TCM March Star of the Month: George Brent

I wish I had seen that George Brent was the Star of the Month earlier. He co-starred with Bette Davis in 11 films. I knew some of her films would be included. 

Here are a few that I caught.

First I watched: The Keyhole (1933) the first of six pairings between George and Kay Francis. Kay is unintentionally a bigamist. Her first husband is a blackmailer, and her current husband is suspicious of her activities. She sails to Cuba in a plan to get the blackmailer out of  the US. Her suspicious husband sends PI George Brent in pursuit. George's specialty is seducing married women. Of course, Kay and George fall in love and all obstacles to their romance disappear by the end of the film. 

There's a subplot with Glenda Farrell and Allen Jenkins. Glenda is a gold digger pretending to be a wealthy woman. Allen is working with George, posing at his valet. With Glenda, he pretends that George is the valet. I was hoping they would also get a happy ending.

The Goose and the Gander (1935) I selected this because of Genevieve Tobin. She was memorable as Mrs. Chisholm in The Petrified Forest. She was also good in another film with George Brent, Snowed Under. Here, Genevieve is planning a weekend getaway with George even though she's married to Ralph Forbes. Kay Francis, Ralph's first wife, overhears their plans and plot revenge against Genevieve who stole Ralph from her. After meeting George, Kay no longer cares about her ex nor getting back at Genevieve. They fall in love in record time.

Add in a couple of jewel thieves, and this film has has real potential as a farce. Too bad it doesn't quite make it.

Stranded (1935) Kay Francis works for Traveler's Aid which is more like all the social service agencies in one. George Brent comes in looking for a worker for the bridge he is building. George falls for Kay in record time (again) and immediately gets bossy and demanding. They want to get married but he insists she immediately quit her job. He tells Kay her work is useless. Kay breaks it off.

But trouble brews at the bridge construction site thanks to Barton MacLane. He's trying to stop the bridge construction because George won't pay safety money. Kay even rushes down to a workers' meeting to defend him.   

Miss Pinkerton (1932) Policeman George Brent enlists nurse Joan Blondell to assist in a murder mystery in a spooky house. Or is it a suicide? I never did understand what the sleazy looking/acting doctor was up to, but apparently, he was just a sleazy guy and not a murderer.

South of Suez (1940) I watched this for Lee Patrick, but she's only in the beginning and end of the film. At least, I think. I watched this film over a few days, lost my place one time, and later fell asleep. Maybe I need another try.