I thought the 2010's and 20's were the most shallow time in history with social media and people selling their souls for likes/upvotes. Having watched hundreds of movies from the 30's I'd say that era would give this one a run for its money. There were countless movies about high society men and women dating, dancing, drinking, partying, and cheating as if it was the thing to do. The biggest concerns were dinner dates, sable coats, and who was dating who.
I know that's a generalization, but it's true many movies were on the topic of high society trysts.
"Careless Lady" was one of those frivolous, shallow movies. A movie in which a woman's life isn't complete without a man so she uses questionable judgment to get one. In fact, "Careless Lady" was almost identical to "Lady with a Past" (1932) starring Constance Bennett.
Before I even go into "Careless Lady," let me give you a synopsis of "A Lady with a Past."
Venice Muir (Constance Bennett) was an unbearable bore which drove men away like vampires from garlic. It was a bit far-fetched because Venice was so attractive that realistically most men would feign interest in her just to be with her. But, in this make believe world, Venice's looks and money weren't enough to keep men around once she began talking about books.
She sailed to France where she met Guy Bryson (Ben Lyon). Guy was broke and Venice wanted to hire him as a gigolo (her words not mine). She needed a man with knowledge and experience to make her irresistible to men. It was a desperate move from a woman who really didn't need to do such a thing.
Guy was just the man to generate "likes" for Venice by intimating that she was in demand. Put her in some new duds, give her a new attitude, put a man on her arm, and voila--Venice was irresistible.
Now, let's move on to "Careless Lady."
Sally Brown (Joan Bennett) was virtually invisible to men. She had a bookish look and the clothes to match. Her cousin Ardis Delafield (Nora Lane) told her the secret to being desired.
"Sally, you're the old fashioned simple type. Nowadays sophistication is the (unclear--sounded like "qua"). Experience. Men aren't interested any longer in a sheet of virgin white paper. They want something with some writing on it," Ardis opined like a wise society sage.
Sally asked, "How does one get experience... in a nice way I mean?"
"Well, the only way to get experience in a nice way is to get married," Ardis answered.
So there you have it from a woman of experience. Get married, then get divorced, and every man will want you.
Both "Careless Lady" and "Lady with a Past" were wrong in their assertions, which was discovered by the end, but not after the women had gone through a transformation to become more attractive. It was quite the mixed signals.
As if the movie was saying, "No, a man doesn't want a woman with 'experience,' but he won't notice the woman unless she behaves like she's experienced."
And they say women are complicated.
Taking her cousin's advice in "Careless Lady," Sally pretended to be Mrs. Illington, wife of Stephen Illington (John Boles) while she traveled to France. Stephen had no idea a woman was parading around as his wife, but he found out when he just so happened to travel to France and stay at the exact same hotel as Sally. The sheer coincidence of it all strained believability.
Stephen was a good sport. He pretended to be her husband right away, which isn't really what Sally wanted. She wanted the "Mrs." title for the male interest, but she didn't want the husband that came with it. She kept shunning Stephen who genuinely liked her. And to show how much he liked her he even threatened to spank her, which is a sign a man cares about a woman (see "Professional Sweetheart," "Shopworn," and "Another Language").
Stephen's doting over Sally set up a ridiculously fairytale scenario.
Sally was told by Stephen and others that the man she was dining and dancing with had a bad rep around France. He was known to be predatory with women.
Sally ignored the warnings as though she was smart and savvy enough to fend off Rodriguez (Fortunio Bonanova). It was particularly maddening because we all know she was totally out of her element. Sure, she had a new look, a new manner of speaking, and a new attitude, but she wasn't at all what she appeared to be.
When Rodriguez asked her up to his room to "look at a painting that reminded him of her," she complied. A smarter woman would've recognized this as a cheap ploy to get her in his room. Once she was in there she was at his mercy, just as people had warned her. But have no fear, because Stephen Illington's Spidey sense was tingling and he knew she'd need rescuing. He followed her to Rodriguez's place, climbed the terrace, broke through his window, and punched him out and saved the girl. It was pure fairytale.
And pure hogwash.
The only thing Stephen was missing was a cape. Sally was appreciative, but not appreciative enough to sleep with Stephen. I guess she learned her lesson. But now Stephen was thoroughly smitten and he had to have her. He thought she was his until she snuck away from France leaving him frantic and perplexed.
No way is Hollywood going to allow the damsel in distress to get away from the hero?
Don't worry. He tracked her down, serenaded her, and got his prize.
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