Actor/Director Lowell Sherman woos Ina Claire. Image: IMDb
Well, we’d never thought we’d say this, but here we are all the same:
There’s such a thing as too much Ina Claire.
We saw this normally fab actress in the pre-code comedy, Three Broadway Girls (1932), where she plays a woman anxious to marry a Very Rich man – she’ll Do or Die Trying. Hers is the guerilla warfare approach to matrimony.
Now we can’t be too hard on Ms Claire because her character in this film is Larger Than Life. Male Entrapment is her raison d’être and, as a result, she’s funny, but brash to excess.
Plus, director Lowell Sherman stars in the film, too, and we wonder if maybe he was so bamboozled by Claire’s overpowering performance, he forgot to direct her. (We’re not saying people can’t direct and act in the same film, but here it feels rather uneven.)
Anyhoo, this film, which served, in part, as inspiration for the comedy, How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), isn’t just Ina Claire trying to marry wealth. It’s about three friends trying to entrap men in the high-octane world of the 1920s.
Even though this film has an out-of-control Ina Claire, and a criminally-underused Joan Blondell, it does have a lot of funny lines. For example, a speakeasy announces it will be closing at 2:00 am, and one of the woman quips, “A speakeasy that closes at two o’clock is practically a tea room!”
We also loved this gem: “You can tell an awful lot about the liquor you drank the night before, by where you find your hat the next morning.”
The clothes are fabulous, too. Thirty outfits were designed by Coco Chanel, which was a rare occurrence because she designed costumes for only three Hollywood films.
The most interesting thing about Three Broadway Girls, we think, besides the 1920s atmosphere, is the friendship of the three women. They are the Best of Friends, which gives them plenty of ammo when they become Enemies.
Madge Evans stars as one of the three, a down-to-earth woman who pokes holes in Claire’s nonsense, while kindhearted Blondell is relegated to referee. “How did I end up organizing the two of you?” she asks in exasperation.
They fight and double-cross, but always forgive, because their friendship is paramount. Men may come and go, but these three will Stick to the End.
I’m always pleased to meet the rich. Image: en.notrecinema.com
Three Broadway Girls was initially released as The Greeks Had a Word for Them, which was based on the 1930 Broadway play, The Greeks Had a Word for It, by American playwright and novelist Zoe Akins.
The original play, which ran for 253 performances, proved troublesome for Hollywood or, rather, the Hays Office in particular, which frantically tried to keep a lid on scurrilous activities in the movies. Since the play was about three, uh, courtesans, the studio had to tone down the language and the women’s enterprises.
Curiously, the three leading characters are not actresses, although they say they “tried” Broadway at some point. Because we never see them at work, or even referring to a job, we can assume (A) the acting experience was a Flop, and (B) they now use men to stay Afloat Financially.
Three Broadway Girls is a worthwhile flick, because it’s a madcap dash through a distant time. We hope you’re able to track down a copy, but – alas! – this film is in the Public Domain, and we all know what happens Then.
Three Broadway Girls: starring Joan Blondell, Madge Evans, Ina Claire. Directed by Lowell Sherman. Written by Zoe Akins & Sidney Howard. The Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1932, B&W, 79 mins.
Now you are educating me.. only seen Joan Blondell in Grease so be good to see her in her hayday (?).. love those pics, who would you cast in a remake if they made ahomageto this film?
I love Brittany Murphy in David and Lisa, its a TV Movie remake of the 1960s movie. She stars with Lukas Haas – the wee boy in Witness – and Sidney Poitier, she’s fantastic in it and it’s another film you will sob at. It is super heartwarming.
I’m going to have to hunt this one down–it looks fun! And that contraption on Joan Blondell’s head looks interesting. Thanks again for joining the blogathon, Ruth. It was great, as always. 🙂
There’s much to enjoy in this film, particularly the friendship of the three women. They know all the worst things about each other, but love each other snyway.
Silver Screenings 
This is a new one for me and I have found it on youtube wahoo
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I hope you enjoy! There are some pretty funny lines.
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This definitely sounds like some pre-Code fun. Thanks for spotlighting it!
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It is pretty fun, Ina Claire notwithstanding. Some very funny lines.
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Now you are educating me.. only seen Joan Blondell in Grease so be good to see her in her hayday (?).. love those pics, who would you cast in a remake if they made ahomageto this film?
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Joan is really underused here, but she did have a pretty busy career, all the way to the 1970s, as you pointed out, with Grease.
Hmm… a modern (but impossible) recast could include Kate Hudson, Brittany Murphy, and Courtenay Cox
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I love Brittany Murphy in David and Lisa, its a TV Movie remake of the 1960s movie. She stars with Lukas Haas – the wee boy in Witness – and Sidney Poitier, she’s fantastic in it and it’s another film you will sob at. It is super heartwarming.
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Will look for it. I love Brittany Murphy in everything.
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I found it on YouTube ages ago but if you can’t find it there is a review on my blog. I reviewed it for Ginnie’s Sidney Poitier blogathon.
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Chanel? It would be worth a watch just for the costumes!
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Oh, you know it! Ina Claire wears Chanel like a second skin.
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Introducing me to another one I’m not familiar with, but sounds like I would enjoy it! 🙂
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I think you would enjoy it if you don’t go in with super-high expectations. You might even enjoy it for a historical perspective.
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I’m going to have to hunt this one down–it looks fun! And that contraption on Joan Blondell’s head looks interesting. Thanks again for joining the blogathon, Ruth. It was great, as always. 🙂
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This movie is a fun time, even with Ina Claire chewing the scenery. And the wardrobe!
Thanks for bringing this blogathon back for another year. It always amazes me the influence Broadway has had on the movies.
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You’re very welcome, and same here! I don’t think we’ll ever run out of stuff to talk about.
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A new one for me to look up! Thank you
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There’s much to enjoy in this film, particularly the friendship of the three women. They know all the worst things about each other, but love each other snyway.
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