The last of Kay Francis' "Monogram Trilogy" WIFE WANTED is an absorbing film that holds your attention throughout. The film has atmosphere, with dark edges and a mildly convoluted plot. Francis plays a "fading star" (a better title for the film) who dabbles in real estate. She then discovers she's been duped and co-erced into a lonely-hearts club rackett(after a murder that could implicate her takes place). Francis produced the film and acquired the talents of former co-stars Paul Cavanaugh (from 1931's TRANSGRESSION)and Veda Ann Borg (from 1937's CONFESSION), among others. Teala Loring (Debra Paget's sister), as a duped, down-and-out actress, overplays her part to the extreme, which had the audience howling at a recent showing of the film in San Francisco (11/7/01). Francis looks quite chic and lovely in many scenes, especially in a nightclub sequence, bejeweled and in an amazing white fur. A great musical selection by jazz pianist Edgar Hayes as he maneuvers through a cocktail lounge on wheels is a film highlight. One has to admire Francis' guts and performances in her Monogram films. She underplays to great effect, especially in ALLOTMENT WIVES and this long lost "gem" WIFE WANTED.
7 Reviews
Kay's last movie - but she is as stunning as ever!
g6lambert13 April 2005
Not bad at all for a "Poverty Row" production. Have always wanted to see one of Kay Francis' "Monogram Trio". Fairly good story line involving a dating agency she invests in and which leads to all sorts of complications. Also, plenty of familiar faces in support - the faces you know but can't put a name to. Kay looks as ravishing as in her heyday and plays her part in a mostly beautifully subdued way. Unfortunately the print I have is not very good, but, considering she was 47 at the time, this may even compliment her. Not a single wrinkle to be seen!! Well worth watching if you're a Kay Francis fan. A real collector's item.
a Monogram production
blanche-218 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The sophistication, glamour, and elegance of Kay Francis is the highlight of "Wife Wanted" from 1946. Though Francis is now working for poverty row studios, this still manages to be a decent movie. Apparently she produced it and lined up a pretty good cast consisting of Paul Cavanagh, Veda Ann Borg, Robert Shayne, and Teala Loring.
It's a routine story. Francis is a fading actress, Carol Raymond, who invests in an real estate company and becomes a partner of Jeff Caldwell (Cavanagh) who also runs a crooked "friendship club" (i.e., conning rich men) mostly handled by his wife Nola (Borg).
Carol soon discovers Jeff is a crook and is blackmailed into continuing to work for him - though she secretly plans on getting info about him to the police. For this, she needs the help of a desperate young woman (Loring). Along the way, she finds herself falling for a Texas oil man (Shayne) who is really a reporter digging for dirt.
First off, any baby boomer can immediately recognize the voice of Robert Shayne - Inspector Henderson on Superman. A lot of people don't know that in the Columbo episode "Suitable for Framing," he's the murder victim! It's nice to see him in this early role.
Teala Loring is Debra Paget's sister and apparently went to the Copacabana Acting School, which she discovered on the back of a matchbook. What a performance! It's actually the director's fault - why anyone let her walk around making those horrible faces is beyond me.
I understand from one review that this film was shown in San Francisco in 2001 and the audience howled with laughter at her. In these days of less is more, yes, even some excellent performances in classic film can look over the top today. So you can just imagine this one.
Paul Cavanagh is his usual dapper and charming self. As his jealous wife, Veda Ann Borg wisecracks her way through her part - naturally suspicious, she doesn't like Carol from the beginning.
Francis' clothes (particularly that white gown in the nightclub scene, which one could wear today) and jewelry are befitting a big "A" film. She gives the film a lot of class. It's worth seeing for her. The movie seems to end abruptly as Carol frantically searches for Mildred (Loring) and then forgets all about her a few minutes later. The viewer will not have that luxury.
It's a routine story. Francis is a fading actress, Carol Raymond, who invests in an real estate company and becomes a partner of Jeff Caldwell (Cavanagh) who also runs a crooked "friendship club" (i.e., conning rich men) mostly handled by his wife Nola (Borg).
Carol soon discovers Jeff is a crook and is blackmailed into continuing to work for him - though she secretly plans on getting info about him to the police. For this, she needs the help of a desperate young woman (Loring). Along the way, she finds herself falling for a Texas oil man (Shayne) who is really a reporter digging for dirt.
First off, any baby boomer can immediately recognize the voice of Robert Shayne - Inspector Henderson on Superman. A lot of people don't know that in the Columbo episode "Suitable for Framing," he's the murder victim! It's nice to see him in this early role.
