Bachelor's Affairs: A comedy of errors that feels surprisingly modern

Is it worth the time?

If you have a soft spot for pre-code cynicism and people making terrible life choices, then yes, Bachelor's Affairs is a fun little ride. It’s light, it’s fast, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. But if you’re looking for a deep, soul-searching romance, you’ll probably find this movie deeply annoying.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Bachelor's Affairs (1932) through its definitive frames.

The whole premise is built on the kind of doomed-from-the-start energy that makes for great comedy. Adolphe Menjou plays the millionaire who thinks he’s cleverer than he actually is. Watching him realize that 'gorgeous' doesn't always equal 'interesting' is the highlight here.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Bachelor's Affairs (1932) through its definitive frames.

The pacing is snappy, mostly because the movie knows it doesn't have much to say. It just wants to move from one awkward social disaster to the next. It’s nowhere near as epic as Winners of the Wilderness, but it works fine for a quiet afternoon.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Bachelor's Affairs (1932) through its definitive frames.

Oddly Specific Notes:

• The friend character is essentially the villain of the story, even if she’s just there for laughs.
• I spent most of the runtime wondering why Menjou’s character didn't just walk out the door.
• The dialogue is sharp, but some of the jokes about 'dumb blondes' feel pretty dusty by today’s standards.
• There’s a scene in a living room that goes on just a little too long, where the tension feels less like drama and more like the actors were waiting for their lunch break.

There’s a specific bit where he tries to set her up with another man, and it’s just painfully awkward to watch. It’s not 'cringe' in the modern sense; it’s just the feeling of a plan failing in slow motion. You can almost see the gears grinding in his head as he realizes he’s actually setting her up with someone who might be a better match than he was.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Bachelor's Affairs (1932) through its definitive frames.

The movie is remarkably light on plot, but it’s got enough character quirks to keep you paying attention. It’s definitely not high art, and it doesn't pretend to be. It feels like a quick sketch that someone decided to film just to see if the joke would land.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Bachelor's Affairs (1932) through its definitive frames.

Sometimes the black and white aesthetic makes everything look a bit more serious than it should. This isn't The Veiled Marriage, where the stakes feel heavy. Here, it’s just messy people being messy. 🍸