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Trouble in Paradise, 1932
In this screwball comedy, conwoman Lily (Miriam Hopkins) meets and falls for conman Gaston (Herbert Marshall) and the two of them become literal partners in crime. After a scam involving stealing an expensive purse from the wealthy Mariette (Kay Francis), Gaston and then Lily find their way into Mariette’s employ with the ultimate goal of robbing her of a huge sum of money. But their plan hits unforeseen complications when Gaston begins to fall for Mariette.
Easy, breezy, and full of a great cast of characters, this is a delightful caper.
There are a lot of ways that a plot like this one could have gone wrong, but the writing and performance of the characters keeps everything moving like a well-oiled machine. The playful banter and thoroughly criminal-minded interactions between Lily and Gaston are as sparkling as you would expect, but the real key to making the story work is the character of Mariette.
Kay Francis is absolutely wonderful in this movie, and she keeps Mariette on this wonderful line between naive and knowing that is essential for both sides of the story to work. Mariette is a fun person, but she is also the kind of rich person who can literally afford not to keep a strong eye on her money. She trusts the people who manage her money, and while we can recognize this as a danger to her bank account, it’s not done in a way that makes her look stupid. This softens the blow a bit when it comes to the planned robbery, as we know that even if Gaston and Lily make off with bags of money and jewels, Mariette will be just fine from a financial standpoint.
But on the romantic side of things, the film wisely makes Mariette a self-assured woman who can go toe-to-toe with Gaston when it comes to the game of seduction and keeps the romance and attraction genuine. This is the part of the plot that could have felt unkind: if Mariette were some totally innocent waif being seduced just for the purposes of helping to steal her cash. (And, yeah, of course Gaston is the kind of person who would do something that mean, but not in this case, which I suppose is what counts!). It’s Mariette’s total delight in her developing relationship with Gaston and her unashamed pursuit of him that gives the film its zip. It’s also this aspect that lends Lily’s jealousy and the fracturing of her relationship with Gaston some actual heft.
On the whole, this film is just filled to the brim with everything you expect and want from a good screwball comedy. Entendres fly left and right, along with open, laughing flirtation. There are lots of little gags, such as a sequence where many hopefuls line up to claim the posted reward for returning Mariette’s stolen purse. The film adds both comedy and tension to the plot by having one of Meriette’s suitors, Francois (Edward Everett Horton) be a man who was previously scammed by Gaston.
And while the film isn’t exactly heavy on social commentary, there are several nods to the idea that the wealthy are able to get away with many crimes and indiscretions without fear of being caught or jailed. While it’s a ploy to earn Mariette’s trust and sympathy, Gaston speaks of being financially disadvantaged because of the stock market crash and other factors. The film, via Gaston, points out that far more cash is taken by “inside” conmen than could ever be robbed by himself and Lily.
A lot of fun. Kay Francis is an absolute gem.
Trouble in Paradise, 1932
In this screwball comedy, conwoman Lily (Miriam Hopkins) meets and falls for conman Gaston (Herbert Marshall) and the two of them become literal partners in crime. After a scam involving stealing an expensive purse from the wealthy Mariette (Kay Francis), Gaston and then Lily find their way into Mariette’s employ with the ultimate goal of robbing her of a huge sum of money. But their plan hits unforeseen complications when Gaston begins to fall for Mariette.
Easy, breezy, and full of a great cast of characters, this is a delightful caper.
There are a lot of ways that a plot like this one could have gone wrong, but the writing and performance of the characters keeps everything moving like a well-oiled machine. The playful banter and thoroughly criminal-minded interactions between Lily and Gaston are as sparkling as you would expect, but the real key to making the story work is the character of Mariette.
Kay Francis is absolutely wonderful in this movie, and she keeps Mariette on this wonderful line between naive and knowing that is essential for both sides of the story to work. Mariette is a fun person, but she is also the kind of rich person who can literally afford not to keep a strong eye on her money. She trusts the people who manage her money, and while we can recognize this as a danger to her bank account, it’s not done in a way that makes her look stupid. This softens the blow a bit when it comes to the planned robbery, as we know that even if Gaston and Lily make off with bags of money and jewels, Mariette will be just fine from a financial standpoint.
But on the romantic side of things, the film wisely makes Mariette a self-assured woman who can go toe-to-toe with Gaston when it comes to the game of seduction and keeps the romance and attraction genuine. This is the part of the plot that could have felt unkind: if Mariette were some totally innocent waif being seduced just for the purposes of helping to steal her cash. (And, yeah, of course Gaston is the kind of person who would do something that mean, but not in this case, which I suppose is what counts!). It’s Mariette’s total delight in her developing relationship with Gaston and her unashamed pursuit of him that gives the film its zip. It’s also this aspect that lends Lily’s jealousy and the fracturing of her relationship with Gaston some actual heft.
On the whole, this film is just filled to the brim with everything you expect and want from a good screwball comedy. Entendres fly left and right, along with open, laughing flirtation. There are lots of little gags, such as a sequence where many hopefuls line up to claim the posted reward for returning Mariette’s stolen purse. The film adds both comedy and tension to the plot by having one of Meriette’s suitors, Francois (Edward Everett Horton) be a man who was previously scammed by Gaston.
And while the film isn’t exactly heavy on social commentary, there are several nods to the idea that the wealthy are able to get away with many crimes and indiscretions without fear of being caught or jailed. While it’s a ploy to earn Mariette’s trust and sympathy, Gaston speaks of being financially disadvantaged because of the stock market crash and other factors. The film, via Gaston, points out that far more cash is taken by “inside” conmen than could ever be robbed by himself and Lily.
A lot of fun. Kay Francis is an absolute gem.