It's Love I'm After

Director: Archie Mayo Archie Mayo

Overview

Bette Davis and Leslie Howard play an egotistical Broadway acting team famous for their romantic scenes. In truth, Davis and Howard are crazy about each other, but they spend so much time bickering that they never get around to marriage. The relationship is complicated by young heiress Olivia De Havilland, a fan who worships the ground Howard walks on. Howard tries to scare off the star-struck young lady by threatening her with seduction, but it turns out she enjoys the prospect of being seduced. Everything is straightened out by the climax, though Davis and Howard never quite get to the altar. It's Love I'm After is all the more enjoyable when one recalls the "serious" movie romances carried on by Leslie Howard with both Bette Davis (in The Petrified Forest) and Olivia De Havilland (in Gone with the Wind).

Product Details

Release Date:	05/05/2009
UPC:	0883316165324
Original Release:	1937
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	33,930

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Bette Davis	Joyce Arden
Leslie Howard	Basil Underwood
Olivia de Havilland	Marcia West
Patric Knowles	Henry Grant
Eric Blore	Digges
George Barbier	William West
Spring Byington	Aunt Ella Paisley
Bonita Granville	Gracie Kane
E.E. Clive	Butler
Veda Ann Borg	Elsie
Valerie Bergere	Joyce's Maid
Georgia Caine	Mrs. Kane
Sarah Edwards	Mrs. Hinkle
Grace Field	Mrs. Babson
Harvey Clark	Mr. Babson
Thomas Pogue	Mr. Hinkle
Ed Mortimer	Mr. Kane
Thomas R. Mills	Butler
Lionel Belmore	Friar Lawrence
Herbert Ashley	Doorman
Paul Irving	House Manager
Jack Mower	Hotel Clerk
Irving Bacon	Elevator Man
Georgia Cooper	Woman Guest
Janet Shaw	Actor
Rosella Towne	Actor
Helen Valkis	Autograph Hunter

Technical Credits

Casey Robinson

Archie Mayo	Director
Casey Robinson	Screenwriter
Harry Joe Brown	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Unjustly neglected, It's Love I'm After is a delightful romp that provides an excellent showcase for the often equally neglected comedic talents of its trio of stars. While Love falls just shy of true classic status -- the screenplay is slightly off the mark in a few places and its dialogue occasionally lacks the effervescent sparkle that is a requirement of the genre -- it's still a little gem of a picture with an abundance of laughs. Fleetly directed by Archie Mayo, Love's greatest assets are its players. Bette Davis, looking quite stunning, is the epitome of imperious haughtiness, tossing off insults and slights with wicked delight and a deliciously true aim. Leslie Howard is every bit her match, chewing up every inch of scenery that comes his way and creating a gloriously amusing portrait of the quintessential hammy actor. And Olivia de Havilland is a darling embodiment of a ridiculously moonstruck maiden. If Bonita Granville is slightly grating, she's more than compensated for by Eric Blore, and the rest of the supporting cast is solid throughout. Love is a great pick-me-up and well worth searching out.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler