Small Town Girl (1936)

Directed by William Wellman and featuring Janet Gaynor in the title role, a year before the two would collaborate on the first screen version of A Star is Born (1937), this slightly above average comedy romance drama also stars Robert Taylor. Ben Ames Williams's novel was scripted by John Lee Mahin and Edith Fitzgerald.The cast also includes Andy Devine as Gaynor's insufferable brother- in-law, Lewis Stone as Taylor's understanding father and retired surgeon (Nella Walker plays his wife), Elizabeth Patterson and Frank Craven as Gaynor's humble parents, James Stewart as the "small town boy" named Elmer (his fifth credited role) who hopes one day to marry Gaynor's character, Isabell Jewell as Gaynor's sister, and Charley Grapewin as Taylor's employer, Dr. Ned Fabre.In short order, the film gives a terrific sense of the tedium of small town life, or any life filled with the same predictable repartee. The story has Gaynor's character - bored Carvel resident Kay Brannan - whisked away by "a knight in shining armor", Taylor's overly charming and insistent Dr. Bob Dakin in a white convertible among black sedans passing through town in the traffic after the Harvard-Yale football game, for an evening's celebration at the town's (Tait's) Tavern. Their wild night results in both getting drunk, she for the first time, and later finding themselves in front of a justice of the peace, whereupon Kay's recollection of her humdrum existence allows her to somewhat consciously decide to marry the pleading bachelor, unaware that he was already engaged to a debutante more in his class, Priscilla Hyde (played by Binnie Barnes). When Bob "comes to", he learns of their "predicament" and insists his lawyer back in Boston can "fix" everything. She then learns (the full extent) of his wealth and stature, and of his engagement to "Pris", when they then drive to his home, his father's large estate.Bob thinks Kay deliberately hooked him, and perhaps she did (to get out of Carvel), but both agree to make the best of it for 6 months, until they can quietly divorce, to avoid a scandal. Pris agrees too, though somewhat reluctantly. Initially she goes abroad for a month or two but, when she returns, she expects to start seeing Bob discretely, but regularly. Meanwhile, to keep up appearances, Bob and Kay had gone on a honeymoon cruise aboard the family yacht, captained by Edgar Kennedy's character and stewarded by Chinese mate So-So (played by Willie Fung).During their trip, the married couple learned to stop fighting one another in private. But before it could develop into more, something that Kay clearly wished for, Bob cuts their voyage short to return to his medical practice in Boston. Bob's family and boss - Dr. Fabre - notice a change in him; he's matured (Bob seems to have finally noticed Kay as well) ... that is until Priscilla returns from her trip, and they resume their relationship. Under her influence, he returns to his irresponsible behavior and, later, Kay returns home to Carvel. There's a sentimental, perhaps even tear-jerking moment, at the film's predictable ending.

This film was by far the best dramedy I have scene. Simple, concise, deep enough, clearly understanding of the human-condition, weakness, and heart. This picture is absolutely brilliant and no one can take that away. I had to wait to watch this. I have adored Bob Taylor for three months now, since I discovered him in late May, early June this year. I have been watching all the films of his, I can get my hands on. Due to left-wing folks in Hollywood, who took his blacklisting response on communism too much to heart, he has been slowly erased from MGM, TCM, Warner classics, etc. Since his passing in 1969. Fear not- RT fans- he is making a come-back, and I am one of the few loyal fans on this planet who will partake in bringing back the magic he had on the silver-screen."Small Town Girl" Is one of his earlier pictures, what with his being only twenty-four years of age during its production. He made a lot of great movies this year, including "His Brother's Wife" Where he met and got to know pal and future failed marriage, Barbara Stanwyck. He also had his big break later in the year with Greta Garbo in "Camille" which is one of the few films that withstood the test of time and people still know about- only because of Garbo, of course. Anyhow, I digress; Janet Gaynor. Never had heard of her before this film, even despite being raised on all of the classics, 1920s onward (And even before) but now I am so happy this was my first impression of her. Gaynor's portrayal of Katherine Brannan, or Kay, as she is so called, is spot-on. She has the most impeccable expressions, when it comes to the various emotions of this character throughout the film. There's the frustration in the beginning of a girl, being trapped in her own family, not being able to relate to them the way she perhaps, once had. I relate to her, so I suppose that's ultimately why I adore this film so much. I love my family, and I have recently returned to them, which is another reason I love it, cause she sees how important that is when the time comes... then there's the sassy, catty version of Miss Brannan, where she really tries hard to be the newly-wed of Mr T's character Bob "Doc" Dakin. (Whenever I read his name before, the Englishman in me pronounced it "Daw-kin" when really it is Day-kin) Now for Mr Taylor... Ahhhhh Mr Taylor. His performance couldn't have been done better by anyone. And I mean it! Not just cause I am biased and adore the man, but to play the scuzzy-playboy in the beginning, you have no inkling is in a relationship, actually- affianced to Priscilla, and then to play this sweet innocent Kay and to take her for a ride, in all senses of the word (besides the modern vulgarity) Ohhh and then how he develops as she makes him a better doctor, a better professional- a better PERSON! Love his performance, and hers.This is a must-see if you like any fun films from the '30s, specially '36!ENJOY. and pay close attention, most quotable little dramedy, I've ever seen.

Robert Taylor as a romantic leading man is just as much at home with comedy as he is with melodrama, war films and westerns. Janet Gaynor is superb and it's interesting to note that Jean Harlow was the first choice, because that would have given this picture an entirely different flavor. And here's an interesting bit of trivia: there are more than a few connections to MGM's popular Andy Hardy. The small town that Gaynor's character comes from is called Carvel. The stage play that served as the basis for the Hardy series set the action in a fictitious Idaho town called Carvel, but in most of the Andy Hardy movies, the location is much more generalized and is basically Carvel, USA. But in this film, it is clearly established that Carvel is in the east. Road signs during one of the scenes indicate that Carvel is 97 miles from Boston.Janet Gaynor would re-team with director William Wellman for A Star Is Born. Meanwhile, MGM would remake this film in 1953, with musical scenes, starring Ann Blyth and Farley Granger.

Because of the stars, Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor, this pretty insignificant film rises to greater heights--despite its silly premise. Playboy Taylor is drunk and marries Gaynor. Of course once they come to their senses, they realize it was a mistake. However, they agree to wait 6 months before seeking a divorce. And, being a formulaic piece, you just KNOW how it will end up by the end of the picture. BUT, it's the journey there that is both entertaining and charming and is well worth a look. Also well worth a look is Jimmy Stewart in a supporting role as "Elmer". It's such an early effort that the studio simply doesn't know what to do with him, so he just kind of wanders about until the closing credits roll!