''Personal Property'' is a 1937 American

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typic ...

film starring

Jean Harlow Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the ...

and Robert Taylor and directed by

W.S. Van Dyke Woodbridge Strong Van Dyke II (Woody) (March 21, 1889 – February 5, 1943) was an American film director and writer who made several successful early sound films, including ''Tarzan the Ape Man'' in 1932, ''The Thin Man'' in 1934, ''San Francis ...

. It is based on the play ''The Man in Possession'' by H. M. Harwood which had previously been made into a film '' The Man in Possession'' by MGM. It was the last fully completed film made by Harlow.

Synopsis

Raymond Dabney ( Robert Taylor) gets out of prison and is welcomed home by his mother ( Henrietta Crosman); but his father (

E. E. Clive Edward Erskholme Clive (28 August 1879 – 6 June 1940) was a Welsh stage actor and director who had a prolific acting career in Britain and America. He also played numerous supporting roles in Hollywood movies between 1933 and his death. Biog ...

) and brother Claude Dabney (

Reginald Owen John Reginald Owen (5 August 1887 – 5 November 1972) was a British actor. He was known for his many roles in British and American films and television programs. Career The son of Joseph and Frances Owen, Reginald Owen studied at Sir Herbert ...

) offer him money to go away. Raymond likes London, and his mother tells him that Claude is engaged. Raymond goes out and meets Crystal Wetherby (

). He joins her box at the opera; but she leaves, and he follows. She is pestered by bill collectors, and Raymond meets a Bailiff ( Forrester Harvey) at her door. A policeman tells Crystal that Raymond has a writ to stay there and make sure no one takes the furniture. Crystal's maid Clara (Una O'Connor) approves of marrying for money. Crystal tells Raymond that her husband shot the trophies and gives him his large pajamas, scaring him into the butler's room. Raymond brings Crystal breakfast; but she tries to get rid of him. Claude calls Crystal, and she tells Raymond that her fiancé's parents are coming for dinner. Raymond offers to "butle" as Ferguson for her, and they practice with Crystal playing Catherine Burns and Lord Carstairs. Raymond learns his family is coming, and he announces them. Claude tells Raymond to clear out. Catherine Burns (Maria Shelton) and Mrs. Burns (Cora Witherspoon) arrive, followed by absent-minded Lord Carstairs (Lionel Braham) and mumbling Arthur (Barnett Parker). Raymond serves cocktails, and Claude tells Crystal they can marry and share their possessions. Claude and Mr. Dabney say they are in ladies underwear. Catherine tries to flirt with Ferguson, but he is too busy. Claude says the best investment is marriage. Raymond spills food on Claude, who demands he leave. After the other guests leave, Claude tells Crystal that Raymond just got out of prison. Raymond says he will leave if Crystal asks him; but she says he can stay so he won't lose his job. She thanks Raymond for not exposing her. Crystal sends Clara to bed and washes dishes as Raymond dries them. Raymond tells Crystal that Catherine wants to hire him, and Catherine calls. Raymond and Crystal pretend to have a picnic and say good-night. In the morning Claude asks Raymond to leave before Crystal finds out who he is, and Raymond agrees for 500 pounds. Raymond asks Crystal about the wedding, and they quarrel because she is marrying for money. Before the wedding Raymond tells the bailiff the bill is paid. Raymond shows Claude the writ as men remove furniture. Raymond offers to explain to Crystal for Claude that he was a fortune hunter. Raymond tells Crystal that Claude is not marrying her, and they kiss.

Cast

as Crystal Wetherby * Robert Taylor as Raymond Dabney, aka Ferguson *

as Claude Dabney. Owen played the same character in the earlier 1931 film adaptation of the play, '' The Man in Possession''. * Una O'Connor as Clara * Henrietta Crosman as Mrs. Cosgrove Dabney *

E.E. Clive Edward Erskholme Clive (28 August 1879 – 6 June 1940) was a Welsh stage actor and director who had a prolific acting career in Britain and America. He also played numerous supporting roles in Hollywood movies between 1933 and his death. Biog ...

as Cosgrove Dabney *

Cora Witherspoon Cora Witherspoon (January 5, 1890 – November 17, 1957) was an American stage and film character actress whose career spanned nearly half a century. She began in theatre where she remained rooted even after entering motion pictures in the ...

as Mrs. Burns *

Marla Shelton Marla Shelton (October 12, 1912 – February 14, 2001) was an American actress. She appeared in the films '' The Phantom Rider'', ''Flying Hostess'', ''Under Cover of Night'', '' Dangerous Number'', ''When's Your Birthday?'', ''Personal Property' ...

as Catherine Burns * Forrester Harvey as Herbert Jenkins. Harvey played the same character in the earlier 1931 film adaptation of the play, '' The Man in Possession''. *

Lionel Braham Lionel Braham (April 1, 1879 – October 6, 1947) was a British actor. He appeared in the films ''Snow White'', '' Young Lochinvar'', '' I'll Show You the Town'', '' Skinner's Dress Suit'', ''Don Juan'', ''As You Like It'', ''Personal Property'' ...

as Lord Carstairs *

Barnett Parker Barnett Parker (September 11, 1886 – August 5, 1941) was a British actor. Biography He appeared in the films '' The Misleading Lady'', ''Roaming Lady'', ''The President's Mystery'', ''Adventure in Manhattan'', ''Born to Dance'', ''We Who Are A ...

as Arthur 'Trevy' Trevelyan

Box office

According to MGM records the film made $1,086,000 in the US and Canada and $645,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $872,000.

References

External links

* * * * {{W. S. Van Dyke 1937 films 1937 romantic comedy films American romantic comedy films American black-and-white films Films scored by Franz Waxman Films directed by W. S. Van Dyke Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films Films set in London Films scored by Edward Ward (composer) 1930s English-language films 1930s American films