We're in the Money (1935): A Fast-Talking Mess

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like a fast-talking radio show from the thirties, you’ll have a decent time with We're in the Money. It’s snappy, slightly cynical, and features two leads who know exactly how to handle a wisecrack. But if you hate plot holes that you could drive a truck through, maybe skip it. This isn't high art; it's a B-movie that knows it's a B-movie.

Joan Blondell is the whole show here. She has this way of looking at a guy like he’s a piece of lint she’s about to flick off her shoulder. Glenda Farrell is right there with her, matching that energy perfectly. They play process servers, which is a weirdly specific job for a comedy, but it works because they treat serving subpoenas like a high-stakes sport.

The Pacing Problem

The movie starts with a lot of energy and then just... sort of loses its way halfway through. It feels like the writers got halfway to the finish line and realized they forgot to wrap up half the subplots. There is a moment where the boyfriend is dodging a breach-of-promise suit that feels like it’s going somewhere interesting, but then the movie just pivots to something else entirely. It’s like watching someone trip over their own shoelaces but pretending they meant to do a dance move instead.

• Joan Blondell’s outfits are impeccable, even if the sets look like they were built five minutes before filming.
• There’s a scene involving a process server outfit that is just plain bizarre.
• The supporting cast is full of faces I recognize from better movies, looking like they are having a grand time just being there.

I couldn't help but think about how much more focused The Lady of Scandal feels in comparison to this. Where that film has a clear heartbeat, We're in the Money feels like it’s trying to juggle too many plates at once. Some of them definitely hit the floor. 🙄

Still, watching Lionel Stander walk into a room is always a treat. He’s got that voice that sounds like gravel in a blender. It’s those little things that keep you from checking your watch too often. The movie isn't trying to be deep, and honestly, that’s a relief. It’s just a breezy little thing that exists to fill an hour of your life before you move on to something else.

Sometimes, the camera lingers on a reaction shot that feels like it’s about three seconds too long. You can almost feel the editor debating whether to cut it or not. They didn't. It’s awkward, but in a funny way. If you have nothing better to do on a Tuesday night, give it a whirl. Just don't go looking for life-changing cinema here. It’s mostly just people yelling at each other in offices and running out of doors. And honestly? Sometimes that's enough.