Rich Man, Poor Girl

Mild social commentary comedy drama is of more interest for its cast than the rather facile situations it presents. A bread and butter feature of the kind that all the studios churned out to fill a double bill and feature their stable of promising newcomers and reliable character actors this one is packed full of actors and actresses that went on to better things.

Without a doubt the person who made the biggest splash following this is Lana Turner in her nascent phase here. She's sweet, still a brunette and full of the dewy youth and kittenish sexuality she exuded in the early phase of her career before changing into a harder article after The Postman Always Rings Twice, not fully in the spotlight but definitely holding the screen. The other person who would emerge with a major career is Robert Young but he'd have to wade through years as a second string leading man before hitting the top in TV. He's competent and charming as ever but his character isn't too clearly defined. Another fine performer-Ruth Hussey, still a few years away from The Philadelphia Story, isn't really given a very strong character either for someone who is supposed to be the lead but she is an appealing presence as always.

For the supporting cast the always reliable Guy Kibbee is on hand as Ruth's kind father and the ill-fated Rita Johnson is saucy as Young's sister. The standout in support however and not in a good way is Lew Ayers jackass cousin Henry. Through no fault of the actor the character grates every second he's on the screen and it's only because of Ayer's natural charm that he is even mildly bearable.

The picture is in no way special but still worth catching once for seeing the type of quality cast Metro was able to assemble for even the most ordinary script.