Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

mark.waltz Certain actors of the golden age of Hollywood don't get the quodos they deserve, simply because they seemed so dependable, just showing up to potentially be eaten up by one of the big, dramatic ladies who dominated that time. Certainly, the 1930's had its share of great leading men who are timeless: Cagney, EGR, Bogart, Flynn, Gable, Tracy, etc., but there are a ton of them who worked pretty much every leading lady available that today only us movie aficionados know if. George Brent, Warren William, Robert Montgomery, Ricardo Cortez, Ian Hunter, and in this screwball comedy's case, Herbert Marshall. Of course, he'll always be famous for allowing Bette Davis to chew him up and spit him out in "The Little Foxes", but he was so much more than that. Here, Marshall is opposite Barbara Stanwyck, and gives as much as he gets, and then some! The story has him as a formerly wealthy playboy, now a drunk on the risk of losing his fortune. One night out on the town has him being helped home by Stanwyck who sleeps in his bed while he's passed out on the couch, covered in her fur. When valet Eric Blore (playing "Butch" which he is anything but) brings him his morning hangover remedy, he finds Stanwyck in his shower searching for a towel and Marshall covered in rabbit hair. After being locked in by Marshall's giant pooch, Stanwyck agrees to stay for breakfast. Barbs are tossed, and it appears that they are making romantic headway when Glenda Farrell (playing an allegedly untalented actress) arrives, claiming her rights to Marshall as his fiancée, leaving Stanwyck no other choice but to skedaddle. Stanwyck, a wealthy heiress from Texas, plots revenge by gaining the stock his company is losing, and this leads to a hysterical boxing match where Stanwyck gets the upper knob, oops, I mean upper hand, by giving both Marshall and "Butch" black eyes.Hysterical comedy ensues when Farrell arranges an impromptu wedding as Stanwyck's wealthy Texas dad keeps interrupting the festivities posing as a window washer determined to make everything squeak so the bride and groom won't hear the vows. Stanwyck is one determined broad, and proves to Marshall that he needs her more than she needs him, even though it is obvious that she certainly wants him. They have a wonderful chemistry here, proving that Marshall wasn't just the seemingly bland, staid man of culture he played in many other films. George Brent had played this part in a few screwball comedies already, so its a nice change of pace to see him lighten up.Oh, that supporting cast, between Blore as the very effeminate valet who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, Etienne Giradot as one of Marshall's business associates, suffering from laryngitis who after taking one of Blore's concoctions loses his voice entirely, and Donald Meek as a very flustered minister. Farrell makes the most of her bad actress part, and even though her character is certainly annoying and whiny, Farrell makes her more than tolerable. Frank M. Thomas also has many amusing moments as Stanwyck's rambunctious father. This isn't up in the ranks with "My Man Godfrey", "Nothing Sacred", "Bringing Up Baby" or "Merrilly We Live", but its better than many other attempts at screwball comedy which when compared to these classics seem more like dumbbells than screwballs.

wes-connors Well-dressed Texas heiress Barbara Stanwyck (as Valentine Ransome) wakes up in a wealthy New York stranger's bed. Womanizing resident Herbert Marshall (as Jonathan Blair) passed out on the couch, after Ms. Stanwyck saw him home safely. A well-trained Great Dane named "Pee Wee" doesn't allow Mr. Marshall's female guests leave until after breakfast. So, Stanwyck and Marshall have "Breakfast for Two" and are mutually attracted... Too bad Marshall is already engaged to flashy actress Glenda Farrell (as Carol Wallace). Marshall could be a ventriloquist, but not a bigamist. Everyone works it out, in fairly amusing fashion. Marshall's stunt double helps his a boxing match, but the film's chief asset is devoted butler Eric Blore (as Butch).****** Breakfast for Two (10/27/37) Alfred Santell ~ Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall, Eric Blore, Glenda Farrell

SimonJack Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall had some fine movie performances to their credit when they starred in "Breakfast for Two." Stanwyck was one of the best actresses at the time, equally at home with mysteries, drama, and comedy. She especially excelled in the latter. While he did some comedies, Marshall was more known and regarded for his dramatic works. Some of his comedies were quite good, but others not so. This isn't one of his good roles. It may not be all his fault though. The idea for the plot is a good one, but the screenplay doesn't pull it off well. For instance, Marshall's Jonathan Blair changes so suddenly from his devil-may-care attitude and disinterest in his business, to one of protecting the family tradition that it just isn't believable. The directing and film editing likely played a hand in this as well. There were other little things that didn't quite ring true with Blair's character. He wakes with a hangover after sleeping on a couch. Yet his clothes are neat as can be and not a tussle of his hair appears out of place. He doesn't act like he has a hangover. Stanwyck's Valentine Ransome is excellent. No more needs to be said about her. There are a couple of very hilarious scenes in the film, but not much witty dialog. Eric Blore and Donald Meek give good performances to enhance the movie. No one can play a butler so amusingly as Eric Blore. His part as Butch is big enough that it helps Stanwyck carry the film. "Breakfast for Two" isn't full of laughs, but it's a light comedy that most should enjoy. Stanwyck has a large portfolio of very good films, so this isn't one I would keep in my library.

blanche-2 Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall enjoy "Breakfast for Two" in this 1937 comedy which also stars Eric Blore, Brenda Farrell, and Donald Meek.Stanwyck is Valentine Ransome from Texas, who meets playboy Jonathan Blair one night and ends up spending the night at his apartment. No, it's not precode, it's just that Blair's dog frightened her when she went for the door. Valentine is attracted to Jonathan, but he appears to have a lack of direction. He runs his family shipping company and has just about plowed it into the ground.Valentine buys the company in the hopes that Jonathan will get in there and make good. Meanwhile, she has to worry about his marriage to an actress (Glenda Farrell) and how she's going to stop it.Some hilarious scenes, including a chorus of window washers and a funny performance by Donald Meek as the poor justice of the peace. As the dizzy actress Carol, Glenda Farrell is a riot.There's some slapstick that involves Marshall which I assume was done with a stand-in since he had an artificial leg - but it was done seamlessly.Beautiful sets and nice production values, a cute comedy, with the young Stanwyck looking beautiful.