HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY

US, 1933, 60 minutes, Black and white.
Evelyn Knapp, John Wayne, Reginald Barlow, Alec B. Francis.
Directed by Phil Whitman.

The main reason for seeing His Private Secretary is to see John Wayne in a romantic comedy in the early 30s. Wayne had been an extra and uncredited in a great number of films and had made an impact in the western, The Big Trail, directed by Raoul Walsh. However, he was to appear in about ten short features a year during the early 1930s and it was only in the late 30s, especially with Stagecoach, and the direction of John Ford, that he came into his own – and never looked back, even winning an Oscar in 1969 for True Grit.

John Wayne is a bit tall and awkward but genial in the eccentric role of the son of a millionaire. However, he is interested only in the high life. Given the opportunity to redeem himself, he is to collect money from a minister and his daughter – but listens to their story of giving the money to charity and decides to help them. Disowned by his father, he eventually marries the daughter. Since the father will not accept him, she goes to confront the father, he is so impressed without knowing who she is that he hires her as his secretary. Again, she is so good that he is very happy to accept her. However, the son falls from grace again and there needs to be a reconciliation. This is familiar material from a lot of screwball comedies and romantic comedies of the period.

The film was directed by Phil Whitman, a writer from the 1920s. This was his second-last film as he died at the age of forty-one from a heart attack soon after.

1.The popularity of this kind of short story in the 1930s? Small budget? Supporting feature? Romantic comedy? The screwball comedy tradition?

2.The title, reference to Dick, reference to his father? The focus on Marion?

3.The city, business offices? The countryside, the small town, the church, the garage? Musical score?

4.Dick, John Wayne as this character? Clashes with his father? Out on the town with his friends, drinking? Girlfriends? His father reading the riot act? His going to the town, giving Marion a lift – which led to her despising him? His listening to the story of her father, letting them off the debt? His being fired? Taking over the garage? His attempts to woo Marion, the difficulties with her car and her driving off, the little boy with the tacks?

5.The change in Dick, his going to the church, asking for forgiveness, the encouragement of Reverend Hall? Marion learning the truth? Out together, married?

6.His return, confrontation with his father? His father disowning him, saying that Marion was a gold-digger?

7.Marion, her determination, thinking for herself? Mr Wallace accepting her, offering her the job, working efficiently with her? The assistant and his trying to get in Wallace’s good books – and always failing? Marion pleading for him not to be fired?

8.The revelation of the truth, Dick and his staying out with his friends and drinking, Marion disappointed and leaving? Going away with her father? Giving Dick another chance, hearing his speech of love for her? The happy reconciliation, happy ending all round?