Bride by Mistake

After looking at the other reviews here, I guess I am the dissenting vote. I found this film to be disappointing. I think the script creates some wonderful characters, I just wish they had been in another film.

The story revolves around a wealthy woman, Norah Hunter (Laraine Day) who has her secretary stand in for her during official ceremonies. She wishes to meet and marry a man who appreciates her for herself, not for her money. She gets the bright idea of having her secretary, Sylvia (Marsha Hunt), pose as her during a social event. By throwing the faux Norah at any who show her attention, she can weed out the unworthy.

The problem is the potential suitor, Tony Travis (Alan Marshal), who is a lunkhead with ambiguous intentions. He is drawn to the money like a fly to honey. I won't mention how the story resolves, but Tony is not worthy of Norah regardless, so any tension is dissipated.

The story feels like the product of various writers who resolved their differences of opinion by flipping a coin. Too bad; it could have been funnier and more engaging.

I have been watching a lot of old movies recently on TMC and this is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time Yes its old Yes its Sortof Campy but i really enjoyed it, i first saw Alan Marshal in "Married and in love" and something about his cheesy charming act was entertaining, So i watched this film also. I am of an entirely different generation born in the 80's there is something timeless about this film, Screwing up everything with love is relatable, i wont give away the ending because the film keeps you guessing till the end and from what I've seen from that era that uncertainty of the plot for the audience is a rarity.

Well this is a good one i recommend it to anyone

Laraine Day stars with Alan Marshal, Marsha Hunt, and Allyn Joslyn in "Bride by Mistake," from 1944. This is a rehash of "The Richest Girl in the World" and maybe a few other films.

Day plays the world-famous heiress Norah Hunter, but no one sees her. Her secretary Sylvia (Hunt) poses at her at ship christenings, etc.

Sylvia is engaged to Phil Vernon (Joslyn), and she gives her notice so that she can be with him, as he is changing jobs and leaving town. Norah is due to marry soon and decides to move up the wedding so that Sylvia and Phil can attend. It doesn't work out because that night, her boyfriend dumps her. She's too rich. Like I suppose that happens.

When Norah meets Captain Anthony Travis, she's interested, but she doesn't want him knowing who she is - he might fall for her because she has money. She tests him by throwing Sylvia at him. And it turns into a big mess.

Pleasant comedy, with Day totally radiant and beautiful. I don't know why MGM couldn't come up with more for her to do - instead she was constantly loaned out. Marsha Hunt is delightful as Sylvia, and the rest of the cast is very good.

Enjoyable.

There certainly weren't any surprises in this fun movie, and you could practically predict the plot all the way through. Then bring in the absolutely gorgeous Laraine Day and the movie really has some energy in it. I love old movies and hadn't watched much of her, but I can see why she was so popular in her days. I have to say that I think Marsha Hunt is great too.

Soon after this film began, I had remembered seeing this story before in the form of "The Richest Girl in the World" with Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea. Aside from a few updates here and there (such as making the leading man an Army Air Corps flier recuperating from some unnamed illness or injury), the story is the same. There is a super-mega-rich lady (Laraine Day) who is a bit of a recluse. And, to shield her identity, her personal assistant (Marsha Hunt) poses as the rich heiress. However, when a dashing officer (Alan Marshall) begins to show attention to both Day and Hunt, Day is smitten--but unsure who he will choose--the one with the money or her (who actually has all the money). It's all very slight plot-wise and I still think the original is better--and more original! But the actors all do a good job (particularly Edgar Buchanan in a supporting role) and it's a nice pleasant diversion--a decent romantic comedy with some nice laughs and a very game cast.

By the way, while Alan Marshall looked quite nice in the film, he was an inexplicable choice as he was an Australian. Why this guy would be in the US military and not the Australian one is a puzzler...though the same could be said for many of Errol Flynn's films as well!