Lend Me Your Husband: A 1935 Lesson in Bad Ideas

Is it worth the time?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for pre-war British fluff or you’re really curious about how people thought marriage worked in the thirties. If you hate watching characters make the most obvious, catastrophic mistakes for an hour, steer clear. It’s light, it’s a bit frantic, and it definitely feels like it was written in a rush.

Jeff is the kind of guy who thinks life should be a constant thrill ride. When he sets his sights on his wife's best friend, he’s not really looking for love. He’s just looking for a new flavor of headache.

The whole thing turns into a mess almost immediately after he packs his bags. Watching him realize that his 'dream girl' is actually a menace to society—specifically his car—is the only part that really landed for me. She smashes the car. It’s a great little moment of instant regret.

Notes from the couch

• The dialogue moves at a pace that suggests the actors were being paid by the word.
• Nancy Burne has this look of constant exasperation that basically carries the entire second act.
• There is a scene in a cafe that goes on for about 45 seconds too long. You can literally see the supporting cast looking at the clock.
• The wardrobe choices are, uh, very 1935. A lot of hats that don't seem to serve any actual purpose.

It’s not quite as sharp as Spotlight Sadie, which had a bit more bite to its premise. Here, the stakes feel weirdly low even though everyone is shouting all the time. It’s all very theatrical and stagey, which you’d expect, but sometimes it just feels like the actors are trying to fill up the silence.

I found myself wondering if Jeff ever actually liked his wife, or if he just needed someone to buy him dinner. He’s remarkably unlikable, but in a way that feels intentional? Or maybe he’s just a jerk. Hard to tell. 🤷‍♂️

If you liked the chaotic energy of The Newlyweds' Happy Day, you might find something to chew on here. Just don't go in expecting a deep dive into the human condition. It’s a 1935 comedy. It wants to entertain you for an hour and then leave your brain entirely.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even really a 'good' movie by modern standards. But it’s got a weird, frantic rhythm that I didn't entirely hate. Sometimes that’s enough. Especially on a Tuesday night.