Man Wanted (1932)

You won't be disappointed!

Highly Overrated But Still Good

A Major Disappointment

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This isn't as blatantly sexist as 1933's "Female" in which Ruth Chatterton sexually harassed her male secretaries. This boss, Kay Francis, is much more subtle, hiring David Manners as her secretary after firing too busy to work overtime Elizabeth Patterson. It's not going to take her bookkeepers long to figure out what's going on, especially if they see him with his nagging gal pal Una Merkel, a dame whom Groucho Marx would describe as being vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Even though this was made before the production code came in, this is not as shocking or even as exciting as other pre-code films.Francis is an able comedian, Manners a handsome but dull (perhaps uninterested?) romantic lead. It's basically a ploy between Francis and her married in name only hubby Kenneth Thomason to find out after living their own lives how they truly feel about each other. In fact, it is set up that they are more friends, so when she romances Manners on the sly, it is the medication for her to find out how she really feels about her husband.Andy Devine offers lots of earthy comedy as Manner's pal, which gives Merkel a ploy at the end when it becomes clear that she and Manners have no future together. It is also extremely short, which gives it no real time to establish either character or a definitive plot. Without Francis and Devine, this would have been a total disappointment.

One must keep in mind with any Kay Francis picture from 1932 that no attempt is being made at realism; whether "Man Wanted" or "Trouble in Paradise," the mise en scene is the collective product of the studio's imagination, and no New York editor ever worked in an office quite as plush as the one in which Miss Francis and David Manners as her secretary toil. Yet even if its the intent is merely to provide a glamorous escape from the dreariness of the Depression, "Man Wanted" also succeeds in delivering quite a feminist portrayal of a woman executive who is not the least embarrassed by her position nor inclined to disguise her sexuality with mannish suits (a la Rosalind Russell), masculine dialogue, or any show of weakness. In this respect among others, "Man Wanted" is far ahead even of present-day Hollywood portrayals of capable, powerful women. While our puritanical culture might not like to admit that a wife could view such indulgent bemusement the infidelities of a weak, alcoholic husband, there are plenty of prominent modern marriages whose persistence cannot be explained otherwise. One suspects, therefore, that the reaction of Lois Ames to her husband's philandering is as firmly grounded in realism as the more violent and hysterical reactions we've come to expect, not to mention her extraordinary sang froid when confronted by her secretary's accusatory fiancée (Una Merkel). Moreover this secretary, who finally wins his boss's hand, is hardly some male tower of strength; he can get up the gumption to face her only after undergoing a sloppy bender with his half-dressed roommate (Andy Devine) in their rather sordid apartment. This isn't subversive just for 1932; it's subversive for now, and includes some very nice dresses, props, and a scene at a polo grounds that suggests a bygone era before Los Angeles was fully encased in concrete.

There's a MAN WANTED to become private secretary for a powerful female editor. Once found, will they be able to keep their minds strictly on business?Here is another example of a wonderful pre-Code comedy from Warner Brothers which has slipped under the radar and is undeservedly obsolete. The casting, acting, script & production values are all first rate. The humor is grownup & intelligent, and does not treat its viewers like insensitive Neanderthals.Scintillating & sly, Kay Francis is perfect in the role of a worldly woman with a wide-open marriage. Her frankness & grace in dealing with her husband's casual adulteries is most fetching - as well as making her character very human. As beautiful as she was talented, it is a shame that this lovely lady no longer receives the recognition she's due.Matching her every step of the way, David Manners exudes gentle masculinity as her new office employee. Slowly falling in love, he must carefully control himself & not overstep the bounds of propriety. Mr. Manners gives another in a series of excellent performances. Quiet & unassuming, he could always be counted on for a solid contribution to any film. He left Hollywood for a more private life in 1936, never to return to movies, which probably accounts for his near anonymity today. (He died in 1998, at the age of 97.)Giving very firm support are Una Merkel as Manners' fierce, funny little fiancée; and Andy Devine as his rough edged, good natured roommate.Elizabeth Patterson makes the most of her small role as Miss Francis' original, somewhat eccentric, secretary; Edward Van Sloan (DRACULA's Van Helsing) has only a few moments as a store manager who knows what it takes to sell rowing machines to the ladies.Although he's still listed in the credits, the scenes involving British character actor Robert Greig have been deleted. Pity...

This was the first of five outings together for director William Dieterle and Kay Francis. It's highly entertaining and contemporary in feel. Managing editor Kay hires David Manners as her male secretary. Her man-about-town husband, Kenneth Thomson, could care less as he has his eye on playgirl Claire Dodd. When Kay discovers that the emotional charge between her and hubby is lacking and for what reason, she's dissapointed, but holds no grudge. The way this is all written is quite human and provocative. Lovely photography by Gregg Toland(who later did CITIZEN KANE) is impressive. Supporting cast includes Una Merkle and Andy Devine. Kay gives a breezy, yet sensitive portrayal and the film is watchable many times over.