Teala Loring is Debra Paget's sister and apparently went to the Copacabana Acting School, which she discovered on the back of a matchbook. What a performance! It's actually the director's fault - why anyone let her walk around making those horrible faces is beyond me.
I understand from one review that this film was shown in San Francisco in 2001 and the audience howled with laughter at her. In these days of less is more, yes, even some excellent performances in classic film can look over the top today. So you can just imagine this one.
Paul Cavanagh is his usual dapper and charming self. As his jealous wife, Veda Ann Borg wisecracks her way through her part - naturally suspicious, she doesn't like Carol from the beginning.
Francis' clothes (particularly that white gown in the nightclub scene, which one could wear today) and jewelry are befitting a big "A" film. She gives the film a lot of class. It's worth seeing for her. The movie seems to end abruptly as Carol frantically searches for Mildred (Loring) and then forgets all about her a few minutes later. The viewer will not have that luxury.
One for Kay Francis fans!
JohnHowardReid13 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Copyright 14 October 1946 by Monogram Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 2 November 1946. U.K. release through Pathé: 1 September 1947. Australian release through British Empire Films: 17 July 1947. 8 reels. 6,634 feet. 73 minutes.
U.K. release title: SHADOW OF BLACKMAIL.
SYNOPSIS: A lonely hearts club is used as a front for extortion and blackmail.
NOTES: Kay Francis retired permanently from the screen after this one, though she did appear in two TV episodes in the early 50's. She died in 1968. COMMENT: Produced by Miss Francis herself and Jeffrey Bernerd, Wife Wanted is a lively, well-produced programmer with a top-rate cast, including Paul Cavanagh who renders an especially edgy and forceful performance as a very smooth and totally unscrupulous villain. On the other hand, Robert Shayne seems a bit strained as the romantic lead.
Phil Karlson's direction always comes over as admirably slick and the film itself has a surface gloss usually missing in Monogram productions (thanks no doubt to the extra cash provided by Miss Francis). The script maintains interest well, although the conclusion remains disappointingly tame.
U.K. release title: SHADOW OF BLACKMAIL.
SYNOPSIS: A lonely hearts club is used as a front for extortion and blackmail.
NOTES: Kay Francis retired permanently from the screen after this one, though she did appear in two TV episodes in the early 50's. She died in 1968. COMMENT: Produced by Miss Francis herself and Jeffrey Bernerd, Wife Wanted is a lively, well-produced programmer with a top-rate cast, including Paul Cavanagh who renders an especially edgy and forceful performance as a very smooth and totally unscrupulous villain. On the other hand, Robert Shayne seems a bit strained as the romantic lead.
Phil Karlson's direction always comes over as admirably slick and the film itself has a surface gloss usually missing in Monogram productions (thanks no doubt to the extra cash provided by Miss Francis). The script maintains interest well, although the conclusion remains disappointingly tame.
Monogram has never looked more lavish!
mark.waltz11 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
"Wavishing" Kay Francis is still striking to look at in her last film, even if stills from this movie make her look older than she actually comes off. Having searched for this film forever, I wasn't expecting much, having heard it was probably the weakest of her three Monogram films, the other two being "Divorce" (her as a home wrecker) and "Allotment Wives" (head of a crime ring), and here playing the heroine as she had been cast for years at Warner Brothers where at one time, she was the highest paid star there, and thus, their biggest, even if box office results weren't always tops.
The problem with "Wife Wanted" is its messy plot line involving a lonely heart's club racket with murder in its method. Kay is blackmailed into becoming a part of it and sets up her "employers" for a fall. Taking in "drama queen" Teala Loring, Francis becomes the target of the boss's cynical secretary (Veda Ann Borg in a delightful hard-boiled performance) while Loring contemplates suicide every time Francis is out of her very lavish art deco apartment. Loring is so over the top that at times, she doesn't seem real at all, sort of reminding me of the Phyllis Brooks character from "The Seventh Victim" with pretty much everything other than the scary hairstyle.
Made with just a touch of "noir", "Wife Wanted" is a curiosity piece simply because of its rarity and its place in the career of Ms. Francis who was too busy with theater after this was made to consider returning to film at this point and for some reason, never did. I consider this the weakest of her three Monogram films because of its convoluted structure. The three films are among the best looking of Monogram's movies, mainly because the producer was a former "A" list movie star whose name alone stood for fashion and style.
