The Golden Arrow (1936) User Reviews

Early Bette Davis

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 18 March 2012]

I often like to guess the year a film was made - this was an easy one - with a very young Bette Davis playing an heiress -- it had to be post-1934's It Happened One Night and before her really major late '30s work began.

Yes, it's about an heiress and a reporter - I'd love to see a count of how many films were made post-1934 about heiresses and reporters, probably hundreds. In this case, Davis is a cafeteria cashier hired by a cosmetic firm's publicity agent to live the life of Daisy Appleby, heiress, with the idea that gossip about her will keep the Appelby name in the headlines.

It's not long before Daisy is tired of being chased around, so she asks a reporter named Johnny (George Brent) to enter into a marriage of convenience with her. He needs money to write a book, and she wants to rest. Johnny, however, finds that the good life isn't for him. In fact, it's a big fat bore. He acts out by going after the daughter of an oil tycoon. And you can guess the rest.

Davis is pert, bubbly, and expressive, to the extent that Brent seems a little stodgy for her. I would have loved to have seen her paired with someone like Joel McCrea or the boyish Henry Fonda. I think then it would have been a better film. As it is, it's okay, and she's always a pleasure to watch.

If you like Davis in this, check her out in one of my favorite early comedies of hers, "It's Love I'm After," with Leslie Howard.

Mediocre romantic comedy

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 22 April 2021]

Johnny Jones (George Brent) is a cynical newspaper reporter assigned to get an interview with reclusive millionaire heiress Daisy Appleby (Bette Davis). When the two meet, there are sparks, but he doesn't want to be a "kept man". Little does he know that Daisy is actually a phony, a promotional gimmick for a cosmetics company acting the part of a glamorous socialite in order to garner headlines and sell facial cream.

I liked Brent quite a bit in this one, but conversely I felt Davis didn't come across as well, as playing fluttery "girlish" roles really wasn't her strong suit. She's not bad, but the material would have been better served with some one else. The finale, involving Davis showing up at a social event with a black eye, much to the smirking amusement of those in attendance, is definitely a sign of the times.

early bette davis. short & simple.

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 15 May 2017]

Twenty-eight-year-old Bette Davis had been making films for five years, quickly working up to lead, and pretty much the same for George Brent. They would appear in about TWELVE films together in the 1930s and 1940s. Rich girl Daisy (Davis) meets reporter Johnny (Brent), in a case of mistaken identity. At first, she is angry at him, but they quickly hit it off. Eugene Palette is in here too, with his deep, booming voice. Some interesting bits about Palette's life, if you have the time to read it. The story here has ups, downs, around the mulberry bush, as they used to say. Rawtha a silly plot, but easy to watch, and its only 68 minutes long. One odd bit of timing... at one point, Daisy yells "If you don't stick to our agreement, I'll break my contract", and soon after filming "Arrow", Davis DID walk out on her contract. Showing on Turner Classic now and then. Directed by Alfred Green, who had directed some of the biggies in the business, starting in the days of the silents. Story by Michael Arlen, who had created the character "The Falcon", in all those films in the 1940s.

Delightful comedy, due to the expressive nature of Ms. Davis

[TransYlvaniAnConcuBine · 16 February 2003]

Bette Davis plays a woman who is pretending to be an heiress to a cosmetic company, Daisy Appleby. George Brent plays Johnny Jones, a reporter. They become friends, and she convinces him to enter into a marriage of convenience. Her - to keep away fortune hunters, Him - to have finances to write his book. He is expected to play to her every whim, and appear in all the newspapers. Not liking this, he cosies up to Hortense, daughter of an oil tycoon, who informs him that Daisy is not all she seems. I don't really know alot about Bette Davis, but this is a delightful comedy, mostly due to the timing of both lead actors, and Bette Davis' facial expressions. She really does have expressive eyes, doesn't she?

Fun Predictable

[winstonchurchill-93755 · 7/10 · 12 April 2018]

Heiress fins in the 30's are most always interesting and entertaining. The message is the same: rich bsd, poor good. He, it works. Bette Davis was a versatile actress who could pull off anything. George Brent made a good partner. 1929-1939 produced the most enjoyable films over other decades. It's pathetic that TCM feels the need to apologize for non PC movies. Soon, movies that display human nature accurately may be banned.

Enjoy them while you can. This is a fun one.

