Hired Wife

The same year Myrna Loy had to invent a fake husband in order to save her professional career in Third Finger, Left Hand, Brian Aherne had to participate in a sham marriage to save his company in Hired Wife. While the two movies aren't exactly similar, there are similarities that make them both delightful. Whichever one you watch first, you won't think the other's a copycat; instead, you'll just want to make your evening a double feature!

Brian's a successful businessman who gets spring fever every year with a different blonde. His faithful and capable secretary, Rosalind Russell, is in love with him. She sees the flings come and go, and she's not above lending a hand to help them go faster. When his company is in jeopardy, his lawyer Robert Benchley suggests the only way to save it is to get married and put every asset in his wife's name. Brian wants to propose to his current sweetie-pie, Virginia Bruce, so he sends Roz while he tends to the paperwork. Roz isn't keen to see him marry another woman, so she just might louse up the proposal on purpose!

This movie is so delightful, it's bound to make a Rosalind Russell fan out of her biggest critic. I've never liked her very much, but she's very cute in this movie. It's not a screwball comedy, but it's smart and savvy with enough humor to have you laughing at every minute. Brian is handsome, clueless, forgiving, and hilarious; why else would Roz go through so much trouble to land him? For a very funny evening, or a perfect matinee day, check out Hired Wife.