Nutshell Reviews: No Man of Her Own (1932)

In a Nutshell: No Man of Her Own (1932)

Directed by: Wesley Ruggles

Co-stars: Carole Lombard, Dorothy Mackaill, Grant Mitchell

Synopsis: Gable is Jerry “Babe” Stewart, a crooked card shark on the run from a police investigator when he stops in on the sleepy small town of Glendale. There he meets the bored town librarian, Connie Randall (Lombard) who is just waiting for something exciting to happen to her. Their attraction is instant, although she tries to play hard to get. On the flip of a coin, they get married and she accompanies him back To New York, unaware of his seedy occupation.  When she does figure out how he earns his money, she insists that he could play it straight if he wanted to. But he is conflicted–is he willing to give up his lifestyle for the woman he loves?

Best Gable Quote: “That twinkle in your eye–wrap it up for me, will you?”

Fun Fact: Miriam Hopkins was originally cast for the female lead in the film, then titled No Bed of Her Own.When she balked at being billed below Gable, she was replaced by the less-demanding Lombard. At the film’s wrap party, Lombard gave Gable a ten pound ham with his picture pasted on it.

My Verdict: Let’s face it, this film could have a terrible script and a terrible plot and be outright god awful but Gable fans would still flock to see it because it is the only onscreen pairing of Clark and the love of his life, Carole Lombard. But, luckily for us all, it isn’t bad at all. In fact, it’s quite good. These two, although not interested yet off screen, do indeed have great chemistry. Clark is the perfect cocky swindler and while I doubt there were many small town librarians that looked like Carole, she is well suited to her role. The script is snappy and it’s got pre-code shots of Carole in her underwear and Clark in the shower! What more can you ask for? A must see–the future Mr. and Mrs. Gable, in all their glory!

It’s on DVD.

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