The Bride Came C.O.D. is only one in a large group of movies that feature that commonality of the 1930's: the madcap heiress. This time it's Bette Davis as the heiress, thinking she's on her way to wed Jack Carson, in the role of a popular playboy/bandleader. The bride is separated from her potential bridegroom by Jimmy Cagney, a pilot trying not to lose his airplane to creditors. The pilot makes a deal with the heiress' father to hijack the bride and prevent the wedding, with the promise of cash on delivery coming from the oil man father.
It's all pretty cut and dried until they crash in the desert and get to know each other. It being a comedy from the 1940's, you can guess what happens next.
This movie isn't the best example of Bette Davis' amazing acting ability, but Jimmy Cagney carries the film so adeptly you won't mind. There's also the usual supporting cast of wonderful character actors (probably the best thing that ever came out of the studio system: character actors that show up in all your favorite movies). Eugene Pallette, George Tobias, Harry Davenport, and William Frawley all provide plenty to like about this movie. Throw in some nifty old planes and cars, a musical score by Max Steiner, and you'll have an hour and a half of classic comedic fulfillment.
No comments:
Post a Comment