FOUR'S A CROWD
US, 1938, 92 minutes, Colour.
Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell, Patric Knowles, Walter Connolly, Margaret Hamilton, Hugh Herbert, Franklin Pangborn, Melville Cooper.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
Four's A Crowd is one of Errol Flynn's earliest films. It is a debonair comedy - a style which he handles rather well. However, he was to be better known for his swashbuckling adventures and his war heroics. He is once again teamed with Olivia de Havilland with whom he made a debut in Captain Blood. They had also made The Adventures of Robin Hood. Patric Knowles joins the cast, a friend of Flynn and acting with him in a number of films. There is great strength in the presence of Rosalind Russell who, comparatively early in her career, shows herself to be the strong reporter heroine, vigorous and with a line in repartee. She was to portray Hildy Johnson soon after this in His Girl Friday. Walter Connolly leads an amusing supporting cast - as the most hated man in America (but who has one of the best model train sets in America).
Direction is by Michael Curtiz who had directed Flynn in his swashbuckling adventures, who made a wide range of films at Warner Bros. in the '30s and '40s and was to move to a colourful variety of genres including musicals in the late '40s and '50s.
1. An entertaining screwball comedy, 1930s style?
2. Black and white photography, affluent America, the city and the newspapers, the homes of the rich, the model trains? Jaunty musical score?
3. The title, the introduction to the stars at the beginning, the interaction of the four?
4. The focus on Bob as a public relations wizard: his work at the newspaper, his being sacked, his relationship with Pat - and rescuing him from difficulties? The approach by Jean, his attraction towards Lorri? Entertaining at the restaurant? Persuaded by jean to help Pat? The attacks on Lorri's father? His covering himself and blaming Pat, his being ousted from the paper? His public relations firm, explanations to Jean, trying to get Lorri's father to donate to charity? The visit to her home, romance, the butter on the model railway tracks, his winning the race? The plan for the donation to the hospital? Its being exposed by Jean? His trying to cope with the difficulties? Being, chased by the dogs? Pursued by Lorri, pursued by Jean - and the two telephone routine? His final come-uppance? The exposure? The happy resolution - and the wedding? A debonair '30s character?
5. Olivia de Havilland as Lorri, the wealthy heiress, her whims, with Pat, dining and dancing, attracted to Bob, the romantic scenes at home after his intrusion into her room? Wanting his come-uppance? her love for her father, persuading him to follow Bob? Pursuing Bob? The revelation of the truth in the hospital? The marriage mix-up and happy ending?
6. Rosalind Russell's strong wisecracking style as Jean? reporter, domineering, writing her article, confronting Pat, confronting Bob? Pushing her way in, getting information, uncovering stories? On the spot at difficult times? In love with Bob? Ferreting out the truth about the bequest? In the hospital? The expose? The marital mix-up and the happy ending?
7. Pat and his wealth, running the paper, in need? Sacking Bob? Depending on Jean? Attracted towards Lorri? Getting the blame for the campaign? Saving himself? The mix-ups and cover-ups? The final expose? Marriage?
8. Lorri's father as the wealthiest man in America, his enjoying being hated? His model trains and his running them with his butler? The confrontation with Bob? Discovering the truth from Pat and really throwing him out, setting the dogs on him? Nevertheless attracted to Bob's ideas, the bequest, the expose? The humour on the capitalist?
9. The gallery of supporting characters from valets to butlers, to Lorri's maid?
10. The popularity of this kind of screwball comedy? of the Depression and post-Depression years? Light fantasy comedy
