The Golden Arrow (1936)

The Golden Arrow is a movie most enjoyed by the older baby boomers and their parents (if still alive). This movie is basically a romantic comedy. I watched it because Bette Davis was in it. Well, it is not the typical Bette Davis that I remembered. This Bette Davis is a flirtatious, somewhat comical Bette Davis and not the drama queen. Overall, the Golden Arrow moves quickly; and one can also get immersed into the story fairly quickly. The Golden Arrow is a short film. It is a cute film and will make you smile. The Golden Arrow is entertainment. For just over an hour's worth of time, the film provides lighthearted fun. It is perfect for fill in time when you are ready early and are waiting for a ride. I give it three thumbs up.

I knew nothing of this movie before starting to watch it however within minutes it became quickly apparent that she is surrounded by a cast below her league and I began to wonder if this was Bette Davis's last Warner Bros picture which indeed it was.Prickly, fastidious Bette Davis knew her own worth and while other stars - see Rosalind Russel in "The Women" - could clown as well as be serious, Davis's haughtiness and seriousness about her craft made this an absolute no no. Here amiable George Brent was no "A List" star and some of the support is decidedly mediocre. In the movie she has longish exchanges with, and must submit to being I think playfully slapped on the back by, an actor some leagues below her. She was an actress who could and did frequently signal boredom and distaste when the plot has her in substandard company. In terms of fellow cast it is clear that she is here but the script demands that she doesn't indicate or feel that. As a viewer I thought the movie was more than she could - or deserved to - take. That Warners did not see that is curious. Perhaps their sense hitherto of owning, contractually, their stars who had to do what they were told. Perhaps it is hindsight - what the world came to know later of her character and talent. "Now Voyager" has her cast as a drab - she was not vain about her appearance, but in that, cast with the superbly charming, intelligent talented Claude Raines she had a part and co-star equally worthy of her talent. She was surely right to demand that the parts and co-stars matched her own high standards. Classic movies fully worthy of her talent were the result.

This is an EXCELLENT example of early Bette Davis talent. The production is above average for 1936 timeframe. I cannot understand why the owners of the rights to this film have not put it on DVD. Owners, PLEASE PLEASE release it. I would buy it immediately. I have not seen it in more than thirty years, on television, but remember it well.

Bette Davis plays a woman who is pretending to be an heiress to a cosmetic company, Daisy Appleby. George Brent plays Johnny Jones, a reporter. They become friends, and she convinces him to enter into a marriage of convenience. Her - to keep away fortune hunters, Him - to have finances to write his book. He is expected to play to her every whim, and appear in all the newspapers. Not liking this, he cosies up to Hortense, daughter of an oil tycoon, who informs him that Daisy is not all she seems. I don't really know alot about Bette Davis, but this is a delightful comedy, mostly due to the timing of both lead actors, and Bette Davis' facial expressions. She really does have expressive eyes, doesn't she?