 [Larger view] | The Princess Comes Across
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 "She started yellin' for her Mamma and then ran out!" | |
| "The Princess Comes Across" is definitely in the second tier of Lombard films, but well-made and worth renting for fans. Lombard stars as ordinary showgirl Wanda, aka "Princess Olga". With a fake Swedish accent (which Lombard pulls off very nicely) and a friend and fellow thespian posing as a lady-in-waiting, Wanda gets a free crossing on an ocean liner and a film contract waiting for her in Hollywood. Unfortunately, a body turns up in her stateroom and the ruse becomes dangerous, especially when bandleader and concertina-fancier Fred McMurray gets involved. It's all pretty silly, but harmless enough with a few snappy lines and a host of character actors brightening the mix. McMurray and Lombard don't have much chemistry, but the costumes are glamorous and we do get to hear Fred sing. Pretty much a renter, but enjoyable. GRADE: B- | |
 A classic 'Thirties comedy | |
| Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray co-star in this swell screwball comedy in which Lombard, a down and out American actor posing as European royalty, comes up against MacMurray, a brash, wisecracking big band musician who casts a cynical eye on her masquerade. They, um, fall in love eventually, (duh!) but the hijinks and sharp quips in between are quite enjoyable. A classic! Plus, you get a chance to see MacMurray portray a tough guy, as well as sing and play the concertina! Lombard is a total dish, too. | |
| VINTAGE LOMBARD COMEDY | |
| An engaging little film from 1936. THE PRICESS COMES ACROSS adroidly combined a whodunit by Philip MacDonald with a romantic comedy novel by Louis Lucien Rogger, to give Lombard and MacMurray and delicious successor to their previous 1935 hit HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE. It took six writers to make up a brilliant script (for once, too many cooks didn't make hash!) Carole is a Brooklyn showgirl who took a third-class trip to Europe from which she returns first-class.............On the way back to the states, Carole assumes the idenity of a Swedish princess in the hopes of being discovered as a new Garbo! A zany comedy thriller with plenty of jokes has our Carole pose as royalty on an ocean voyage on a luxury liner where she meets romantic MacMurray; they soon become embroiled in a whodunit! This deft blend of satire, comedy and mystery is interesting for Lombard's obvious poke at Garbo and there's William (Fred Mertz) Frawley in rare form as Benton. William K. Howard directed Arthur Hornblow Jr.'s production and kept things skimming along at a fine rate of knots - to top it off, MacMurray even sings a little ditty entitled MY CONCERTINA. |
