When Myrna Loy’s name is mentioned, another actor immediately comes to mind: William Powell. Powell and Loy made 14 movies together, mostly in the 1930s and pre-World War II 1940s, including six “Thin Man” films. But Powell wasn’t the only actor who appeared as Myrna Loy’s leading man in more than one film. Cary Grant had that honor, too.
Grant first paired with Loy in the dramatic “Wings in the Dark” in 1935. In the post-war 1940s, Loy starred opposite Grant in two romantic comedies, “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” in 1947, and “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” in 1948. The similarities between these two comedies include the same two leads, inordinately long titles, and a hilarious script. However, the stories are very different, as are Loy and Grant’s relationships.
‘The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer’
Grant’s character is mentioned in the title of both movies. In the former, he’s the bachelor, artist Richard Nugent, but Loy isn’t the bobby-soxer. That’s Susan Turner (Shirley Temple). Loy plays her older sister, Margaret, who is a judge. Margaret first meets Richard when he’s brought into her court by a case involving a public disturbance in a nightclub. Although she must declare him not guilty in this case, she gives him a stern warning. She’s very distressed when her romantic, imaginative 17-year-old sister declares that she wants to be an artist that evening because Nugent spoke at her high school.
Smitten, Susan corners Richard to interview him for the school paper. She then insists that Richard wants to paint her as a model for “Young America.” She goes up to his hotel room to model for him. He’s not there when she arrives. While waiting, she falls asleep on the couch, and he has no idea she’s there when he gets home.
Margaret and uptight assistant district attorney Tommy Chamberlain (Rudy Vallee), who considers himself part of the family, are frantic with worry about Susan when she disappears, so they send the police to Richard’s apartment. Although Richard is innocent, the situation looks very bad. However, Matt Beemish (Ray Collins), a court psychiatrist who is also the sisters’ uncle, insists that legally punishing Nugent will only martyr him in Susan’s eyes.
The only way for her to get over her infatuation with him is for them to date, with proper chaperoning, of course, until Susan’s fancy passes. Faced with the choice of becoming a teenager’s beau or going to prison for years, Richard agrees. However, the woman he wants to impress is Margaret.
The concept of this film might seem problematic to modern viewers. Firstly, the concept of “dating” in movies from this time period is very different from today’s culture of instant gratification and easy virtue. A dating couple got to know each other one-on-one through fun social activities, and not with other “benefits.”
Susan and her teenage boyfriend, Jerry (Johnny Sands), have a very wholesome relationship. They go to the malt shop together, she cheers him on at sporting events, and he escorts her to parties. There’s nothing disturbing about an adult man taking over these roles, especially since he does it out of obligation, not romantic interest in her. Susan is 17, not 12, and Temple was 20 years old and married when she played the role.
‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House’
In “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House,” Grant plays the title character, Jim Blandings, and Loy plays his wife, Muriel, with two daughters. Blandings is much more serious; he’s an advertising agent who struggles to shave without cutting himself in his family’s crowded apartment.When Muriel comes up with elaborate, expensive remodeling plans, he suggests that they buy a house in the country instead. Blandings ends up falling for a beat-up old house with Revolutionary War history. Their family friend, lawyer Bill Cole (Melvyn Douglas), tries to convince them that they’re being swindled, but Jim refuses to listen to practicality.
The Blandings consult contractors, who advise them to tear the original structure down because it’s too dilapidated to repair. Finally, architect Henry Simms (Reginald Denny) cleverly agrees that the house could be salvaged, but suggests that they rebuild according to the Blandings’ own design. His sales pitch persuades them, and they design their dream house. The construction project turns out to be a nightmare which almost bankrupts them, nearly costs Jim his job, and threatens their marriage.
This movie is hilarious and entertaining because it’s true to life. This is the witty, artistic precursor to the home renovation reality TV shows that are so popular today. In fact, it’s probably more realistic than most of these shows. The film is adapted from the book of the same name which is based on the author’s personal experiences.
All the struggles that the Blandings face are real-life problems. This is very relatable to anyone who’s ever owned a house, built a new home, or lived through a renovation. This isn’t just some fixer-upper show, though. We have Grant, Loy, and Douglas at the top of their game delivering charming banter and endlessly quotable lines. Douglas’s performance as “Cole, Bill Cole, friend of the family” is especially memorable.
Two Very Different Couples
Grant and Loy show how versatile they were as actors by their different roles in the two movies. RKO Radio Pictures made them only a year apart and with the same producer, Dore Schary. In the first movie, they play two people of very different backgrounds, who form an immediate dislike upon meeting, but develop a romantic attraction. In the second movie, they play a long-married couple with one daughter in middle school, who love each other.Grant plays a very footloose character in Richard Nugent. The 35-year-old artist has no responsibilities besides his freelance work before he meets the Turner family. But as Jim Blandings, he’s a mature businessman who works hard and worries about taking care of his family; however, the impulsive dreamer’s spirit which makes him a good ad man gets him into trouble when it inspires him to buy an impractical house.
Loy is very serious as Judge Turner, a spinster who acts as a parent to her impetuous younger sister. However, she softens throughout the film and eventually reveals a whimsical side. Muriel Blandings is much softer and more emotional. She doesn’t have to worry about much besides drinking her morning cup of coffee while her husband gets ready for work, her daughters head for school, and her maid takes care of the house.
If you enjoy wholesome comedies with unique, imaginative stories and clever dialogue that the whole family can enjoy, I highly recommend these two films.
