She's Got Everything
               
Director: Joseph Santley
Year: 1937
Rating: 6.0
RKO was keeping Ann Sothern busy in 1937. Seven films - all basically moderately budgeted romantic comedies - that did all right at the box office but didn't set any fires. When her contract ran out at RKO, she signed with MGM and began the Maisie series for which she is probably best known. Apparently, that was going to be given to Jean Harlow but after Harlow died in 1937, they found another blonde. Sothern had initially signed with Columbia and between that studio and RKO she has a long list of films that I have never heard of. She never made it to the Bette Davis-Joan Crawford level, but her films are good light fun and I have liked everyone I have come across. Not sure how many of these early films have survived. RKO teamed her up with Gene Raymond five times, so someone thought they were a good match. He takes up space as far as I am concerned - not bad, not good - just space. A pretty face. Sothern runs rings around him. Besides this one, their other films are There Goes My Girl, Smartest Girl in Town, Walking On Air and Hooray For Love.



The light-hearted comedy works better here than the romance. Much of that is due to the presence of Victor Moore and Helen Broderick and their interactions together. Two pros who had worked together a few times - Swing Time, We're on the Jury, Meet the Missus - at RKO. In this same year Moore was to be in Make Way for Tomorrow at Paramount - perhaps the saddest film ever made. But generally, Moore just makes me laugh - just the sight of him always looking uncomfortable to be in his own skin and when he gets to babbling incoherently. He and Broderick - she is the tough take no guff broad - play off each other so well. Throw in a few other character actors - Billy Gilbert - and you have a screwy low-key comedy.



Sothern has returned from a long trip to Europe to find out that her father has died and was deeply in debt. The creditors are ravaging his house like grasshoppers taking everything that isn't too big to carry. Including moving her bed while she sleeps on it. She is broke. As is her aunt (Broderick) who tries talking her into marrying a wealthy South American. Sothern will have none of it. I want a job. Moore plays one of the creditors - a bookie - and he comes up with a plan to get his and a few other creditors their money back. He gets her a job with Raymond who owns a coffee company and lets nature take its place - with some help by a bunch of cupids who help throw this couple together and scare off any other competition.