My Dear Secretary Reviews

Douglas had already established his dramatic acting potential in a few films and was eager to show that he could play comedy, so he chose to accept the role of a rakehell novelist in this trifling farce. Day is a secretary for book publisher Vallee who handles all of novelist Douglas' works. She gives up her steady but dull position to sign on as Douglas' secretary, but soon finds that it's not all beer and skittles. Douglas is a gambler, a womanizer, a horse bettor, and a man who thinks that a secretary is a toy who must also do double duty as a lover. Day can only take so much of Douglas' slovenly and caddish ways and she eventually gives him notice, but by this time, he's gaga over her and begins a chase that winds up in marriage. They move to a tranquil home in the quiet mountains and both begin writing novels. They finish their books simultaneously and Douglas is stung when his book is spurned and hers is sought after. No egotist worth his salt can handle that and the couple are quickly apart. Day would like to keep her husband and she deliberately won't allow her book to be printed, but it doesn't help as Douglas has been cut to the quick. Day resubmits the book and it's published to great critical reviews and monetary success, as well as a major award. Bates, Ryan, and Wynn get involved; they manage to get the couple together, and the picture ends happily. The comedy work from the supporting cast is far better than anything from Day and Douglas, and Wynn is excellent as Douglas' next door neighbor, a man who cooks, irons, bakes, and even helps his pal find women. A nice comedy turn from Mowbray and the usual chuckles from Grady Sutton, who was one of W.C. Fields's favorite straight men.