Post by rmichaelpyle on Mar 26, 2009 4:59:27 GMT -6
I found it interesting last week that TCM would play all six of their films they released in the third volume of "Forbidden Hollywood" in one night. But they did! The next day I received the volume in the mail! Made me wonder why I didn't just record the films and save my money. Anyway, last night I watched "The Purchase Price" (1932) with Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent. The film is a stretch for both of them as far as theme is concerned! In fact, Brent was not only a stretch, but just frankly - out there! The movie is about Stanwyck being the affection of bootlegger and gangster Lyle Talbot in New York, and she wants to disassociate herself from him to try to have a real life. She begins by being engaged to Hardie Albright, but Albright's father in the film finds out she has the connection with Lyle Talbot by hiring detectives and threatens Albright's character in some way, probably taking the money away, and Albright calls off the engagement. Well, Stanwyck moves to Montreal, Canada (none of the scenes are very genuine here) and finally, after her cleaning lady pulls some shenanigans, ends up the bargain of a mail-order marriage. Stanwyck goes to North Dakota as a Depression wheat farmer's wife - and the movie begins... This is the story of how Brent and Stanwyck genuinely fall in love. It's extremely well acted and fun, but very, very far-fetched. It has its definite moments of pre-code filmic visual gems: there are endless moments of Stanwyck in her underwear, all which play towards the theme of this film, by the way. There are several references, especially near the beginning, of co-habitation without marriage between the sexes, something very risque at that time. I'm glad I've finally seen this film; it's been on my list for several years. Would I run to see it? Well, if you're a lover of the early years of sound film, it's always a great pleasure to see Miss Stanwyck in simply anything! She's my favorite actress, and this one just goes to show you that she could act in anything at all and still be great - and that's the operative word - great!
