Breakfast for Two

Moviecut—Breakfast for Two

Ultra-lightweight screwball comedy that works in spots, thanks to the heroic efforts of the cast. The premise is ridiculous even by genre standards, and Stanwyck's obsessive campaign to win Marshall by hook or crook borders on the psychopathic. Still, most of it goes by pleasantly enough, and the two wedding scenes are funny. The last act, though, loses focus, and the ending is pretty weak. In short, it's both watchable and forgettable. What I can't figure out is why they called it Breakfast For Two when Stanwyck offers a far better title in a throwaway line: "Blame it on the night."

I would have given this a 4 based on the pathetic script but stanwyck is so captivating to that it deserves a 6 just for her sparkle. There are some nice sets and costumes but this was a pretty bad screwball even by generous screwball era standards in my view. I also think that the male leads we're totally miscast opposite stanwyck who is a tour de force by this time. Bad scripts like this led her to protest her contract.

" . . . bath towel in the family," steamship company scuttling specialist Jonathan growls at Valentine, who's just appropriated his loo's lone lavatory sop-upper for her private personal use. If BREAKFAST FOR TWO's pair of star-crossed fighters were stranded in a Turkish bath house, or washed up on a Polynesian Beach, drying their forbidden zones would not be such a contentious matter. However, they're confined to a big city high-rise smack in the middle of a major American metropolis, where platoons of gawking window washers eagerly erupt into choruses of catcalls and wolf whistles at the barest provocation. Despite being trapped in a strange dude's john, Valentine resolves to make a clean breast of things, and eventually she manages to get all of her W.C. bathos off her chest.

Texas socialite (Barbara Stanwyck) falls for bankrupt playboy (Herbert Marshall) dating a ditzy actress (Glenda Farrell). With help from Marshall's butler (Eric Blore), she sets out to reform him. First step is to buy his business to cut off his income so perhaps he will be forced to work. Then she tries to get him untangled from Farrell. Delightful little romantic comedy with a great cast. Stanwyck may not be a believable Texan but she's still likable and fun. Marshall is also a little hard to swallow as shiftless but his charm overcomes that. Eric Blore and Glenda Farrell offer terrific support. Wait til you see how Stanwyck breaks up a wedding. Kind of gave me the creeps!

Rich drunken playboy Jonathan Blair (Herbert Marshall) wakes up in the morning to find Valentine Ransome (Barbara Stanwyck) ready to leave. He had passed out and she brought him home after a night of partying. Actress Carol Wallace, one of his girlfriends, shows up to find them having breakfast. Valentine vows to reform the irresponsible, spoiled, womanizing playboy despite only met him once and then marry him. Stanwyck has plenty of fun with her smile and her sass. She has a great bit with boxing. She's all kinds of fun. He's a fine foil. It's not the hottest of romances but it's good light fun.

I don't usually think of Herbert Marshall -- one of my favorite old-time actors -- with playboy roles (he was in his late 40s when he made this film), but that's exactly what he plays here. On the other hand, Barbara Stanwyck was pretty diverse at this point in her career, so her role as woman out to get a man not so surprising. Another of our reviewers said she laughed her head off watching this film. Well, in the whole 67 minutes of this film I haven't laughed out load even once. I smiled a couple of times...at the butler. Actually, despite this being a comedy, Marshall's best scenes are the few which are dramatic. One thing you will see here that is a bit rare, is a segment where Herbert Marshall is walking with an unobstructed view. Marshall had lost a leg during World War I, and this is one film where it is quite obvious. This is probably the only Herbert Marshall film I've ever seen that I didn't like. It's just so blah.

Well-dressed Texas heiress Barbara Stanwyck (as Valentine Ransome) wakes up in a wealthy New York stranger's bed. Womanizing resident Herbert Marshall (as Jonathan Blair) passed out on the couch, after Ms. Stanwyck saw him home safely. A well-trained Great Dane named "Pee Wee" doesn't allow Mr. Marshall's female guests leave until after breakfast. So, Stanwyck and Marshall have "Breakfast for Two" and are mutually attracted... Too bad Marshall is already engaged to flashy actress Glenda Farrell (as Carol Wallace). Marshall could be a ventriloquist, but not a bigamist. Everyone works it out, in fairly amusing fashion. Marshall's stunt double helps his a boxing match, but the film's chief asset is devoted butler Eric Blore (as Butch). ****** Breakfast for Two (10/27/37) Alfred Santell ~ Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall, Eric Blore, Glenda Farrell

Jonathan has picked up Miss Ransome. or has Miss Ransome picked up Jonathan? Stanwyck and Marshall star as hot new romantic couple. and the awesome Eric Blore is the sarcastic guardian butler. Donald Meeks is in here too! it just doesn't get better than that crew. big star Glenda Farrell is in here as the "first" girlfriend. that's trouble. and Jonathan has a HUGE dalmation. more trouble. and Jonathan is broke again. MORE trouble, considering he's written checks all over town. when the chips are down, Miss Ransome takes advantage and makes a shrewd business deal that puts her on top. but now Jonathan is mad at her. can they iron it out? it's a fun romp. made in the peaceful, happy pre-war time. directed by Al Santell. started in the silents. made this one and Interns Can't take Money with Stanwyck in the same year. story by David Garth. it's a really clever script. and it's Barbara Stanwyck!

Breakfast for Two (1937) ** (out of 4) A tough as nails Texas woman (Barbara Stanwyck) tries to break a playboy (Herbert Marshall) from some of his bad habits. This screwball comedy didn't really work for me mainly because I didn't feel anything between the two main characters. Eric Blore steals the show as the butler and the highlight happens at the start of the film when he goes into the bathroom to drop off some towels and notices it's not his boss in the shower but Stanwyck. There's also a talking dog on hand, which is somewhat more eerie than funny. There's also a subplot dealing with Marshall marrying a woman but I'm pretty sure you know how this romantic comedy will end.