Monday, July 8, 2013

The Palm Beach Story 1942

Gerry (Claudette Colbert) and Tom (Joel McCrea) are six years into their marriage and broke. 




 Gerry is home when the landlord brings over new tenants since they are being shoved out for unpaid rent. Turns out to be "The Weenie King". An old, deaf man who takes a liking to Gerry when he runs into her in the bathtub in her wrap!



 The weenie king thinks she is a cutie and gives her $700 to pay off her dues. She is ecstatic and pays the bills, gets her hair done, and buys a new dress. Hubby Tom comes home and is irritated at her new found wealth and the way he thinks she earned it.

Now that the bills are paid they can get a divorce according to Gerry. They think they are unhappy together and Gerry wants to use her looks to get money to help Tom's business. He thinks she is crazy.


The next morning she shoves out and runs away to Palm Beach to get a divorce and meet a new rich guy to give her money. Tom wants to chase after her but he has no money. Good thing the weenie king turns up and gives him the cash! He plans to meet her at her in Palm Beach with open arms. 

Meanwhile, Gerry uses her hotness to score a ticket on the train for free. This ticket comes with a price, as she is followed around by a mob of crazy drunk hunters who sing songs and shoot out train windows. 



 The conductor leaves the rowdy bunch's train car on the tracks and takes off, but that includes Gerry's purse, makeup, clothes, and ticket! She is trapped in her train bunk with noting but men's pajamas. As she is fixing how to get out of this mess, she meets her bunk neighbor and breaks his glasses. Fail.



He is forgiving and wants to help Gerry. He buys her lunch and she gets off at the next stop wit him and he spoils her with a new wardrobe and diamonds! Who is this guy? He is sweet, apparently rich, and quiet the OCD case. He writes all his expenses in a notebook for organization.



 He's planning to get to Palm Beach by boat and asks Gerry to go wit him. She does and finds out he is J.D., one of the richest men in the world, and a bachelor to boot! He is meeting his 5 time divorced sister Princess Centimillia and her latest boy toy. Guess who is also waiting at the dock? Tom, with roses.


The four meet and Gerry tells the gang that Tom is her brother! He goes along with it but is mad. 



Rich J.D. is falling for Gerry and Gerry realizes she is still in love with her hubby.



Gerry is in a pickle. If she marries J.D. she is set for life and Tom can get his business going too, but she won't have Tom, and Princess Centimillia is taking quite a liking to Tom as well. Should she choose for her pocketbook or her heart? 


The plot of this film is weird and so unrealistic. But the costume design is great and I love a good Claudette film. Silly but fun viewing!

1 comment:

Mr. Tiny said...

"Nitz, Toto!!!" I love this movie!!! Mary, Claudette, Joel, Rudy, The Weenie King - what's not to love?! The costumes are pretty brilliant too!