mark.waltz When big city folk invade the New England town of Carvel for a big game, STG Janet Gaynor ends up on a sudden date with BTB Robert Taylor and after a night of champagne, ends up in front of a JIP. It's a definite case of WTH the next morning when they wake up in his car with a marriage license sitting between them. This Carvel is no relation to the home of Andy Hardy in the series which began the following year at MGM, but like some omen (bad or good), Lewis Stone is cast here as Taylor's very serious father. He's a doctor who works at a Boston clinic, and is involved with the snooty and selfish Binnie Barnes who agrees to go away for six months to avoid the scandal while Taylor and Gaynor pretend to be on their honeymoon and attempting to make their marriage work.Comedy erupts on Taylor's yacht as Gaynor deals with sea sickness, even though she's ordered the most magnificent of foods she feels are typical high society cuisine. But once they settle into their marriage, Gaynor's feelings become clear even though Barnes' sudden return from her trip means nights alone as he neglects her and the clinic (especially a young patient who adores him) and Barnes simply hangs up the phone when Gaynor desperately tries to get ahold of him. "Uncle Henry" Charley Grapewin is dapper here as the well dressed head of the clinic who has no faith in Taylor's future as a top doctor, thinking him a fool and warning Stone that he may not have a long future if his frivolous behavior continues.This is at its most entertaining during the first half, although at over 100 minutes, it does tend to drag a bit. At times, Gaynor's small own girl is totally like Esther Blodgett during the early scenes, even though she adds some glamour along the way covering provincial innocence that Barnes considers non-threatening. But classic Hollywood always gave the underdog the man, and while Taylor may seem at home in fancy nightclubs (the one in Carvel seems way out of place) and on yachts, he's certainly not going to find happiness with the selfish Binnie no matter how much she tries to manipulate him. It's no surprise to discover that "A Star is Born's" William Wellman directed this, and it would be Gaynor's next role which brought her screen immortality.Joining Taylor, Gaynor, Barnes and Stone are James Stewart as Gaynor's small town admirer (really given nothing to do), Nella Walker as Taylor's kindly society matron mother (who sees through Barnes and obviously would prefer Gaynor), as well as Frank Craven and Elizabeth Patterson as Gaynor's parents and Andy Devine as their son-in-law whose seemingly giant baby pelts everybody with rice pudding and potatoes. It's typical MGM light romantic fare where the praises of home and family explodes off the screen, city people are presented as pretentious and short-sighted to the rest of the world, and the sweet country folk are praised as only as Louis B. Mayer could demand them to be.

PudgyPandaMan I didn't like this film as much as the other reviewers. I love a good love story, but this one left me cold. I found the entire plot totally predictable, from beginning to end. There is not a single surprise throughout the entire movie. It almost became laughable predicting what was going to happen next.The cast, however, was quite good in their performances in spite of the script. So I give them kudos for making the most of it. Gaynor is very likable, so much so that you find yourself rooting for her. Taylor of course is smashingly good-looking, but also has an approachable charm to him that endeared him to so many movie fans. I think they did a horrible job on his makeup though. His eyebrows looked painted on and the eyeshadow was too noticeable at times. Binnie Barnes was easy to hate in her portrayal as the ruthless fiancé, so she did her role justice.I think the ending was worst of all. I hated that they brought Gaynor's boyfriend, Jimm Stewart, back in the picture and had him gushing over her again. She gives the impression she might be interested, only to have Taylor show up in his fast sports car and whisk her off. I think it makes women look flighty and trifling with men's hearts. I think it did Gaynor's likable character an injustice.

edwagreen Wonderful Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor comedy depicting the differences between the upper and middle classes of society.Gaynor longs for a life outside of her town and Taylor represents everything that she wants. Though meeting him in an unusual way, and marrying him while he is drunk, he turns his part as a total heel when he becomes sober. Reluctantly, she agrees to stay with him for 6 months in pretending that there is wedded bliss.We know that the picture shall be devoted to how the two will find their way to love despite there being Taylor's fiancée, nicely played by a bitchy Binnie Barnes. Despite his cruelty to his wife, Taylor shows an element of compassion in his treating of a brain injured child. Somehow that child will become the link that will bring this couple together and start Barnes packing.

Michael_Elliott Small Town Girl (1936) *** (out of 4) Charming Cinderella type story about a poor farm girl (Janet Gaynor) who goes out with a rich playboy (Robert Taylor) and after getting drunk the two are married. When they sober up they realize the mistake they've made but agree to stay married for six months so that the scandal won't ruin his career. Director Wellman handles the rather sappy story very well and the two stars really shine, which is the main reason this film works. Gaynor is very charming here and quite believable as the poor girl who gets caught up in something she didn't expect. Taylor is equally impressive and is able to be charming yet a jerk at the same time. The strong supporting cast includes Lewis Stone, Binnie Barnes, Andy Devine and James Stewart. The film runs a tad bit too long and is quite predictable but there's no denying the charm between the cast.