Calm Yourself (1935)

Even a weaker B-movie like "Calm Yourself" is more entertaining to me than your average blockbuster of today. However, the humour is rather frantic and forced, as other reviewers have mentioned - plus that unfortunate blackface gag must bring the rating down.Madge Evans deserved to be a bigger star, and deserved better scripts than this one. I enjoy Robert Young in anything, but he plays a slightly less likable character here than usual. Preston (Young) comes across as rather callous in switching from one fiancée to another, even taking into account that this is standard behavior in screwball comedies. However, I did enjoy the fact that he made romantic doodles about both women...you know, the kind we usually see adolescent girls scribbling in movies, writing their names in combination with the names of their crush-object.My main beef is that Preston shows no qualms or regret about sabotaging the potential relationship between a father (Ralph Morgan) and daughter (Madge Evans), who don't know each other. Although initially working at the father's request (he's trying to keep his daughter away until he can muster the courage to tell his young second wife about the existence of a grown daughter - and thus, his real age), Preston goes a bit too far in deceiving both of them and badmouthing each one to the other...apparently for purely mercenary reasons. But of course it all works out in the end, and I'm definitely taking this silly movie too seriously! I should, ahem, calm myself.

Advertising executive Robert Young (as Preston "Pat" Patton) is fired from his job for kissing boss' daughter Madge Evans (as Mary Elizabeth Allenby). Taking a cue from his frequently uttered "Calm Yourself" motto, Mr. Young starts his own business, called "Confidential Services, Inc." Young explains, "Our large and versatile staff will pawn your jewels, send your strategic telegrams, hold your hand during operation, or do almost anything you ask." Just say "Calm Yourself" and allow Young to handle it, for a fee.Young gets off on the wrong track by delivering the wrong drunk to an overweight wife's bed. Next, he is hired to keep beautiful Madge Evans (as Rosalind) away from her father's new wife because rich old papa Ralph Morgan (as Kenneth S. Rockwell) has been passing himself off as a younger man. So, Young hires Ms. Evans as his secretary, allowing her to become involved in some comic misadventures. They also become romantic. A baby and a dog are added to the confusion. Everybody tries to remain calm.**** Calm Yourself (6/28/35) George B. Seitz ~ Robert Young, Madge Evans, Betty Furness, Ralph Morgan

This movie is carried on Robert Young's charm and youthful optimism that it will get him out of any jam, and into the land of milk and honey. Don't let the fact that the plot hinges on Young's character getting a millionaire's baby who just happened to be handed over by the baby's nurse, who looks more like street person than the nurse of a milionaire. The baby is given to his would be rival to Young's first girl friend, who happens to be the daughter of his boss. Young gets the baby because his fledgling business - Calm Yourself; takes on clients with such problems. Like what to do with a baby. If this sounds crazy, watch the movie. Its one of those movies that somehow can take the edge off a blustery day and bring in a little black and white sunshine.

This programmer's plot doesn't always make sense, but it is nonetheless an amusing way to spend an hour and 10 minutes. Young is appealing as always, but quite a bit scrappier than in his later, long-running TV roles as Jim Anderson and Marcus Welby. Evans also is very likable. With a supporting cast including such dependable 1930s performers as Nat Pendleton and Claude Gillingwater and future 'Today' regular Betty Furness, this breezy comedy is well worth a look.