Rich Man, Poor Girl (1938) User Reviews (15)

Enjoyable fluff.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 27 March 2011]

Ruth Hussy is the secretary to her rich boss (Robert Young). Suddenly, out of the blue, they realize how much they love each other and plan to marry. But first, he needs to meet her family. During this kooky meeting, it becomes obvious to Ruth that her working-class background is so completely unlike Young's upper-crust world that they should slow down--and wait to marry. So, to help things along, Young decides to 'slum it'--to hang with her family and get to know them better. However, some of her family are pretty annoying and what will happen when Young tries to help out and improve their lives? Oddly, his kind gestures aren't always appreciated.

This is a pretty enjoyable comedy with some fun performances. However enjoyable though, it is a bit uneven and is not a great comedy--just a nice one that fans of old films will likely like. When you watch, get a load of Lana Turner before her big Hollywood makeover. She sure looked very, very different--and a lot more natural.

Nothing special but worth catching for the cast

[jjnxn-1 · 7/10 · 12 August 2013]

Mild social commentary comedy drama is of more interest for its cast than the rather facile situations it presents. A bread and butter feature of the kind that all the studios churned out to fill a double bill and feature their stable of promising newcomers and reliable character actors this one is packed full of actors and actresses that went on to better things.

Without a doubt the person who made the biggest splash following this is Lana Turner in her nascent phase here. She's sweet, still a brunette and full of the dewy youth and kittenish sexuality she exuded in the early phase of her career before changing into a harder article after The Postman Always Rings Twice, not fully in the spotlight but definitely holding the screen. The other person who would emerge with a major career is Robert Young but he'd have to wade through years as a second string leading man before hitting the top in TV. He's competent and charming as ever but his character isn't too clearly defined. Another fine performer-Ruth Hussey, still a few years away from The Philadelphia Story, isn't really given a very strong character either for someone who is supposed to be the lead but she is an appealing presence as always.

For the supporting cast the always reliable Guy Kibbee is on hand as Ruth's kind father and the ill-fated Rita Johnson is saucy as Young's sister. The standout in support however and not in a good way is Lew Ayers jackass cousin Henry. Through no fault of the actor the character grates every second he's on the screen and it's only because of Ayer's natural charm that he is even mildly bearable.

The picture is in no way special but still worth catching once for seeing the type of quality cast Metro was able to assemble for even the most ordinary script.

Better than expected from a B film

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 9 April 2011]

There are two things interesting about this film. First off, a particularly strong cast for a B picture. The second thing that is interesting about this film is that it is a switch on an engagement of a rich man and a poor girl -- it's the poor folk who are the snobs here (well, not all of them, but that's really the point of the film).

Robert Young was excellent here, and it reminds me that I often wondered why he wasn't more successful in films (of course, that lack of success led to one of the most successful careers in television, so who's complaining?). Here he plays the rich man who wants to marry the somewhat poor girl...his secretary.

Ruth Hussey is the female lead -- the secretary. She's also excellent here.

And then you have the supporting roles. Lana Turner in a very different role for her, and she's so young here it's almost difficult to recognize her. When she was older, I liked Lana Turner very much, but I was not particularly impressed here with her one especially big scene' it just seemed forced.

Guy Kibbee (always a welcome face in film) plays the father here, and it works just right.

Lew Ayres plays the ne'er do well brother who is always losing a job and who really dislikes the rich. He comes across as a whiner. His role is sometimes a bit like oin "Holiday", but in "Holiday" it worked...here it doesn't.

Sarah Padden is wonderful as the very common-sense mother.

The film would be much better if they chopped the first 5 or so minutes off. It starts off terribly and irrelevantly. It gets much better as Young is introduced to the family (except for the reaction of Lew Ayres) and goes to live with them in their middle class apartment for a few days. It all seems rather lighthearted, but the mood changes drastically toward the end of the film...and then...

Definitely a B film, but an interesting one...just ignore the opening scenes.

