Carole Lombard takes on the High-Profile Illness

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Carol Lombard is under the weather.

Carol Lombard is, uh, under the weather.

Spoiler Alert

You have to hand it to 1930s screwball comedies.

They are, in part, a response to the Production Code (c.a. 1930-67), a set of rules about What Was Allowed in the movies. Screwball comedies wink at audiences while madly skidding around these rules. In a screwball comedy, the question is: See what we did there?

But 1930s comedies also scrutinize society – and still do today. Our Man Godfrey, for example, skewers class differences in America. His Girl Friday observes political interference in the justice system. And here’s Nothing Sacred (1937), a film that tackles the celebrity of the high-profile illness.

In Nothing Sacred, Fredric March stars as a celebrated Manhattan journalist who’s been demoted because he allowed a con artist to embarrass his newspaper. He’s desperate to find a human interest story that will resurrect his career.

The luminous Carole Lombard stars as a small-town woman who’s been misdiagnosed with radium poisoning. When she learns she’s not going to die, she’s faced with one question: Now What?

Happily, March has learned about her initial devastating diagnosis and, when he tracks her down, he invites her to New York City.

March, the poor slob, doesn’t know Lombard is perfectly healthy, and Lombard ain’t telling him. The one place she’s always wanted to visit is New York, and here’s her chance to go for Free.

Lombard and March go sailing because they can. Image: otsoNY.com

Lombard and March go sailing, because they can. Image: otsoNY.com

Radiation poisoning made headlines in 1920s America when it afflicted female employees of the U.S. Radium Corp. of New Jersey. These women were hired to paint numbers onto wristwatch faces using glow-in-the-dark paint containing radium.

“After painting each number,” says npr.org, “they were to put the tip of the paintbrush between their lips to sharpen it.”

This is how the radium was ingested, at the rate of over 200 watches per person, per day. By the mid-1920s, several women had fallen ill and died. One woman’s jawbone became so riddled with holes from the radium, it looked like a honeycomb. When another woman had a tooth extracted, part of her jaw came with it.

These women became known as the Radium Girls.

So, in Nothing Sacred, when Lombard’s character arrives in New York, sponsored by a newspaper publicizing her radium illness, the city opens its arms (and wallets) to embrace her, the poor thing.

Lombard and March duke it out. Image: Tales of a Madcap Heiress

Lombard and March duke it out. Image: Tales of a Madcap Heiress

Carole Lombard is the perfect actress to orchestrate this con. She portrays the type of person who convinces you of one thing when your eyes tell you another. The lively and robust Lombard has radiation poisoning? Not a chance! But – if the newspaper says it’s true, well, it must be so.

The film also picks an odd fight with public sentiment, namely the hypocrisy that is created when the masses rally around a person suffering a grave illness.

After the newspaper uncovers Lombard’s deception, a conspicuous Disappearance is staged. Lombard is sad about leaving New York, but March insists collective memory is short lived.

Lombard: You’re forgetting that everybody in New York knew me and loved me….After all, I was a pretty important person.
March: Just a flash in the pan… They were beginning to get pretty impatient at the way you were dragging this thing out.
Lombard: That’s a lie and you know it. Why, right now millions of people are crying just thinking about me.
March: Why don’t you get wise to yourself. You were just another freak, like the bearded lady or Jojo the dog-faced boy.

While March’s statements may or may not be true, this conversation is pretty harsh coming from a pair who depended upon this reaction from New Yorkers to get what they wanted, e.g. prestige and free travel. They knew a dying woman would rally the city – and sell a lot of newspapers besides.

Nothing Sacred was the first screwball comedy shot in Technicolor, and it’s a Must See for Carole Lombard fans. If you’re new to her films, we recommend you track this down.

Nothing Sacred: starring Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Charles Winninger. Directed by William A. Wellman. Written by Ben Hecht. Selznick International Pictures, 1937, Technicolor, 77 mins.

  • This is part of the Carole Lombard Blogathon hosted by In the Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood and Phyllis Loves Classic Movies.

Posted in Comedy

Happily blogging about old movies and using the royal "We".

47 Comment on “Carole Lombard takes on the High-Profile Illness”

  1. realthog January 12, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    A lovely writeup, Ruth, and some great screengrabs.

    That’s a lie and you know it. Why, right now millions of people are crying just thinking about me.

    Okay, so I fell around laughing. What a wonderful selection.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:05 pm

      Some terrific lines in this film. And March and Lombard have great hostile chemistry – if one can put it that way?

