I thought it would be fun to present a few reviews from critics of the day. Just imagine, a movie where both Cary Grant and Randolph Scott were billed second to Nancy Carroll. Wow!!
Here's what Modern Screen had to say:
" Nancy Carroll (looking adorable)quite innocently gets into a jam with a handsome playboy. Scurrilous small-town tongues tend to heighten it to a sensational scandal and to save herself from utter disgrace, Nancy promises to marry an old school-friend who happens to light into town. When he gets wise to the scandal brewing he calls everything off. Cary Grant and Randolph Scott both do a nice piece of acting -- but it's Nancy's picture. "
And here's what Photoplay said:
" Amusing, but just that and no more, this one trips gaily along without getting anywhere. You are neither for nor against Cary Grant, the city slicker, but you hope, in lackadaisical fashion that Nancy Carroll, the cutest girl in the village, will marry her childhood sweetheart, Randolph Scott. Just as you are wondering when the climax is coming, the picture ends. "
Hot Saturday
Watching this film is a good antidote for any feelings of nostalgia you may hold for small town life. Here, the people are small-minded and unforgiving. When good girl Nancy Carroll becomes the subject of untrue gossip, nearly everyone, from her moralizing employer to her own selfish mother, turns on her.
When the Film Forum in New York City screened this as part of their Joy of Pre-Code series in Summer 1999, they promoted the startlingly frank ending. This isn't the only adventurous aspect of the film; I couldn't believe the scene where Nancy wakes up to find herself covered with only a blanket, and her beautifully played surprise as she realizes who undressed her. They weren't kidding about the ending, however, it's a real shock.
It's Nancy's performance that makes the payoff so effective, though. Her intelligence and self-assurance transform the character from a wronged-girl stereotype into something quite unusual for the period: a thoughtful young woman making her own choices in a bad situation. Her performance (and presence) is very modern. In fact, this is the film that made me a fan.
-Shawn Stone
If I may play around with, and twist a famous quote, an alternate title for this movie could have been " Hell Hath No Fury as a Man Scorned ". Basically, when one of Nan's suitors fails to " get over " on her, he sets out to ruin her reputation by spreading malicious rumors that she spent the night with wealthy playboy Cary Grant. Not only does this mean-spirited manuever ruin her reputation, it causes her to lose her bank job for immorality. When her childhood sweetheart ( Randolph Scott) returns to town unexpectedly, she becomes engaged to him without mentioning the gossip that has circulated through the town about her. When Randy learns about it he breaks their engagement. Then Nancy does go home with Cary. Although the next day Randy has second thoughts about having broken off their enagagement, it's too late. Nan and Cary are off to New York to be married. Or are they ?