Kay Francis is at the top of her form in Man Wanted, William Dieterle’s pre-Code romantic melodrama, about a married magazine editor who hires a handsome male secretary, played David Manners.
Grade: B- (** out of *****)
| Man Wanted | |
|---|---|
Spanish theatrical release poster
|
|
The film features two great character actors, Una Merkel and Andy Devine, in supporting roles.
Francis plays Lois Ames, the editor of 400 Magazine, whose wealthy husband, Fred (Kenneth Thomson), is too busy with his interests in polo and partying to pay any attention to her.
When her personal secretary (Elizabeth Patterson) can no longer take the heavy duty work, Lois hires Tom Sherman (David Manners), a handsomer who happens to come by the office to demonstrate a rowing machine.
Tom makes himself indispensable to Lois, and their long hours together lead to a love affair, causing jealousy from his fiancée Ruth Holman (Una Merkel).
Tom’s roommate, Andy Doyle (Andy Devine), uses Tom’s absences and Ruth’s distress to romance Ruth himself.
Meanwhile, Lois’s husband Fred, is having an affair of his own with Anna Le Maire (Claire Dodd). Lois finds out when she discovers a key to Anna’s room in his vest pocket; nothing is said, but Fred is aware of Lois’ knowledge of his infidelity.
On Tom’s last day of work, Lois keeps him busy late, and he misses a dinner engagement with Ruth and Andy. Ruth storms into the office, threatening to tell Fred about the affair.
In the end, Ruth breaks her engagement with Tom and threatens to marry Andy, and Tom asks Lois to marry him.
Man Wanted was the first film that Kay Francis made for Warner, beginning a contract with the studio.
Working titles before released: “A Dangerous Brunette,” “Working Wives,” “Pleasure First.”
Produced before the advent of the Production Code, the movie deals with adultery, an issue that became a taboo after 1934, unless the adulterous were “punished.”
Cast
Kay Francis as Lois Ames
David Manners as Thomas Sherman
Una Merkel as Ruth Holman
Andy Devine as Andy Doyle
Kenneth Thomson as Fred Ames
Claire Dodd as Ann Le Maire
Elizabeth Patterson as Miss Harper
Edward Van Sloan as Mr. Walters
Frank Coghlan, Jr. as youngster in store
Credits
Directed by William Dieterle
Written by Robert Lord (story), Charles Kenyon (adaptation)
Produced by Hal B. Wallis (uncredited)
Cinematography Gregg Toland
Edited by James Gibbon
Music by Bernhard Kaun
Production company: Warner Bros.
Release date: April 23, 1932
Running time: 63 minutes