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. realthog January 13, 2017 at 8:15 pm

        As between March and Veronica Lake in I Married a Witch?

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Silver Screenings January 14, 2017 at 5:02 am

        Aha! Are you suggesting a common denominator…?

        Like

  2. Patricia Nolan-Hall (@CaftanWoman) January 12, 2017 at 6:13 pm

    Nothing Sacred was one of my late dad’s favourites. I love this pulls-no-punches movie, especially Walter Connolly’s delivery of some of those great lines.

    Your insights into the movie and Lombard’s performance are spot on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:06 pm

      Walter Connolly is just about the best thing in this film. I couldn’t start writing about him because it would turn into a Walter gush fest…and this is supposed to be about Ms. Lombard…

      Like

      Reply
  3. Phyl January 12, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    This is one I really need to revisit. I didn’t like it very much when I first saw it because of something I read about March. Now that it’s old news to me now I’m sure I’ll enjoy it a lot more.

    Thanks so much for joining Crystal and I in celebrating Carole’s life!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks for organizing this blogathon. I was so excited I had to post a few days early. I’m looking forward to reading all the other posts next week. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  4. charsmoviereviews January 12, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    I also need to rewatch this movie. It has been way too long! Really interesting commentary on the Radium Girls as well. I find it so fascinating how history was current at one point in time, and it is reflected in so many art forms.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      I was interested to learn about the Radium Girls, too. There’s actually a lot of info about them on the internet – who knew! I hope you get the chance to see this again soon. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. thoughtsallsorts January 12, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    This sounds great. Thanks for bringing this actress (and the movie) to my attention.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      I have a feeling you might like this one. Lots of great lines here.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Cazbar Pintar January 13, 2017 at 12:42 am

    Oh now I can’t wait to see this movie – Carole Lombard in colour? I should cocoa! Your background regarding the Radium Girls is really useful – chimes a lot with environmental controversies today. I consider myself fortunate as there’s so many of Carole’s films I am yet to see – I am one lucky lady!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:15 pm

      This one is a lot of fun, and Lombard and March are a great pairing. I didn’t have time to write about half the funny scenes and top-notch cast. It’s a fave with Carole Lombard fans for good reason.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. First Night Design January 13, 2017 at 4:38 am

    I can’t believe I’ve never seen this!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:16 pm

      I think you’d like this one. SO many clever lines, and a great supporting cast.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Rich January 13, 2017 at 6:54 am

    Good use of real-life radiation poisoning as a connection. Some of the stories of early 20th century worker conditions are beyond shocking.

    I remember marveling at the way Carole looked in this film. It’s a shame she didn’t do more in color.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      Exactly! Carole Lombard looks STUNNING in colour. Like you said, it is a shame she didn’t do more.

      Yes, some of the working conditions in the early 20th century were appalling. Those poor women, ingesting all that radium! It’s a wonder they all didn’t die.

      Like

      Reply
  9. maedez January 13, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    This is one of my fave comedies of the thirties. Carole was amazing, as was Fredric. They both rate high on my list of preferred performers. Great piece!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 13, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      I agree – Lombard and March can really hold their own against each other. Their scenes together are so much fun!

      And doesn’t Carole look fab in colour?

      Like

      Reply
  10. Michaela Owens January 14, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    I’m a little ashamed to admit it, but I wasn’t charmed by this film when I saw it. I can’t even remember why, so maybe it’s time I give it another shot. Really interesting info re: the Radium Girls! I also enjoyed what you had to say about screwball comedies. Well-done, as always!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 18, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Like you, I was kind of “meh” the first time I saw this film, but I enjoyed it much more this time around. And yes, the Radium Girls – what a sad story about those women. Thankfully workplace safety practices have come a long way since then!

      Like

      Reply
  11. Pingback: Carole Lombard takes on the High-Profile Illness – Silver Screenings | Rogues & Vagabonds

  12. Pingback: CAROLE LOMBARD: THE PROFANE ANGEL BLOGATHON HAS NOW ARRIVED – In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood.

  13. christinawehner January 17, 2017 at 11:12 am

    It was fascinating to learn about the real cases of radiation poisoning…and appalling to think about what it did to those women. Though, as you wrote, it is hilarious that Carole Lombard would be posing as someone mortally ill while looking so healthy.

