PodBill Just what I expected

Steineded How sad is this?

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

wes-connors Following a loveless wedding rehearsal, automobile designer Herbert Marshall (as James "Jim" Buchanan) has a bad day with his "Buchanan Motor Co" board of directors and goes for a walk in the park. Contemplating life on a park bench, Mr. Marshall meets attractive blonde Jean Arthur (as Joan Hawthorne). Assuming Marshall is likewise unemployed, Ms. Arthur shares the "Help Wanted" classified ads with him. She thinks they might improve their luck by responding to a "cook and butler" job offer together. They get a job working for shady Leo Carrillo (as Michael "Mike" Rossini) at "Rossini Manor", but must pretend to be husband and wife. When he discovers Marshall and Ms. Arthur are not sharing the bed in their living quarters, Mr. Carrillo decides to move in on Arthur...Of course, Marshall and Arthur discover they mutually attracted. Partially because it's so expected, there is little interest or investment in Marshall and Arthur as a couple. The co-stars have a few good moments – curiously, they are more appealing when they are not sharing the screen. The story seems to slow down as it progresses. Gravel-voiced Lionel Stander (as Flash) adds some much-needed spark. "If You Could Only Cook" is more famous as the film Columbia Pictures chief Harry Cohn falsely promoted abroad as a Frank Capra Production. The successful filmmaker was understandably miffed at the studio mogul.****** If You Could Only Cook (12/25/35) William A. Seiter ~ Herbert Marshall, Jean Arthur, Lionel Stander, Leo Carrillo

JohnHowardReid It's good to have this almost excellent screwball delight now available on an excellent Columbia/Sony DVD. Although it's not a fraction as famous as My Man Godfrey or Bringing Up Baby, I think it's a much funnier film, even though it does have a couple of minor defects – not in the writing, but in the playing. First off, I think that first-billed Herbert Marshall is miscast. His acting is faultless, but his personality is wrong. For me, Herbert Marshall lacks charm. It's hard to believe that a lovely girl like Jean Arthur would fall in love with him.My second problem player is Leo Carillo. I think everyone would agree that he over-acts. Problem is that he is actually required to do so, in order to keep up with Lionel Stander. And the funny thing is that we don't mind Lionel over-acting. In fact, we enjoy it. He always shouts and over-reacts because that is his shtick. You could say that's Carillo's method of drawing attention to himself too. But I nearly always find Carillo's performances at least slightly offensive. I don't have the same reaction to Stander's, because Stander is sending up gangsters – or at least movie gangsters. On the other hand, Carillo is satirizing Mexicans. All Mexicans! True, he wasn't the only player in the what-a-dumb-lot-Mexicans-are business, but he was certainly the most prominent. I always cringe when his name comes up on the screen. Aside from the not-always-appropriate presence of Marshall and Carillo, If You Could Only Cook is a delightfully engaging movie. Almost one of the best!

equesrosa Quite a delightful movie! I started watching expecting a rip-off of My Man Godfrey and wound up being entertained by its twists and turns. Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur made a great pairing opposite the gangsters with hearts of gold and the corporate execs who were timid in business matters but very quick to make social judgments. I thought the opening was an actual wedding because of the decor of the room, the large number of onlookers and the semi-formal attire worn by the men. The bride in a black suit momentarily surprised me but I figured it was a Depression era economy. It was only when the organist made his joking comment that I realized it was a rehearsal.This was a fun introduction to a director whose name was unfamiliar but whose work I'd enjoyed in the past. Seeing it on MeTV (WBME) with a single commercial block about 2/3's of the way through added to the enjoyment.My only question -- did Americans of this era and class really speak with such mid-Atlantic accents? Everybody sounded like modern BBC announcers. It wasn't until Jim met Joan that characters began speaking in American accents.

Spikeopath James Buchanan and Joan Hawthorne meet on a park bench one day. Buchanan is sulking away about his impending marriage which is sure to be a loveless one, while Hawthorne is perusing the job vacancy adverts in the paper completely baffled by her lack of suitability for all the positions. Once the pair strike up a conversation it becomes apparent that both of them could help each other if they are prepared to take a risk, the risk would mean posing as a husband and wife team and entering the service of Mike Rossini, but little do they know that Rossini is something of a local wise guy, love and gangsters.......interesting.If You Could Only Cook slips firmly into the category of films that deserve to be called charming, simple in structure and honest in its intent, it's a most enjoyable piece that leaves a long and warm impression after the initial viewing. There are many different reasons why so many old black and white pictures get termed classics, with one of the main instances being the ability to have longevity of entertainment values. It only really becomes apparent with a film such as this when you compare it with the more modern day romantic comedies, where today's directors and writers are prepared to force the issue with star appeal and cloying scripts, here the makers are fresh with zippy dialogue and charm personified.Jean Arthur is Joan, a wonderful bone structured face and a lovely fulsome figure, she's a smashing actress that carries off the required romantic humour with consummate ease. Playing off her with equally excellent results is Herbert Marshall as James, many other actors could do no worse than to watch Marshall when they want guidance in the art of line delivery, peachy and carrying a great presence, Marshall remains a sadly undervalued old time performer. Villain duties fall to Leo Carrillo {Rossini} and the wonderful Lionel Stander as henchman Flash, while all the supporting members come up to the requisite charming standards. But ultimately it's a team achievement across the board, from the writing to the wink at the end of the piece, If You Could Only Cook is a smashing film that makes one feel all the more richer for having sat thru it. 8/10