Meet the Thayers, the Great Working Class

[JLRMovieReviews · 7/10 · 2 February 2012]

Ruth Hussey works for Robert Young and is preparing to go on vacation, so she instructs Virginia Grey what to do and how and when to do it in her absence. But then Bob enters the office and we see that Bob and Ruth are more than boss and secretary. Long story short, she doesn't go on her vacation after all, when Bob on the spot proposes to her. But, after missing her train, instead of jumping in with both feet, her pride gets in the way and she tells him they need to wait, because essentially they come from different backgrounds. So he decides, in order to understand her point of view, he must live with her family for a spell. Enter Ruth's zany family, especially Lew Ayres, who plays a cousin and who is constantly spouting off about "the great working class." Picture this. A rich man needs his appendix out. No problem. He can pay it. A poor man needs his appendix out. No problem. He's poor and not expected to pay. But the working class, woe is him. He's always behind the eight ball with bills and an operation he's expected to pay and go in debt because of it. This film is never dull and is very stimulating with constant bickering between him and sister Lana Turner, who dreams of a plush life, with nice things and keeps calling their place "a dump." Lana makes the most of her supporting role and gives a great performance, especially in her big crying scene. It could be said that she stands out as the highlight of the film, aside from Lew's tirades. (Lana had already been in the Andy Hardy series at this point and would make two more pictures with costar Lew Ayres. Lana's stardom was definitely on the ascendant. And, by the way, this is the first time she and costar Virginia Grey would be in the same picture together. Ms. Grey would be Lana's most frequent costar in her career.) Guy Kibbee is the father, who works in a hardware school and the mother loves the sea, as her ancestors were whalers. From stimulating conversation about "the great working class" and health reform (ideas still relevant today) and the chaotic life it appears the Thayers live, this short film delivers a punch and will leave you pleasantly fulfilled. "Rich Man, Poor Girl" is a stepping stone in the career of Lana Turner that has gotten lost in the shuffle, but its ideas are timeless and its characters are too vivid to forget.

delightful cast in a so-so movie

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 24 January 2014]

I guess "Rich Man, Poor Girl" is supposed to be akin to "You Can't Take it With You" in that the Thayers are kind of whacko.

This is a pleasant film about a wealthy man, Bill Harrison (Robert Young), who falls in love with his secretary, Joan Thayer (Ruth Hussey). She is a member of the Great Working Class.

When she brings him home to meet the family, Joan realizes how far apart they are in terms of class and upbringing. She thinks they should wait to marry. To move the date sooner, Harrison moves in with the family. But when he tries to help them, his generosity isn't always well received.

Lana Turner plays Helen, Joan's sister. Here she's probably 17 or 18 and adorable. Helen is thrilled that there's going to be a rich man in the family and can't wait. Her cousin Henry (Lew Ayres) is constantly giving bombastic lectures about the curse of "the great working class" and boy, does he sound timely. His speeches could be written today. For instance, he complains that a poor man can walk into a hospital and be treated, a wealthy man can afford to be treated, but what about the middle class? He has to pay and it could easily wipe him out.

This is certainly a lively film, with Turner a standout. It's light but fun.

Very funny and cute

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 15 April 2019]

Usually, these types of movies are made to glamorize life in the lower class while condemning the ignorant rich, but in Rich Man, Poor Girl, the effect is just the opposite. Robert Young stars as a millionaire businessman who falls in love with his poor secretary, Ruth Hussey. He wants to get married right away, but she has the good sense to wait, insisting that when she marries, she wants to be sure she knows her spouse well enough to know they'll stay married. When he meets her low-class family, including parents Guy Kibbee and Sara Padden, silly sister Lana Turner, and outspoken radical brother Lew Ayres, he realizes there's quite a culture shock between their two lifestyles.

Bob is prepared to make their relationship work, so he moves into their very tiny, thin-walled, overheated apartment and tries to win every family member over one by one. The amount of effort he puts into Ruth's family is incredible, especially as he continually turns the other cheek when they insult him. In particular, Lew is very rude and not made out to have an admirable character, which serves as a great foil for Bob's character: a millionaire with a heart of gold.

This movie is very cute, funny, and will make anyone wish Robert Young would join their family. He's an ideal son- and brother-in-law, not to mention fiancé! Hopeless romantics will love this forgotten classic.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There's a scene where Robert Young takes everyone sailing, and the camera movements will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

Another Story Of Class Differences...

[xerses13 · 6/10 · 24 March 2011]

During the 1930s' and the Great Depression Hollywood seemed to need too exclaim some sort of social conscience. Many of these films were meant to show that the 'Rich' could fall in love with the poor and they were not much different then the rest of us. Particularly if the 'Poor Girl', was attractive, well dressed and spoken and her 'seams' were always straight.

