Gem of a comedy and love story
"Hands Across the Table" is one hilarious gem of a movie and a fine love story. Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray were paired in four films in the 1930s. This was the first of three comedies, and they really click in all three. Lombard died in a 1942 plane crash returning to California from a war bond appearance. At 33, she had become the highest paid entertainer in Hollywood by the end of the 1930s. She was a super talent with prospects for many years of wonderful films.Lombard could play dramatic roles and mystery-thrillers as well as comedy. But, comedy was her forte. In all her films with various leading men, she seems to bring the best out of her male co- stars as well. She was getting top billing for most of her films, as she has in this film. And, in her lead role here, Lombard has some fine dramatic moments as Regi Allen, a woman in love. So, this film is a step above a comedy romance.
MacMurray shines with a peppy, lively and very funny role as Theodore Drew III. The 27-year-old MacMurray has twinkles in his eyes and frequent smiles on this face. He laughs often and leads Regi and others to laugh as well. This is a fine look at the talented actor who would develop a more reticent and dour persona for humor in later life.
A very good small supporting cast contributes nicely to the humor. Ralph Bellamy's Allen Macklyn is a wealthy resident of the hotel who has been confined to a wheelchair since a plane accident four years before. His role fills out a love triangle with Regi and Ted. Ruth Donnelly plays Laura, the beauty shop receptionist. Marie Prevost, who plays Regi's manicurist friend, Nona, had a long career in silent films. She got her start in 1915 and appeared in more than 100 films. But, a little over a year after this film came out, Prevost died of extreme malnutrition and alcoholism. She was just 38 years old.
This is one of the great 1930s comedies that is a must for any movie library. Like most of the other films of that time and genre, it is good viewing for the whole family.
Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more funny dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Laura, "1502's been phoning for a manicure since 8:30." Regi Allen, "1502? Up where the rich live. Who is it?" Laura, "A Mr. Macklyn." Regi, "Married?" Laura, "That makes two things I forgot to ask him on the phone - what he had for breakfast and whether he's married or not. "
Nona, "1502 is really an awful lucky number for you. Five and one is six, and six and two are eight."
Allen Macklyn, "Some people play golf to pass the time, some go in for tap dancing, some destroy clay pigeons. I have manicures."
Allen Macklyn, "Would you care for a drink, Miss Allen?" Regi Allen, "Oh, no. The day's just started." Allen Macklyn, "What a fresh point of view. To me, the night's just ended."
Theodore Drew III, after Regi's manicure job has drawn blood on a few of his fingers, "Are you doing anything tonight? Would you mind feeding me? I'm... I'm afraid I'm going to have to have a nurse."
Regi Allen, "Do you dream?" Ted Drew, "No." Regi Allen, "You should. You meet a better class of people."
Regi Allen, "You must have a lot of friends that could give you a job." Ted Drew, "That'd be a fine friend who'd give you a job. No friend of mine had better try anything like that on me."
score 9/10
SimonJack 6 November 2014
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3118565/35636
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