The Princess and the Plumber: Not exactly high stakes, but O'Sullivan is a gem

If you've got eighty minutes to kill and a soft spot for 1930s fluff, this is a pretty harmless way to spend them. It’s for people who like watching old sets wobble and don't mind a plot that’s thinner than a cheap hotel towel. If you want something with actual tension, maybe go watch Blackmail instead. 🛠️

Joseph Cawthorn plays this prince who is basically broke. He’s got the title, but his castle is falling apart and he’s desperate to get back into the big money.

His plan is to marry his daughter, played by a very young Maureen O’Sullivan, to some wealthy royal. It's the classic "I'm selling you for a new roof" dad move.

But then Charles Farrell shows up as the plumber. He doesn't really look like he knows how to fix a sink, honestly.

Farrell is supposed to be this charming commoner, but he’s actually a baronet in disguise. Because of course he is. 🙄

The movie is full of these really long shots where characters just sort of stand there and talk. You can tell the microphones were hidden in the flower vases or something because everyone sounds like they're shouting from a closet.

There is this one scene where Cawthorn is trying to act all regal while a pipe is literally leaking behind him. It's supposed to be slapstick, I think?

The timing is a bit off, but his facial expressions are kind of funny in a "I used to be in vaudeville" sort of way. He does this double-take that feels like it lasts three minutes.

Maureen O’Sullivan is the real reason to sit through this. She has this spark that the rest of the movie is missing.

When she looks at the "plumber," you actually believe she likes him. Even though his mustache looks like it might fall off if he sneezes too hard.

The castle itself looks like it was built on a Tuesday and painted on a Wednesday. It’s all very theatrical.

I noticed a moment where a door closes and the entire wall shakes. It’s those little things that make these early talkies feel so human and weirdly cozy.

It reminds me a bit of the staginess in No Woman Knows, though that one was way more serious. This movie just wants you to giggle at the poor prince being stressed.

The dialogue is... well, it’s 1930 dialogue. Lots of "Oh, Father!" and people explaining exactly what they are doing while they are doing it.

"I am going to fix this pipe now!" - The Plumber (basically).

There’s a weird bit with a mustache disguise that feels like it belongs in a different movie. It goes on for way too long.

Actually, the whole middle section feels like the actors were waiting for someone to tell them to stop. Nobody stopped them.

• The plumbing jokes are surprisingly clean.
• O'Sullivan's outfits are actually pretty chic for a broke princess.
• Farrell is a bit wooden, but he's got that 1930s jawline.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even a "hidden gem" really.

But it has this gentle energy. It doesn't want to hurt your brain or make you think about the Great Depression that was happening outside the theater.

I found myself smiling at the ending even though I knew exactly what was going to happen from the first five minutes. Sometimes you just want a movie where the pipes get fixed and the girl gets the guy.

If you liked the vibe of The Mother Heart, you'll probably find this charming enough. Just don't expect it to change your life or anything.

It's just a silly story about a girl who likes a guy with a wrench. 🪠