Great plot idea lacks a good screenplay, and a very weak lead role drags this film down

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 25 December 2020]

"The Golden Arrow" has a plot that had real potential for a top comedy. But, unfortunately the film doesn't have a screenplay or script that will do the job. Instead, the story is lame at times, with holes in places, and generally weak in performances. Johnny Jones can't love a rich Daisy Appleby, but he can love her if she's not that person. That part is very old and warn out in movies. The surprise twist in this film might have saved it yet, but for the weak script, and especially weak and limp performance by George Brent as Jones.

Bette Davis was known and made her mark as a dramatic actress. She didn't do much comedy, but she was very capable in some comedy films. Hers is the only real good role in this film, but it's not nearly enough to overcome the weak screenplay. And, this is the worst I've ever seen Brent. His character is almost lifeless. He showed a little promise in the opening scene with Davis's Daisy Appleby, but he just went limp and nearly listless after that. His acting like a heel was more that of a blasé or dull character. It was almost as if he were drugged and barely able to be aware of where he was or what he was doing.

This film wouldn't rate six stars but for Davis and Eugene Pallette's role as Mr. Meyers. Pallette always adds something to films he is in - maybe for no other reason than that his persona, with build and voice are so unusual and stand out. And, he was very good at his craft of acting with that persona.

Except for die hard fans of Davis, and maybe one or two others, most others would probably have a hard time sitting through this film to the finish.

Here's the best line that comes close to comedy in the film. Johnny Jones, to his butler, "If you tip me off if I forget to be a heel, I'll keep you."

Better Than It Seems At First

[Handlinghandel · 4/10 · 5 June 2006]

George Brent is a reporter sent to interview an heiress. She is supposedly the heir to a face cream fortune. He interviews her on her yacht. They fall for each other in bathing costumes.

It turns out (quite early) that she is not an heiress. She part of an advertising campaign for the cold cream.

The movie follows the ups and downs of their romance.

The supporting cast does little to buoy it up. Davis and Brent carry the picture. Though it's fairly predictable, it is also fairly entertaining. It's far from her best. But, especially considering its obscurity in her oeuvre, it's not one of her worst, either.

The Reporter and the Heiress

[movingpicturegal · 5/10 · 11 May 2006]

Weak film about facial cream heiress Daisy Appleby (Bette Davis) and her escapades in Florida, where she lounges around her yacht in unflattering swimsuit, and gets herself chased around the Casino by all sorts of European barons and dukes after her for her money. When she meets a reporter (George Brent) who is such a normal, straight-laced, and somewhat handsome All-American guy, she quickly falls for him. Then, to get the fortune hunters off her back, she convinces him to enter into a "marriage of convenience" with her, but in actuality, she is in love with him - and, not completely who she seems either.

Well, this movie is pretty so-so. Bette Davis is great, as usual, but George Brent is a real stiff here, and the actress who plays Daisy's rival, "the richest girl in the world", is really, not a very good actress. Eugene Palette adds a spark of life to this film, but, unfortunately, only has a few brief scenes. Probably best for Bette Davis fans only.

Nice mini-gem from Bette Davis and Warner Brothers

[audiemurph · 8/10 · 1 June 2012]

"The Golden Arrow" is for the most part a delightful, if not heavy-weight, film, and is definitely worth watching all 68 minutes worth. It opens in wild pre-code fashion, with a gaggle of wealthy Depression-era socialites firing arrows into the bathroom of a surprised and very naked man in a bathtub – he actually is shown standing up out of the tub – and he is quite obviously naked, did I mention that? But then the show really begins.

To me the most delightful scene occurs early on, when Bette Davis, playing a rich heiress, invites reporter George Brent to talk to her, and swim with her, in her yacht's little pool, although Brent is only a reporter, and not the rich gentleman she thinks he is. Although never beautiful, Bette Davis comes across as quite attractive in her energetic and perky way in many of her early movies, and I think this scene, in which Davis shows an astounding amount of leg, may be perhaps the sexiest of her career. And her chatter with Brent is quite enjoyable here, perhaps because the scene involves only the two of them, with no weak distracting supporting cast present, even if they both may be wearing the most unflattering and unattractive bathing suits in the history of movies.

Bette Davis totally dominates this movie, completely outclassing all the other actors; even George Brent, always likable, does not try to compete with Bette, instead wisely spending most of the film grim-faced and grumpy. He does have the funniest line in the film, though, when he greets his valet, who he despises, with "Hello, Useless".

