I love this movie. I could watch it over and over, back to back and not get tired of it (I have). I realize my taste in old movies differs quite widely from many people and so most likely others would not be quite so enthusiastic as I am over this film. But it's one of my more recent personal favorites. I discovered this gem on Youtube several months ago. I don't know if it's still online, but I did an evil thing and downloaded each video to my computer so I could watch it through iTunes whenever I wanted. But yesterday it was on TCM and my mom taped it for me, so now I can watch it on a real live television!
This film is about a girl named Mimi Swift (Myrna Loy) who is infatuated with this guy Alan Wythe (Walter Pidgeon) who is a bit of a playboy. Mimi has a pretty amazing mom (Nana Bryant) and a close family friend named Jimmy Kilmartin (Franchot Tone) who she doesn't realize is really the best friend she's ever had (not until the end of the film, that is). She thinks she's in love with Alan and she's going to do all she can to nab him, even after he's married (to Rosalind Russell). Jimmy and Meg Swift (her mother) know she is going to get herself hurt and tries to stop her, but she won't hear any of it. My favorite part about this film is the relationship between Mimi and her mother. They just seem to get along so perfectly together. And of course it doesn't hurt to have lots of lovely clothes, a cute cozy home (I love that plaid couch and the square cushions!) and of course a happy ending. It's the perfect movie to put me in good spirits. Does the trick every time. I don't think it's available on DVD, but watch for it on TCM, they play it every now and then. If you are into old films as much as I am, this one is sure to become one of your favorites.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE old movies just like you, but sometimes feel a little odd because I never really meet anyone else who seems to be into them-except new films. I can relate to what you've written because when I was 19 (which has been awhile) I was reading Myrna Loy's autobiography, which I took one day into my college (freshman) English class--my instructor passed by my row (passing out papers or something) and saw my book on my desk and asked why someone my "age" would be reading a book about this person who was clearly not from my time period. After she said that-it just reaffirmed that I probably liked a lot of things that most people didn't and I felt a little strange about that. Things haven't really changed since then, but now because of blogging etc...I realize there are others just like me (younger-older) who like old movies, vintage clothes, vintage patterns,reading....and there are many of us and we aren't strange,weird or odd. Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to write this and to say thanks for having written this today.
Anna, my DV-R drive consistently has at least 50% of its memory filled with old movies I've recorded off of TCM or my local PBS stations. I go back to them all the time as they not only make me laugh, or cry, but also give me a warm feeling in my heart.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are Astaire and Rogers, Cary Grant, Kate Hepburn, Myrna Loy and Bill Powell in the Thin Man films, Meet Me in St. Louis... I could go on and on... I think I've seen Man-Proof, but now I really need to see it again.
They really don't make them like they used to!
I love LOVE man proof!
ReplyDeleteI love old movies, I'm super into silent films... nice pick! xo m
This looks like a gem I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for! I love these sorts of more obscure/forgotten films from the 30s and 40s. I have to admit they end up being favorites a lot of the time. ;) hehe.
ReplyDelete♥ Casey | blog
Sounds wonderful. I miss old films. I want to see this one! :) ~Kate (Your sis, haha)
ReplyDeletehey all, thank you for your comments!! i love it when others are also excited about old films. i'm so obsessed, it's embarrassing at times how much i know about old films.
ReplyDeletekatie! we need to watch man-proof together next time you are in town! we can have a girl night and pop some corn. :) i think you'll like this one!
I caught this film on TCM this summer and LOVED it. Myrna Loy is one of my favorite actresses, and I've been on a 1930s film kick lately. It's always nice to run into people who appreciate old movies.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that the best friends/best matches for mistaken women in old films are always named Jimmy? :)
ReplyDeleteI'm watching this now, and am loving it. :)
-Kate
oh i had missed this post ...
ReplyDeleteme too, me too !
and i love all these b&w of the same decade ! we had a program on the french TV in the 90ies called "cinéma de minuit" every weekend where they played entire cycles of american b&w movies and i was a fan !
I also love this movie. Franchot Tone is just wonderful--and it is such a MGM gem. Wish it was longer. want it on DVD
ReplyDeleteI am Looking for the movie Man-Proof high and low! If you find it or find a copy of it, or find someone who has it, please post it on your site/blog! I will be checking for it! Thanks! Love Myrna Loy and Franchot Tone!
ReplyDeleteFor anyone wondering, you can watch Man-Proof here (hopefully the link works): http://vk.com/video-18454485_159117392
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites!
I really want to see this movie but I can't find it anywhere! I tried the link http://vk.com/video-18454485_159117392 but it just tells me that I need to be a member of the group in order to watch the videos, and I don't know how to do that :( Can someone please post it somewhere like Dailymotion or something? I'd appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteJasmine A,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately this is the only place I've been able to find it. It's really easy to get an account on VK.com and if it's not in english, there is a little link at the bottom of the page that you can click. It's just like Facebook. I saw this movie on youtube once, but can't seem to find it anymore. :/ I hope you can see it somehow, it's one of my favorites!
Just wanted to pop by and say I always come back to your old posts around this time of the year. I have been reading your blog since almost the beginning but never actually wrote to you directly. I think you were the reason why I gave myself a permision to start sewing (just a beginner here)...But I wanted to thank you. Also missing your lifetime kind of posts. Greetings from the middle of Europe and once again...thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat is so kind of you to say! I do miss blogging as well. Life has been a bit crazy lately, but I would love to get back into posting more regularly. Hopefully I will! Thanks again for your lovely comment! :)
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