HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE

(1935) One heck of a reminder, again, of why I fell in love with classic films in the first place, Hands Across the Table stars Carole Lombard (along with Bette Davis, my favorite actress of all time) as Regie Allen, a manicurist for a swanky New York hotel who has long ago given up on love in favor of marrying for money and a stable life.  Regie's found a best buddy in millionaire Allen Macklyn (Ralph Bellamy), a disabled long-term resident of the hotel who gets regular manicures just to visit with her, and to him sometimes the romantic dreamer in Regie still shines through ... but it's the rich, engaged-to-be-married Theodore Drew III (Fred MacMurray), staying temporarily at the hotel prior to his upcoming marriage, that shows an interest in a very nervous Regie, who in turn has her eyes on his bank account.  After a whirlwind night on the town together, however, Regie learns that Drew no longer has his fortune - and is, in fact, the male version of her, his upcoming marriage for money only.  The two form an unlikely alliance/friendship, but through all those dollar signs can't necessarily deny their attraction to each other, broke as each may be.  I loved this film; not nearly as melodramatic as the poster would have you believe, Hands Across the Table is a instead a very funny, even more charming romantic comedy, Carole Lombard at her most captivating and beautiful as she literally makes the screen glow with her presence ... while Fred MacMurray proves, hands-down, that comedy was indeed his true forte.  Lovely film, not to be missed. (unrated)  9/10 stars

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