The Mad Miss Manton

1938
A
1h 20m

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

YOUR RATING

Henry Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck, and Sam Levene in The Mad Miss Manton (1938)

Play trailer2:26

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43 Photos

Screwball Comedy Comedy Mystery

After the murdered body discovered by beautiful, vivacious socialite Melsa Manton disappears, police and press label her a prankster until she proves them wrong.After the murdered body discovered by beautiful, vivacious socialite Melsa Manton disappears, police and press label her a prankster until she proves them wrong.After the murdered body discovered by beautiful, vivacious socialite Melsa Manton disappears, police and press label her a prankster until she proves them wrong.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

User reviews49

Featured review

8/10

Wonderful Fonda-Stanwyk vehicle!

I think this may be Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck's first movie together and sparks fly. The dialog is fast and witty. The actual mystery shown in the movie is irrelevant. If you like films from the 30's and have already seen the classics such as The Lady Eve and Palm Beach Story, then definitely see this. I wish Henry Fonda had done more comedy but he makes up for lost time here. Unlike The Lady Eve, where he is primarily the straight man (with terrific physical comedy), in the Mad Miss Manton he gives as good as he gets with his leading lady. I don't know why this movie doesn't get more attention. I think it is a lot funnier than "The Male Animal". For another comedic effort of Fonda's, watch Tales of Manhattan. He has a gem of a scene with Ginger Rogers.

dpastor
May 15, 2005
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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Supporting player Vickie Lester took her name from Janet Gaynor's character in A Star Is Born (1937). Unfortunately, she never achieved stardom and, after only a handful of films, she retired from the silver screen and opened a dress shop selling original gowns of her own design.

Goofs
When Melsa first calls the police at the beginning, the police cars are rushing to the Lane mansion. As they pass "Jones Drug Co" and "Barber Shop", the signs are backwards indicating the film has been flipped over.

Quotes
Melsa Manton: [storms into the room and slaps the first man she sees] Are you Peter Ames?
Peter's Secretary: No...
Peter Ames: But I am...
Melsa Manton: [Slaps Peter]
Peter Ames: [Slaps Melsa] To complete the circle.

Crazy credits
During the opening credits, a flashlight lights up each page of credits.

Connections
Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda (1978)

Soundtracks
Home on the Range
Music by Daniel E. Kelley (1904)
Lyrics by Brewster M. Higley (as Brewster 'Bruce' Higley) (1873)
Sung a cappella by James Burke