The Luckiest Girl in the World (1936) - A fun look at rich people being bad with money

If you have about seventy minutes to kill and you like movies where rich people act like living in a normal apartment is a death sentence, you'll probably like this one. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard about anything.

But if you can't stand the 'rich girl learns a lesson' trope, you might find yourself rolling your eyes at the screen. Personally, I found it pretty charming despite the predictable plot.

Jane Wyatt plays Pat, the girl in question. She has this very specific 1930s energy where she looks like she's never touched a dirty dish in her life.

Her dad is played by Eugene Pallette. I could listen to that man talk all day; his voice sounds like a bag of gravel being shaken inside a deep well. 🦉

The whole movie starts because Pat wants to marry this fancy guy in Switzerland. Her dad says no because he thinks she’s too soft for a husband who isn't a millionaire.

So, they make a bet. She has to live in New York on $150 a month for six months without any help from his bank account.

It’s funny because $150 was actually decent money in 1936, but the movie makes it look like she’s living in a dungeon. The apartment she finds is 'dumpy' but honestly, it looks kind of cozy to me.

She meets Tony, the neighbor, played by Louis Hayward. He’s an architect, because in these old movies, every leading man was either an architect or a reporter.

He has a mustache that is so perfectly thin I’m convinced it was drawn on with a pencil every morning. He spends a lot of time being annoyed at Pat, which we all know means they are going to fall in love.

There is a scene where she is trying to figure out how to cook, and she looks at a frying pan like it’s an alien spacecraft. It’s a bit silly, but Jane Wyatt makes it work with her facial expressions.

I kept thinking about the clothes, too. Even though she's supposed to be 'poor' for the bet, her hair is always perfect. 💇‍♀️

Like, who is doing those finger waves in a boarding house? It’s never explained, but that’s just Hollywood logic for you.

The middle of the movie drags just a tiny bit when they focus too much on the 'will they/won't they' stuff with Tony. It’s a bit like Just Another Blonde where the romance feels a little rushed because the movie is so short.

But then Eugene Pallette shows up again and everything gets better. He has this way of looking at everyone like they’re disappointing him, and it’s hilarious.

I noticed a weird detail in the background of the kitchen scenes. There’s a toaster that looks like it could double as a space heater.

The way they talk about 'the budget' makes it sound like a monster that lives under the bed. 'The budget won't allow for lamb chops!' is basically a tragedy in this world.

It reminded me a little of the struggle for money in Easy Come, Easy Go, but way less serious. This movie doesn't want to make you sad; it just wants to show you a girl failing at basic tasks.

There is one part where she tries to buy a dress and realizes she can't afford it. The look of pure shock on her face is actually a great bit of acting.

It’s much lighter than something like David Golder, which is another movie about money but way more depressing. This is strictly for people who want a happy ending.

I did find the ending a little too neat. Everything gets wrapped up in about two minutes of dialogue, which feels like the writers just wanted to go to lunch.

But overall, it’s a sweet little flick. It doesn't try to be a 'profound exploration' of anything, it's just a 1930s comedy doing its thing.

Didja notice?

• The hats are absolutely huge. How did they walk through doors?
• Pat keeps her gloves on for way too long. Who wears gloves to talk on the phone?
• The landlady has a very strange way of walking, almost like she's on wheels.
• There is a lot of talk about lamb chops. Apparently, that was the ultimate luxury food. 🥩
• The phone in her apartment has a cord that looks about three inches long.
• Every time someone gets excited, the music gets REALLY loud for no reason.
• Eugene Pallette’s pants are pulled up so high they’re practically touching his armpits.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s fun. If you’re into the era, give it a shot.