Wife Wanted

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.

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.