RUTH HUSSEY filled the 'Poor Girl' role in 'Rich Man, Poor Girl' (1938). ROBERT YOUNG, the boss and 'Rich Man' who falls in love, wants to marry her and bring her up to his speed. Which by the way IS her speed. The conflict, is that the POOR GIRLs' family is a bunch of boobs, save for the Mother who had married beneath her for love. The worst of the lot is a Cousin played by LEW AYRES. He feels the need to dispense 'lunatic left' philosophy whenever the opportunity presents itself in the guise of representing the great (and unspoken) middle class. Not holding onto a job during the Great Depression is supposed to be one of his endearing traits. Did not play well then and does not in the early 21st Century.

While HUSSEY and YOUNGs' character are sympathetic and the Mother SARAH PADDEN rings true the rest are just stereotypes. A young LANA TURNER of course is always worth looking at, but LEW AYRES character is not. He had been placed in this type of role before, if not him, HENRY FONDA or JAMES STEWART. They infest themselves with a-lot of Politically Correct social conscience (nonsense), but NO real solutions for any problems. Fortunetly common sense and true love win out in the end and everybody lives 'happyly ever after'. Wish all problems of the World could be solved as easily as in this movie.

Lovely Lana.

[DeepJedi · 9 March 2001]

After first being awestruck over Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice, I was eager to see any film she appeared in. Rich Man, Poor Girl appeared without fuss on television and a part of my heart was stolen by a black and white image! Oh the wonder of film. I recall the film as being 'worthwhile' even if you weren't in Love with Lana but I was left wishing I had recorded it! I looked the film up afterwards in my movie guide and it said that the film is remarkable only as a record of Lana Turner's beauty, describing her as radiant. I agree wholeheartedly. Imagining the film with another actress in Lana's role, I can only see an average film.

Lana makes every single one of today's screen beauties fade into mediocrity by comparison. See this film if you want to see a bona fide legendary screen beauty in full bloom.

Nice to see à family where everyone is important.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 22 December 2023]

A great ensemble doesn't waste anyone, giving strong moments to the parents (Guy Kibbee and Sarah Padden), three grown children (Ruth Hussey, Lana Turner and Lew Ayres) and potential son-in-law (Robert Young), Hussey's boss. She's about ready to go om vacation, and after training temp secretary Virginia Grey, realizes what a shambles the office would be when she got back, she decides she isn't going. Young decides that there's not going to be a vacation, but a honeymoon.

The conflict occurs when Young decides to get to know Hussey's family and moves in with then, finding comflict from activist Ayres and clingy motherly support by Padden. Also getting involved is Young's sister (Rita Johnson), concerned when her brother announces that he's giving up all his money which causes more problems. A mixture of social comedy and family drama gives the elder Kibbee and Padden some poignant drama and Turner the opportunity to attempt an explosive dramatic scene. The MGM gloss gives this lower budget A picture some charm, but the varying moods of the film is frequently overwrought. Interesting as a historical piece, being Turner's first genuinely large role, even though her darker hair makes her somewhat unrecognizable.

Is this a comedy or drama?

[malcolmgsw · 5/10 · 5 August 2005]

Maltins book indicates that this is an imitation of"You Cant Take It With You".Given that i was never keen on that film my worst fears were realised.This is a bit of a mess as it lurches uncomfortably from comedy to drama and back again.The highlight of this film is a dark haired Lana Turner giving some indication of the star she would become within the next couple of years.Given that she does not have the poise of a star yet makes her performance that much more appealing.When she is on the screen lights up,when she is not the film becomes tiresome particularly the wild overacting of Lew Ayres who was rather more suited to the sobre role of Dr Kildare that he was about to take on.As for the leads well the less said the better.

Lana's fine, but the film is actually interesting

[larrywest42 · 8/10 · 15 August 2006]

Even though it's lighthearted, this film does touch on several issues that were important at the time: joblessness, income inequity, old age. It's only about six inches deep, but most movies at the time were only about an inch deep.

And Ruth Hussey holds her own against Lana Turner (who does a creditable acting job, by the way).

The only downside [** spoiler alert **]...

...is...

... the ending. In the space of three or four minutes, most of the characters surrendered their principles, on which the entire movie is based. Very disappointing, as if the author/playwright/screenwriter ran out of time and wrapped things up quickly and sloppily.

