Man of the World

Director: Edward Goodman, Richard Wallace Edward Goodman

Overview

Still in his "sophisticated cad" period, William Powell essays the title role in Man of the World. Powell plays a smooth extortionist who preys upon wayfaring Americans in Paris. He woos lonely wives and wives-to-be, then threatens them with blackmail unless they sustain his lifestyle. One of his potential victims is Carole Lombard, with whom Powell (much against his better judgment) falls in love. Powell's vituperative mistress (Wynne Gibson) won't let her lover off the hook, and heads for the police. To avoid arrest, Powell reluctantly sends Lombard back to her fiancee--and then presumably picks up his racket where he left off. In real life, William Powell and Carole Lombard became husband and wife shortly after filming Man of the World.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/01/2014
UPC:	0025192180835
Original Release:	1931
Source:	Universal Mod
Language:	English
Time:	1:12:00
Sales rank:	49,075

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

William Powell	Michael Trevor
Carole Lombard	Mary Kendall
Guy Kibbee	Harold Taylor
Wynne Gibson	Irene Hoffa
Lawrence Gray	Frank Thompson
Andre Cheron	Victor
George Chandler	Fred
Tom Costello	Spade Henderson
Maude Truax	Mrs. Jowitt
Tom Ricketts	Mr. Bradkin

Technical Credits

Edward Goodman	Director
Richard Wallace	Director

Editorial Reviews

A minor but fairly entertaining romance among the "sophisticates," Man of the World is probably of most interest to fans of Carole Lombard interested in seeing the beautiful actress while she was still trying to define her screen persona. Regrettably, this is not one of Lombard's best performances. She does everything that is asked of her and does it perfectly well, but it's a performance that dozens of other attractive young women could have supplied. It lacks distinction and is a bit hesitant. Little of the vibrant radiance that would mark her in later roles is present here. Opposite her, her soon-to-be husband William Powell comes off much better, turning in a carefully shaded performance that is deceptive in its depth. It's Powell's picture, and he carries it beautifully; what he's asked to do in terms of plot and character is often ridiculous and forced by a writer's desire rather than by genuine sensibility, yet Powell makes it all work. A thinner than usual Guy Kibbee is also good, and Wynne Gibson's not-to-be-trifled with Irene is quite believable. Herman Mankiewicz's screenplay lacks credibility in its story and plot, but he turns out some crackling dialogue that makes up for its other shortcomings.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler