Passion Flower

When MGM started casting for this movie, its own stars were on other assignments and hence Kay Frances was borrowed from Paramount studios to play the leading role. This movie is one for the ladies, a typical Kathleen Norris romantic novel scripted to fit into a typical Kay Frances movie. Dulce (Kay Frances) falls in love with Dan Wallace (Charles Bickford), the family chauffeur against her father's wishes. When Dan is about to divorce his wife (played by Kay Johnson), he will receive a letter form his wife and have a change of heart. Hit by the memories of his loving wife and family, he goes home for a happy ending. Dulce is heartbroken under several yards of mink. William De Mille directed this drama with Martin Flavin, Laurence Johnson and Edith Fitzgerald screenplay. Lewis Stone and Zasu Pitts are outstanding in supporting roles

I'm really not a Kay Francis fan. I find her very unappealing and extremely lacking in talent. As Passion Flower starts, it doesn't seem like Kay is the lead, but her part increases as the movie continues. Kay's cousin, Kay Johnson, is really the lead, since her character is more central to the story, but Kay Francis is still supposed to be the wildly attractive, irresistible one.

Kay Johnson comes from a wealthy family, but she falls in love with the poor chauffer, Charles Bickford. She gets cast out of her family when they marry, but they're too much in love to care. It's such an adorable beginning when they marry and get their first apartment. I've never seen Charlie in such a sweet, adorable role. They're both happy and in love, and they don't care about living in an attic with tiny rooms. As soon as they tell the landlady they'll take the room, they dig in their pockets to see how much money they have. After the first week's rent, they have ten dollars left in the whole world. "Now, I'll get a job," Charlie declares, opening the newspaper. It's so optimistic and sweet, as if they're gracing the world with their presences.

Then Kay Francis shows up and ruins everything. She pretends to be supportive of her cousin's choice, but she has an ulterior motive. The years pass, and the newlyweds struggle along with a low-paying job and two small children, and still Kay Francis-who's married to the wealthy, tolerant Lewis Stone-meddles. I know Charlie's a cutie-pie, with his brown curly hair and his gruff voice, but leave him alone! If you want to find out which Kay gets the guy, rent Passion Flower. You'll get to see Ray Milland in one of his first roles, as a drunken party guest who can't find his hat.

Kay Johnson is Cassy, who marries Dan, the family chauffeur ( Charles Bickford). Dan is stubborn, and at first, won't accept any presents or kindness from cousin Dulce (Kay Francis). we sure spent a LONG time seeing how Dan and Cassy lived not accepting any kindness from others. it wasn't pretty. later, Dan and Dulce fall for each other, although they are both still married to others. Zasu Pitts is the landlord turned housekeeper, who seems to have moved in with them. she shows up now and then with town gossip. or something. when Dan and Dulce fall in love, they talk about how much they will be hurting others. even Cassy says Dan should be with Dulce if he loves her. Will things ever work out so they can be together? Dulce thinks she has things all worked out, but maybe not. some fun uncredited roles -- Aubrey Smith, always the old, stately gentleman is Man on Pier, and Ray Milland is Man with Letter. directed by Bill DeMille, brother of the more famous Cecil. he was a very successful playwright. story by Kathleen Norris.

I really liked this movie. I thought it was an interesting study of human nature. You never know what someone is thinking or who will betray you no matter how well you think you know them. As for the comment about the performances being "wooden" you have to think about the time in which it was made. They were just coming out of silent films where they acted on a different level than with "talkies". It was a relatively new era in film. I thought that Kay Francis was lovely in this and that she was a truly beautiful woman. I don't know a great deal about her personal life but as for her movies I have become a dedicated fan. I'm in no way a film expert or aficionado but I know what I like and can move past certain elements to see the nuances of the story and characters. I don't think this was rubbish at all.

I just reviewed "The Show-Off" which has a similar - Irish vs. WASP thing going. In Passion Flower it is a bit more subtle, but Kay Francis is still most definitely the other - liberal, louche, a free-thinker.

In reading the other reviews, I note the historical value mentioned about the depression. This movie scores an 8 for me because of the priceless line about the battle of the sexes.

And of course it is Zazu delivering it - I think someone should gather her speaking roles in all her bit parts and string 'em together, end-to-end.

As I recall (I saw the move several years ago, but believe I watched this scene several times, I was so wowed by it), Zazu is mopping the floor and chatting "men trouble" with Kay Johnson. "I don't know about men," says Zazu. "They can be handy during the day and entertaining at night, but that's about it. I don't know about men." HANDY DURING THE DAY and ENTERTAINTING AT NIGHT? Now don't that just sum up the plight of 21st century manhood? And Zazu figured it out in 1930! Evewryone should watch this movie for that one scene. It is one of the best.