But overall, a mostly enjoyable film, with a glance at social problems.

Perpetuating the myth of millionaires with hearts of gold . . .

[oscaralbert · 5/10 · 27 December 2020]

. . . always has been Tinsel Town's main reason to be. The Many Greedy Mobsters outfit behind RICH MAN, POOR GIRL has been the most egregious purveyor of this malignant malarkey for nearly a century. By churning out one smelly load of carp after another, these nefarious nabobs have created multi-generation legions of deluded core supporters that are carbon copies of this fractured fable's Thayer Family, only too eager to bow and scrape and climb through the yawning oven doors for their own cremation. It's reminiscent of the most popular cheer heard at Ma So Chasm High School football games: "Kill me again, kill me again, harder, harder!" Unfortunately, more than half of the 600,000 U.S. citizens currently being culled by rich prigs like Bill Harrison in 2020-21 are unwilling participants in their own destruction, brought up too well to believe in failed game show host "billionaires" and similar fantastic fairy tales for the demonically-possessed loser crowd.

Rich Man, Poor Gal-It's All in the Family that Matters ***1/2

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 16 August 2013]

This wonderful 1938 film depicts the basic differences between upper and lower class families when the wealthy Robert Young falls deeply in love with his secretary, Ruth Hussey. Hussey speaks and acts as if she is upper class. Yet, she is devoted to her family and will not wed the Young character until he gets to know her family better.

She may not have come from a rich family, but she sure came from a family with close ties building a foundation of love.

Lew Ayres steals the film as the nephew who came to live with the family at the age of 14. He certainly shows extreme socialist views as he goes from one job to another. Lana Turner,as Hussey's sister, is great as the sister longing for a better life.

With it all, people are people and love shall ultimately conquer all-even when there are great economic differences among the people.

10/10

[verakomarov · 10/10 · 16 October 2021]

The wealthy entrepreneur wants to marry his secretary, but must first get along with her middle-class family.

How She Landed On Millionaire? What About You Guys?

Best Movie Ever.

Family economics

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 30 April 2023]

Several things happen in this trifle. First, while it's a vehicle for MGM star Robert Young, who's paired alongside Ruth Hussey in the lead female role, this is also an attempt by studio execs to promote ingenue Lana Turner. Miss T (or should I call her Miss TnT) is dynamite in her scenes as Hussey's kid sister. She gets all the best lines, important close-ups and even a dramatic scene is thrown in for good measure so that she can demonstrate her "range."

Yes, it's clear that Lana Turner was being groomed by the bosses for big things at Metro. A few years later, she'd play a lead role with Robert Young in SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS. But here the main story arc focuses on Young's plans to wed Hussey.

Their engagement is thwarted, because Hussey's family is eccentric and nothing ever works out the way it's supposed to with them. Shades of YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Though she loves Young, Hussey isn't sure he will still want to get married after spending a few eventful weekends on her parents' living room sofa.

Some of the plot is illogical. For instance, we're told that Hussey has been working in Young's office for several years...and yet, he knows zilch about her family or background in all this time? A bit hard to believe.

Also, why does he think that his wife-to-be will still want to marry him when some of his ignorance and stupidity regarding the lower classes is exposed? Love is supposed to conquer all, but in this case, it has a miracle to perform.

The best part of the picture includes the supporting cast. Guy Kibbee is at his usual best as the patriarch who is often down on his luck. Meanwhile, Rita Johnson is also on hand as Young's well-meaning sister. She's extremely concerned that brother dear wants to give their fortune away, when Hussey's relatives influence him to start helping the poor.

In addition to these contract players, we have Lew Ayres in the role of Hussey's politically motivated cousin. It would be putting it mildly to call him a communist. He wastes no time sharing his radical views on social class injustice.

You might say Ayres' character is the polar opposite of Lana Turner's-- since she is totally on board with Young marrying Hussey, as it will grant her access to upper class society. After all, she hopes to snag a rich hubby of her own.

RICH MAN POOR GIRL is directed by German expatriate Reinhold Schunzel, himself an actor who knows how to elicit performances from the cast. The production is a remake of Metro's talkie THE IDLE RICH, which had featured lovely Leila Hyams in the part that Hussey plays. THE IDLE RICH seldom airs on TCM, though it was broadcast when Hyams received a Summer Under the Stars tribute a few years ago. Both films are worth checking out.