    I’m not usually a huge Fredric March fan, but I really enjoyed him and Carole Lombard together in this one. You make me want to revisit this again!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 18, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Oh yes, as you know, Carole Lombard does not at all look like someone who is gravely ill. She’s a great character foil to Fredric March – something his character desperately needs, if you ask me.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Sarah Brentyn January 18, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Okay, so I’m reading along and am hit with the radium watch-making business. Which is horrific. I’m horrified. Then, next thing I know, I’m laughing my arse off reading an exchange between these two. This was an odd post. 😉 Well done and on my TBW list.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 19, 2017 at 4:05 am

      There seem to be mixed feelings about this film, but the script is very witty and the actors are top-notch. I’d be interested to hear what you think if you do get the chance to see it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sarah Brentyn January 19, 2017 at 2:46 pm

        It sounds very witty. And also exposing (or goofing on?) something that was going on. And still is going on, really. “the hypocrisy that is created when the masses rally around a person suffering a grave illness.” Right?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Silver Screenings January 19, 2017 at 5:14 pm

        I think if you, Sarah, had been a writer kicking around Hollywood in the 1930s, you would have penned some very witty screwball comedies (maybe with a dark edge?) that would cleverly slip past the censors.

        Now all we need is a time machine to test out my theory.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Sarah Brentyn January 19, 2017 at 5:45 pm

        I want to have a witty comeback (you know, to prove you right) but all I can do is sit here with my mouth hanging open like, “Holy crap! She’s totally right! I would!” Now…the time machine.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Silver Screenings January 19, 2017 at 5:11 pm

      Ha! Thanks! This was a fun and interesting film to write about.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Realweegiemidget January 20, 2017 at 6:25 am

    Thanks for a great blogathon – loved this film too x And great toread more of thehistory behind it x Going to chack out more of her films now

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 20, 2017 at 7:03 am

      I learned SO MUCH about Carole Lombard and her films with this blogathon. Truly a remarkable woman.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. Realweegiemidget January 20, 2017 at 6:25 am

    oops chack should say check x whoops

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. nuwansenfilmsen January 20, 2017 at 7:04 am

    The 1st screwball comedy made in Technicolor!!! I ought to check it out!!
    Sounds like a really interesting comedy, with a deep message!! I love the historical input, on Radium poisoning. So sad, so many young lives lost, due to it!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 21, 2017 at 4:04 am

      Carole Lombard looks FA-BU-LOUS in Technicolor. “Nothing Sacred” is a fun film, but it does have a deeper message about society and the media. I hope you get a chance to see it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Virginie Pronovost January 20, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    A great reflection on Nothing Sacred. I think this film is unique in its own genre and Carole Lombard as a lot to do with it. I also wrote a little review of it about 2 years ago. 🙂
    https://thewonderfulworldofcinema.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/nothing-sacred-when-carole-lombard-was-pretending-she-was-pretending/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 20, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      I agree “Nothing Sacred” wouldn’t be half the film it is without Carole Lombard. Others would have done a great job, but Carole is perfect.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Rick January 22, 2017 at 8:27 am

    It’s one of my favorite Carole Lombard movies, but I didn’t know about the Radium Girls. Thanks for enlightening me and including the interesting link!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 22, 2017 at 11:51 am

      Isn’t Carole Lombard fab in (A) this role and (B) Technicolor?

      Like

      Reply
  21. Le January 23, 2017 at 10:18 am

    This film is very good, and the subject is sooo modern. I really liked the dialogue you posted, and the last line is at the same time sad and hilarious. Great article!
    Thanks for the kind comment!
    Kisses!
    Le

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 23, 2017 at 3:27 pm

      You’re right, Le – the subject IS modern. It proves these scriptwriters certainly knew human nature!

      Like

      Reply
  22. In The Good Old Days Of Classic Hollywood January 30, 2017 at 9:12 am

    Thanks so much for participating in the blogathon, and I’m sorry for the late reply. I haven’t been back for long after visiting family where I’m from, and while I away my auntie passed away on New Years Eve when I was in the room, so Its taking me a while to come to terms with what happened, but I’m starting to get back to the world of blogging. I hope your New Years was great. Anyway this was a wonderful post to welcome me back. I love Nothing Sacred, and only Carole could play this role to such perfect. I also found your bit on the radium poisoning very interesting.

    I also invite you to check out my contribution for the blogathon. It was written when I was away.

    https://crystalkalyana.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/carole-lombard-tribute/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Silver Screenings January 30, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      Thanks, Crystal. I hope life has been treating you more kindly in the past little while. I’ll be by to check out your post. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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