Personal Property (film)

Personal Property is a 1937 American romantic comedy film starring Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor and directed by W.S. Van Dyke. It is based on the play The Man in Possession by H. M. Harwood which had previously been made into a film The Man in Possession by MGM. It was the last film released with Harlow in it during her lifetime.

Personal Property
Theatrical release poster
Directed byW.S. Van Dyke
Produced byJohn W. Considine Jr.
Screenplay byHugh Mills
Ernest Vajda
Based on1930 play The Man in Possession
by H.M. Harwood
StarringJean Harlow
Robert Taylor
Music byFranz Waxman
Edward Ward
CinematographyWilliam H. Daniels
Edited byBen Lewis
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • March 19, 1937 (1937-03-19)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$299,000[1]
Box office$1,731,000[1]

Synopsis

Raymond Dabney (Robert Taylor) gets out of prison and is welcomed home by his mother (Henrietta Crosman); but his father (E. E. Clive) and brother Claude Dabney (Reginald Owen) offer him money to go away. Raymond likes London, and his mother tells him that Claude is engaged. Raymond goes out and meets Crystal Wetherby (Jean Harlow). He joins her box at the opera; but she leaves, and he follows. She is pestered by bill collectors, and Raymond meets a Bailiff (Forrester Harvey) at her door. A policeman tells Crystal that Raymond has a writ to stay there and make sure no one takes the furniture. Crystal's maid Clara (Una O'Connor) approves of marrying for money. Crystal tells Raymond that her husband shot the trophies and gives him his large pajamas, scaring him into the butler's room.

Raymond brings Crystal breakfast; but she tries to get rid of him. Claude calls Crystal, and she tells Raymond that her fiancé's parents are coming for dinner. Raymond offers to "butle" as Ferguson for her, and they practice with Crystal playing Catherine Burns and Lord Carstairs. Raymond learns his family is coming, and he announces them. Claude tells Raymond to clear out. Catherine Burns (Maria Shelton) and Mrs. Burns (Cora Witherspoon) arrive, followed by absent-minded Lord Carstairs (Lionel Braham) and mumbling Arthur (Barnett Parker). Raymond serves cocktails, and Claude tells Crystal they can marry and share their possessions. Claude and Mr. Dabney say they are in ladies underwear. Catherine tries to flirt with Ferguson, but he is too busy. Claude says the best investment is marriage. Raymond spills food on Claude, who demands he leave. After the other guests leave, Claude tells Crystal that Raymond just got out of prison. Raymond says he will leave if Crystal asks him; but she says he can stay so he won't lose his job. She thanks Raymond for not exposing her. Crystal sends Clara to bed and washes dishes as Raymond dries them. Raymond tells Crystal that Catherine wants to hire him, and Catherine calls. Raymond and Crystal pretend to have a picnic and say good-night.

In the morning Claude asks Raymond to leave before Crystal finds out who he is, and Raymond agrees for 500 pounds. Raymond asks Crystal about the wedding, and they quarrel because she is marrying for money. Before the wedding Raymond tells the bailiff the bill is paid. Raymond shows Claude the writ as men remove furniture. Raymond offers to explain to Crystal for Claude that he was a fortune hunter. Raymond tells Crystal that Claude is not marrying her, and they kiss.

Cast

Box office

According to MGM records the film made $1,086,000 in the US and Canada and $645,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $872,000.[1]

References
  1. The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
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