Fri 12 Jun 2026
Archived Movie Review: SMARTEST GIRL IN TOWN (1934).
Posted by Steve under Uncategorized[4] Comments
SMARTEST GIRL IN TOWN. RKO Radio Pictures, 1936. Gene Raymond, Ann Sothern, Helen Broderick. Director: Joseph Santley.
Ann Sothern plays a fashion model who wants to marry money. Gene Raymond is a millionaire pretending to be male model so he can get to know her, but so that she won’t know he’s rich and take him for his money. He falls in love with her anyway, and …
Um. I guess the plot doesn’t make any sense. It did while I was watching it, or at least I thought it did, and I enjoyed every minute of it, The 1930’s version of TV sitcom, but sophisticated and elegant, and would you believe, cozy and fun?
— Reprinted from Movie.File.2, April 1988.
June 13th, 2026 at 5:49 pm
This film was 52 years old when I wrote this review. It is now 38 years later. I wonder, if I should happen to watch this movie again today, would I enjoy it just as much this time?
June 13th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Why not? But, maybe even more.
June 13th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
I think you’re right.
June 14th, 2026 at 1:48 am
Director Santley was better known for energy than polish, but he did significant work with the Marx Brothers and the Musical Western, not to mention ROSIE THE RIVETER.