Davis and Dumbrille

Yesterday I watched Fog Over Frisco. I've seen it several times, most recently here.

This time around, I focused on the relationship with Bette Davis and Douglas Dumbrille.

In the film, Arlene Bradford (Bette) is engaged to Spencer Carleton (Lyle Talbot.) He seems timid--not strong or energetic enough for Arlene. He can barely handle going out to a night club.

Later we learn the reason for Spencer's timidity: Arlene is using him to facilitate securities fraud. Soon enough, Arlene dumps Spencer (returning his engagement ring without a note by messenger--cold) and returns to her secret husband Mayard aka Arthur Burchard (Douglas Dumbrille.) Unfortunately for Arlene, hubby is no longer in love with her and wants out.

Arlene is clearly in love with him. She trembles when she hears from him (according to her stepsister Val (Margaret Lindsay.) She jumps into his arms when she first sees him. I just don't get it.

To be fair, I remember Douglas Dumbrille as a Marx Brothers villain in A Day at the Races and The Big Store. He just doesn't strike me as a heartthrob. I guess he can be charming and debonair, but he didn't show it in his one scene with Arlene. All he wanted was the return of his letters and he was all business.

If we're not going to see Dumbrille act charming or seductive--he should look the part. William Powell could have sold the charm and sex appeal. Douglas Fairbanks Jr.? Ricardo Cortes? Cagney? Bogart? George Brent? Lyle Talbot would have been better than Douglas Dumbrille. Dumbrille was miscast.

I'm reminded of a story about Bette Davis and Beyond the Forest. Bette plays Rosa Moline who is desperate to escape her small town. Bette thought Joseph Cotton was all wrong for the part of her husband. He was so handsome, why would she want to leave him?

Casting is important.