An original, period comedy that's still very funny "Bride for Sale" is a very good comedy of mistaken assumptions, preposterous match-making, and table turning. It eventually develops into a love triangle with very funny shenanigans along the way. And, it has a screwy but delightful ending. Claudette Colbert, Robert Young and George Brent are just right for their lead parts. And, a supporting cast of some familiar names and faces and some knockout characters (literally) lend much humor. A former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Max Baer, is in the ring, not with gloves but as a wrestler. Gus Schilling and Charles Arnt have nice parts.
The film has an original plot and superb screenplay loaded with some very funny dialog. Brent is Paul Martin who owns a CPA firm that handles the taxes for several upper crust clients. After a former employee leaves to start his own business, Martin hires an Army major with many accolades for expertise, efficiency and superb work. He had no idea the major was a woman. Colbert's Nora Shelley had used her first initials to land the job. Martin doesn't think women belong in the business world, but he soon changes his tune. Shelley knows tax law, the rules and the business better than anyone. She gets his office in tip top shape and has clients lining up to see her.
But, Martin discovers that she has another plot of her own. She is out to find the perfect match for a mate. And she thinks she can do that by studying the tax records of Martin's wealthy clients. She says she will be able to find a man who is stable, can provide a nice home and be the perfect mate. Martin thinks its preposterous, and when an old schoolmate and pal, Steve Adams shows up, Martin enlists him in a ploy to dash Nora's theory. Shelley lived around the world, moving with her father who had been an oil wild-cater She has never had a real home for any period of time, and that's now her goal for the rest of her life. Adams is assistant curator of a large museum and an archaeologist. He has just returned from a major dig for a respite. He loves the field work and discoveries from digging in the dirt. Oh, yes, and Martin serves on the museum board of directors.
Well, it a fun film with some wacky scenes in places. One of the funniest is when Shelley interviews Adams. Just her technique of switching subjects and prying personal info out of him is hilarious. And, of course, he is already on to her as after talking with Martin ..
Steve Adams, "But I'm sure that this junior in your office here can handle it much better." Shelley, "Oh, no, Mr. Adams. Now that I've seen your tax picture more clearly, I think I'll handle you myself." Adams, "You do? Oh, but you're so busy, these corporations.." Shelley, "Oh, there's always room for one more."
Shelley, "You're not a married man, but perhaps you're planning on it?" Adams, "No. No plans. I, I'm quite content with my work, my books and music, and a night on the town now and then."
Shelly, "You must know some fascinating things about the ancient civilizations." Adams, "Some things I know fascinate me." Shelley, "I'm sure they would me too. I, I , uhm, trying to think of that famous head, uh, some queen. I saw it in Berlin. They're trying to get it back to Cairo." Adams, "Nefertiti." Shelley, "Oh, it's beautiful." Adams, "Yes, it is." Shelley, "So royal, so queeny. This is an irreversible trust, isn't it Mr. Adams?" Adams, "You mean uh? Yes, to me, and my family." Shelley, "Of which there is none." Adams, "That's right" Shelley, Oh, yours must be a wonderful life." Adams, "A little dull, perhaps."
Here are some more lines worth a laugh in this film.
Paul Martin, "Good morning, Gentry. Sorry I'm a little late." Gentry, "You're two days late. I bet you 5 to 1 that Miss Shelley would last three months. It's three months and four days, sir." Martin, "Fine. What price would you give me if she wouldn't last a year?" Gentry, "10 to 1." Martin, "I'll pay that too, in advance - and with pleasure."
Martin, "It's impossible to tell what any man is like from a set of figures. You can't add up a bunch of numbers and marry the total."
Shelley, "You don't seem to understand. I want a home. I've wanted one since was a child. I lived in 19 countries before I was 21 years old." Martin, "Restless, weren't you?" Shelley, "My father was. He was in the oil business - a wild-cater. After mother died, we went to Syria, then Egypt, China, Venezuela - living in tents in the desert, in jungles, in oil towns. Then after that, the war. Another cook's tour. More tents, barracks, Quonset huts. Believe me, Mr. Martin, I'll make a very good wife. I'd really appreciate a home and a husband." Martin, "But you're going about it the wrong way."
Martin, "No, she's a dish. Really, a dish. As a matter of fact, she just thinks she has an adding machine for a heart."
Sarah (Patsy Moran, uncredited), "I'd be a little suspicious about a guy that took me to a concert." Shelley, "Well, what's the matter with concerts?" Sarah, "Sound kinda cheap to me. Them concerts are loaded with free passes. Even piccolo players get stacks like that." She gestures a large stack in one hand. Shelley, "Sarah, I don't think he knows a piccolo player."
Sarah, "I like a man that makes a little investment in the date. If I'm gonna spend my time with him, he's gonna hafta spend a little somethin' too."
Adams, to his chauffeur, "Edward." Chauffeur, "Yes, sir?" Adams, "The Abdullanah Club." Chauffeur, "Very well, sir." Shelley, "The Abdullanah Club? I don't think I've ever heard of it." Adams, "Not many people have."