Miss Brannan, where she really tries hard to be the newly-wed of Mr T's character Bob "Doc" Dakin. (Whenever I read his name before, the Englishman in me pronounced it "Daw-kin" when really it is Day-kin)

Now for Mr Taylor... Ahhhhh Mr Taylor. His performance couldn't have been done better by anyone. And I mean it! Not just cause I am biased and adore the man, but to play the scuzzy-playboy in the beginning, you have no inkling is in a relationship, actually- affianced to Priscilla, and then to play this sweet innocent Kay and to take her for a ride, in all senses of the word (besides the modern vulgarity) Ohhh and then how he develops as she makes him a better doctor, a better professional- a better PERSON! Love his performance, and hers.

This is a must-see if you like any fun films from the '30s, specially '36!

ENJOY. and pay close attention, most quotable little dramedy, I've ever seen.

So, this story promotes the idea that you should follow your dreams and bag a rich guy. Forget the local boy. Small town girl Janet Gaynor (Kay) accidently lands herself in the wealthy world of surgeon Robert Taylor (Bob). Taylor has a fiancée Binnie Barnes (Priscilla) but he has a reckless casual attitude to life, speeding along in cars & picking up women. He's a spoilt brat. Can Gaynor change this?

The film is ok but leans towards the boring and sentimental. It has a generous helping of irritating characters - that damn kid who needs an operation - I don't care!!! Joan Russell plays a much better kid - she's a big baby and she's funny. How about Willie Fung (So-So)? Disgraceful foolish rubbish. The film loses interest but you watch to see how things will work out. This is because James Stewart (Elmer) is also in the film and is in love with Gaynor. He has a local job, even gets promoted and looks a bit similar to Taylor, so is there in the looks department as well. What does Gaynor do? It's quite cruel, really. I didn't like it.

"Small Town Girl" has an appropriate title. So many young people of the 1930s through 1950s in small town America dreamed of leaving for other places, especially the cities with their excitement and opportunities. (I was one in the later period who imagined traveling around the world for adventure and excitement.) Janet Gaynor is Kay Brannan who works in the family grocery store that is run by her brother, George. They are in a rural town through which the traffic for the Harvard-Yale football game must travel due to a road detour.

Kay dreams of leaving her boring life for excitement, and has the opportunity when Bob Dakin (Robert Taylor) pulls up to ask for directions and coaxes her to go to a famous tavern for dinner and a party. Dakin isn't a college kid but a wealthy doctor from a Boston blue-blood family. He calls Kay, "Goodness." Having imbibed loads of champagne, the two wake up a justice of the peace and get married. On their way to Boston, Bob runs off the road and they sleep in the car.

The next morning, Bob doesn't remember the night before, but Kay helps him put the pieces together. That, and their marriage license in his pocket. He had no choice but to take her home to meet his folks and ask his dad to get him out of this mess before his fiancé, Priscilla Hyde (Binnie Barnes) finds out.

Thus begins some comedy, drama and a story that sees a wealthy, playboy, irresponsible doctor on the verge of alcoholism, straighten out over time. It has a very happy ending for all. Well, all except Elmer Clampett, the local utility lineman who just got a promotion to foreman and hoped to marry Kay. But, he showed small town manners by wishing Kay well. James Stewart plays Elmer in just his sixth film. His character is very affable as the home-town boy. All of the cast give good performances.

This is a sweet girl movie of the 1920s and 1930s for which Gaynor was known. Her nickname clearly applied for her role in this film. Gaynor's career started in silent films of the mid-1920s. She was very popular with fans and at the box office. She won the first Oscar for best actress - in 1929. She left acting in 1936, at just age 32, except for an occasional return for a film in the 1950s.

This is a very good comedy drama that most people should enjoy. Her are some favorite lines.

Bob Dakin, "I'm tired of being a grouch, aren't you?" Kay Brannan, "I never was. But I was getting to be." Bob, "Forgive me?" Kay, "Of course."

Kay Brannon, "No, but just the thought of feeling you're able to take poor, sick bodies and put them together, and have them put all their trust in you... when they're scared and clinging to life - that's a marvelous thing."

Bob Dakin, "I guess you're just a funny little kid." Kay Brannon, "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."