The Perfect Gentleman (1935)

So much average

Sadly Over-hyped

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Perhaps my favorite character actor has long been Frank Morgan. When he is in A pictures as a supporting actor (such as "The Wizard Of Oz" and several films with Clark Gable) he shines. But some of the B films MGM assigned to him, where he is the star, well...the scripts were not so good. This is one of the exceptions. A movie that is both genuinely funny and sentimental.Morgan plays a role he was accustomed to -- a bit of a ne'er-do-well, but one that most people genuinely like. The creditors are always after him, his prim spinster sister looks down on him, and he exasperates his son, who is attempting to become a figure in the church. Then, Morgan meets a second-rate stage actress (Cicely Courtneidge), and quite by accident they become a hit. She falls in love with him, but the problem Morgan is causing his son ends up splitting up the show business team and the couple. In the end, they all live happily ever after (although for a few moments I though Morgan or Courtneidge was going to die, and the film be turned into a tragedy).Morgan is his usual lovable, blustery self. Courtneidge, known more to British audiences, is wonderful! Able to play both the funny and the touching momemnts. The rest of the characters are efficient in their roles, though they are not memorable.Watch this film to savor the great Frank Morgan, and receive the bonus of discovering Cicely Courtneidge.

Frank Morgan plays a pretty typical sort of role--a bombastic ne'er-do-well. Most people love him (especially the ladies) but not everyone---creditors are always at his heels. But he's so full of bluster, promises and charm that people naturally like when they meet. But he's also a burden to his sister and son--who are often left to clean up the messes that he's made. They are exasperated and ready to call it quits.Oddly, after a long string of failures, when he meets a stage actress (Cicely Courtneidge), the somehow manage to make a success. And, for the first time, Morgan's life is starting to go right and he's starting to make good for all his lies and half-truths. But, in a misunderstanding, he and Courtneidge split up. What's to become of Morgan? While I will quickly admit that the plot in this film is VERY slight, it is nevertheless quite enjoyable. It's a turn off your brain and enjoy sort of movie--with some nice comedy, mostly enjoyable music and lots of upper-class folks going into a dither (which is always fun to watch). For old movie buffs, this is a nice and predictable sort of treat. Others might be a bit less forgiving.

Frank Morgan didn't get to play many lead roles during his long tenure at MGM, so this gentle, sub-Wodehousian English trifle ought to be a cause for celebration. Alas. He plays a "charming," penniless old rogue who sponges off his relatives, spends what little he has on drink, makes tactless talk with stiff authority figures, and romances a fetching musical hall lady (Cicely Courtneidge, who was the real thing, and is delightful). The trouble, aside from Tim Whelan's utterly anonymous direction, is that "the Major," as written, is nearly as tiresome and confounding as all the "bad," "small-minded" townspeople claim him to be. So you can't really blame an overacting Una O'Connor as his huffy sister for scolding him, or handsome Robert Waring as his conventional son for turning him out. You can't even understand why Heather Angel, as his prospective daughter-in-law, would keep defending him. You can't imagine why his bumbling rendition of "Pack Up Your Troubles" in a music hall would save Courtneidge's hitherto-reviled act. And when a humbled Morgan finally wins her hand, you're mostly sorry for her rather than overjoyed for them both. The sentiment here feels calculated, the pacing's off, and virtually nothing is credible. Frank Morgan is perfection, but even he can't turn this dithering blowhard into a likable guy.

This little comedy was made at the MGM English studio. It featured a British cast, with the exception of the American character actor, Frank Morgan. Remember him? He played the wizard, in the "Wizard Of Oz." What makes this film fun to watch is Morgan's comic skill, and energy. Also, a plus, is the quality of his fellow British actors. This quality, is what raises a rather sub-par script, into a very watchable film.