THE WORKING MAN (1933) Warner Bros. (78 minutes)
The Working Man was Arliss' second to last film for Warners and his second with Bette Davis. This is another sparkling, fun comedy, fast-paced and fascinating. As with his prior film, The Millionaire, the premise of a busy corporation owner (here John Reeves of Reeves Shoes, in the latter James Alden of Alden Autos) taking a "vacation" from work and getting a new perspective on life, as well as dabbling incognito in the lives of others, works as a solid blueprint for the Arliss personality.
Although he primarily appeared in dramas, both historical and contemporary, Arliss' gift for comedy is his greatest asset in my opinion. Only six of his nineteen sound films register as comedies and they are every one a priceless gem. His timing, his vocal and facial expressions, all convey worlds of information to the audience a less gifted actor would have to force with exaggeration.
While on vacation, Reeves learns that the two children of his recently dead rival are gadabout, gay young things, reckless and senseless. Because of sentimentality (he was in love with the woman his rival married), he wheedles his way into the family, gains the children's trust, then as their new guardian, makes them tow the line, getting involved in the company and changing their irresponsible personal habits.
It is lots of fun, just as was The Millionaire, and Arliss is again having the time of his life pul in a dual role. For the first eleven minutes he has to sustain a fast-paced active irritation at his business situation and pulls it off without flagging. In support, Bette Davis is vibrant, energetic, full of life in a light romantic role. As her brother, the ruggedly handsome Theodore Newton (unknown to me) is a hoot and possesses perfect comic timing. He should have gone far.
A couple of bits of fun. At the end of The Millionaire, Arliss' character extols "the working man" which of course is the title of the current film. In this also the rival shoe companies are referred to as the Napoleon and the Wellington of foot wear. Arliss would later play Wellington in The Iron Duke.
All in all, a wonderful comedy that subtly teaches a lesson about responsibility and caring for others. Highly recommended.
The Working Man was Arliss' second to last film for Warners and his second with Bette Davis. This is another sparkling, fun comedy, fast-paced and fascinating. As with his prior film, The Millionaire, the premise of a busy corporation owner (here John Reeves of Reeves Shoes, in the latter James Alden of Alden Autos) taking a "vacation" from work and getting a new perspective on life, as well as dabbling incognito in the lives of others, works as a solid blueprint for the Arliss personality.
Although he primarily appeared in dramas, both historical and contemporary, Arliss' gift for comedy is his greatest asset in my opinion. Only six of his nineteen sound films register as comedies and they are every one a priceless gem. His timing, his vocal and facial expressions, all convey worlds of information to the audience a less gifted actor would have to force with exaggeration.
While on vacation, Reeves learns that the two children of his recently dead rival are gadabout, gay young things, reckless and senseless. Because of sentimentality (he was in love with the woman his rival married), he wheedles his way into the family, gains the children's trust, then as their new guardian, makes them tow the line, getting involved in the company and changing their irresponsible personal habits.
It is lots of fun, just as was The Millionaire, and Arliss is again having the time of his life pul in a dual role. For the first eleven minutes he has to sustain a fast-paced active irritation at his business situation and pulls it off without flagging. In support, Bette Davis is vibrant, energetic, full of life in a light romantic role. As her brother, the ruggedly handsome Theodore Newton (unknown to me) is a hoot and possesses perfect comic timing. He should have gone far.
A couple of bits of fun. At the end of The Millionaire, Arliss' character extols "the working man" which of course is the title of the current film. In this also the rival shoe companies are referred to as the Napoleon and the Wellington of foot wear. Arliss would later play Wellington in The Iron Duke.
All in all, a wonderful comedy that subtly teaches a lesson about responsibility and caring for others. Highly recommended.