The problem with "Wife Wanted" is its messy plot line involving a lonely heart's club racket with murder in its method. Kay is blackmailed into becoming a part of it and sets up her "employers" for a fall. Taking in "drama queen" Teala Loring, Francis becomes the target of the boss's cynical secretary (Veda Ann Borg in a delightful hard-boiled performance) while Loring contemplates suicide every time Francis is out of her very lavish art deco apartment. Loring is so over the top that at times, she doesn't seem real at all, sort of reminding me of the Phyllis Brooks character from "The Seventh Victim" with pretty much everything other than the scary hairstyle.
Made with just a touch of "noir", "Wife Wanted" is a curiosity piece simply because of its rarity and its place in the career of Ms. Francis who was too busy with theater after this was made to consider returning to film at this point and for some reason, never did. I consider this the weakest of her three Monogram films because of its convoluted structure. The three films are among the best looking of Monogram's movies, mainly because the producer was a former "A" list movie star whose name alone stood for fashion and style.
It's too bad that Francis' last film wasn't better.
planktonrules2 November 2018
During the 1930s, Kay Francis was a huge star...particularly with Warner Brothers. However, tastes are fickle and by the 1940s, she was mostly appearing in second-rate films. So, the fact that her final movie was for tiny Monogram Studio is no surprise. And, the fact that the movie is just barely okay also is no surprise given the sort of pictures Monogram generally made!
Carole Raymond (Francis) is an actress who has seen better days. Her roles now are few and far between. Despite this she is comfortable and her life seems good...though she is headed for disaster. Why? Because her new business partner with the Friendship Club is a swindler and has been using the matchmaking service to blackmail money out of its members! She only figures this out when one of her dates through the service informs her that they are swindlers...and only moments later, he falls to his death! Of course he's been murdered but Carole is a bit dim and doesn't necessarily know how to put two and two together. And, when she confronts the partner about his crimes, he freely admits it and promises to take her down with him if she goes to the police. Oddly, she agrees to keep her mouth shut...all the while looking for some evidence she can use to prove her innocence and his guilt.
This film has a huge weakness in that MOST people would simply go to the police....and Carole's not doing this seems weak and silly. Additionally, the plot just seems slight and is not the sort of thing a star like Francis deserved. Watchable but flawed.
Carole Raymond (Francis) is an actress who has seen better days. Her roles now are few and far between. Despite this she is comfortable and her life seems good...though she is headed for disaster. Why? Because her new business partner with the Friendship Club is a swindler and has been using the matchmaking service to blackmail money out of its members! She only figures this out when one of her dates through the service informs her that they are swindlers...and only moments later, he falls to his death! Of course he's been murdered but Carole is a bit dim and doesn't necessarily know how to put two and two together. And, when she confronts the partner about his crimes, he freely admits it and promises to take her down with him if she goes to the police. Oddly, she agrees to keep her mouth shut...all the while looking for some evidence she can use to prove her innocence and his guilt.
This film has a huge weakness in that MOST people would simply go to the police....and Carole's not doing this seems weak and silly. Additionally, the plot just seems slight and is not the sort of thing a star like Francis deserved. Watchable but flawed.
News not ewes
AAdaSC15 January 2012
Kay Francis (Carole) is an actress who is getting no parts and is persuaded to invest in real estate by Paul Cavanagh (Caldwell) so that he can use her wealthy connections. However, she is soon drawn into his other side-racket which involves blackmailing wealthy clients as they join a dating agency. Francis has no option as Cavanagh has set her up as the guilty party in the murder of Barton Yarborough (Walter Desmond) and he holds this over her. Journalist Robert Shayne (Bill Tyler) is suspicious and joins the agency to solve the mystery of the dead man and meets with Francis.
The film is rushed in parts, for example, the ending just happens all of a sudden. That's that. The film is also, sadly, a bit boring. It starts well but then just gets a bit confusing and dull. The best of the cast is evil Veda Ann Borg (Nola) who plays Cavanagh's partner and heads the dating agency racket. We needed far more from her and far less from Teala Loring (Mildred), a victim of the agency scam, who is appalling. This woman can not act. And it's great when she falls down the stairs. The story has an interesting premise that could have been so much better.
The film is rushed in parts, for example, the ending just happens all of a sudden. That's that. The film is also, sadly, a bit boring. It starts well but then just gets a bit confusing and dull. The best of the cast is evil Veda Ann Borg (Nola) who plays Cavanagh's partner and heads the dating agency racket. We needed far more from her and far less from Teala Loring (Mildred), a victim of the agency scam, who is appalling. This woman can not act. And it's great when she falls down the stairs. The story has an interesting premise that could have been so much better.
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