The Bride Walks Out ** (1936, Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond, Robert Young, Ned Sparks, Helen Broderick) – Classic Movie Review 6761

The 1936 American romantic comedy film The Bride Walks Out is directed by Leigh Jason, and stars Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond, and Robert Young.

Barbara Stanwyck adds impactful oomph to director Leigh Jason’s gossamer-thin, formulaic RKO Radio Pictures 1936 Depression-era comedy confection as the bride of the title who cannot stand poverty with poor, sulky husband Gene Raymond, so she walks out with idle rich man Robert Young.

Stanwyck plays fashion model Carolyn and poor, proud, misguided Michael Martin makes quit her job when they marry. But Carolyn gets a secret new job when she finds Michael cannot make ends meet, and then she meets handsome Hugh McKenzie (Young).

Will love or money triumph? Well, what do you think? The clue is that this dated, faded film is riddled with creaky, old-fashioned values, so the ending is an obvious predictable let-down. Talking of old-fashioned values, note Hattie McDaniel playing Carolyn’s maid Mamie.

P J Wolfson and Philip G Epstein’s amiable screenplay, with its waspish dialogue, offers good opportunities for all the cast (particularly Ned Sparks and wise-cracking Helen Broderick), apart from Raymond who is stuck with such a dreary role and gives a suitably dull performance. Stanwyck is good and strong, but the film is stretched, even at this short running time of 81 minutes, and it is hard to get over Raymond giving such a flop turn.

Also in the cast are Anita Colby, Vivian Oakland, Willie Best, Robert Warwick, Billy Gilbert, Eddie Dunn, Ward Bond, Edgar Dearing, Wade Boteler and Hattie McDaniel.

Based on an original story by Howard Emmett Rogers, it is the first of six films that producer Edward Small made at RKO.

The Bride Walks Out is directed by Leigh Jason, runs 81 minutes, is released by RKO Radio Pictures, is written by P J Wolfson and Philip G Epstein, based on an original story by Howard Emmett Rogers, is shot in black and white by J Roy Hunt, is produced by Edward Small, is scored by Roy Webb, and designed by Van Nest Polglase and Al Herman.

The cast are Barbara Stanwyck as Carolyn Martin, Gene Raymond as Michael Martin, Robert Young as Hugh McKenzie, Ned Sparks as Paul Dodson, Helen Broderick as Mattie Dodson, Willie Best as Smokie, Robert Warwick as Mr McKenzie, Billy Gilbert as Mr. Donovan, Wade Boteler as Field Engineer, Hattie McDaniel as Carolyn’s Maid, Anita Colby, Vivian Oakland, Eddie Dunn, Ward Bond, and Edgar Dearing.

It cost $289,000, earned $670,000, but still only made a profit of $164,000.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6761

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