The Bride Wore Red

CinemaSerf 3/6/2024 3:03:53PM 8.4

George Zucco is the wealthy "Count Armalia" who takes a shine to cabaret singer "Anni" (Joan Crawford) and in rather "Pygmalion" style decides to dress her in ermines and pearls and see if she can survive for a fortnight in an exclusive hotel where she is to pose as a socialite. Luckily, she discovers that her old pal "Marta" (Mary Philips) is to serve as her personal maid, but the rest of this is going to be quite a challenge. She knows that in two weeks the rags will return, so a husband needs to be found. She has two choices: the wealthy "Rudi" (Robert Young) or the simple postman "Giulio" (Franchot Tone). As the time elapses, she finds her decision is increasingly more about love or money. Or is it money or love? It does border a little on the melodrama, this - but Crawford is on good form as is Young and (sparingly) Billie Burke as the meddlesome "Contessa". Even the usually all smiling but wooden Tone turns in quite engagingly. The narrative also has a fun swing at the vacuous lives of these pampered people who spend their time on pointless pursuits whilst keenly awaiting an opportunity to stab someone in the back! It's not really a film that you are likely to recall, but there are a couple of songs here from a star who proves that she can hold a note or two and it's got loads of glamour too.