Carol Hughes plays the "other" rich heiress in this film, and does not play her role badly; she is not completely unattractive. But it is astounding how weak she is when side-by-side with the great Bette Davis. Or maybe it's the other way around: we really appreciate how magnificent Davis is when we can see her next to some Warner Brother's competition.

In good old Depression-era fashion, the rich snobs of Europe are played as buffoons, and we are asked to cheer Davis' decision to marry a real American – nothing wrong with a little nativism. And Eugene Palette gets a nice little role playing a self-made millionaire common man with a family that drives him completely nuts – a role he played to perfection in that same year of 1936, in the great "My Man Godfrey".

Easily recommended little film, even if ultimately a little predictable.

This likable teaming deserved better material

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 8 April 2007]

I love seeing George Brent teamed with Bette Davis and according to a Davis biography, she also loved being paired with this amiable actor. So I began watching the film with high hopes--expecting to like the film. Well, although I didn't dislike the film, I certainly didn't like it all that much due to terrible writing and some ridiculous situations they placed these hapless actors in with this film. I won't even try to explain the stupid plot--it's THAT difficult to believe! So what we are left with are two excellent actors trying their best with drivel. As a result, it's good drivel, but drivel nevertheless. If you are a huge Bette Davis fan (like me), then see this film. Otherwise, it's very skip-able and only a time passer.

By the way, films like this one are the reason that Ms. Davis walked out on her contract with Warner Brothers. She reasoned, quite naturally, that after becoming an Oscar winner for Best Actress in DANGEROUS (1936) and being nominated for OF HUMAN BONDAGE (1934), she'd get better scripts--which she didn't. Despite the walkout, she was eventually forced to return to work, but somehow Warner got the point and began giving her better material over the next couple years. Looking at this dull film, I am glad she walked out for better films!

The Stars Deserved Better Material

[Michael_Elliott · 14 May 2012]

The Golden Arrow (1936)

** (out of 4)

Pleasant, if rather forgettable, romantic comedy from Warner has a heiress (Bette Davis) growing tired of people controlling her life so she hits the town with a reporter (George Brent) who had previously tried to get a story from her. While out the duo have a good time and the rich lady requests that they get married for convenience sake but the reporter requests that he not use any of her money. The plot of this thing is rather stupid and goes in all sorts of directions. While the film remains entertaining thanks to the stars, one can't help but feel that their talents are being wasted in such a minor film like this. Again, if you're a fan of Davis or Brent then you're going to at least be entertained from start to finish but this is clear case where the studio factory was just pumping out material without putting too much effort into it. The film starts off well enough as Davis does a very good job playing the fun loving girl who's just wanting to get out from under the control that people have on her. I thought the scenes with her and Brent at the fair were a lot of fun and it really did seem as if the two stars were having a blast. The film certainly takes a nose dive after the marriage as the screwball elements start to come into play and they just don't contain any spark or laughs. I thought the material just wasn't strong enough and Brent's constant hissy fits were more annoying than charming. Both leads are very good together and we get some nice support from Dick Foran and Eugene Palette but the story lets them all down.

The rich are at it again!

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 5 November 2013]

In an era when Barbara Stanwyck, Katharine Hepburn, Claudette Colbert, Joan Bennett, Constance Bennett, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow and Carole Lombard were all making an effort to show the screwy rich girl trying to deal with wacky families, gold digging men and boggling business careers with relationships, the new big star on the block, Bette Davis, decided to join them. Fresh from her Oscar Winning role in "Dangerous", Davis had not yet set the box office world on its ear, although that was imminent. Warner Brothers, not sure yet how to handle the rising temperamental diva to be, tried her in a variety of types of films, and for a few of those, she went down "Screwball Lane" to show how those popped-eyed gestures could add oomph to witty wisecracks and wacky situations.

Here, she's an heiress surrounded by typical social-climbing men and to get around them, she convinces a struggling reporter (George Brent) to marry her for convenience. She already has a fiancée, it seems, but he's too droll and effete to take seriously. Brent's the type who isn't above using a little manly force to keep his women in line, and while he agrees to the charade, he's not about to let her control him. She, it seems too, isn't above a little slumming, and in one of the film's most memorable scenes, ends up with him on a twirling ferris wheel. Later, there's confusion concerning black eyes which each of them get (memorably utilized on one of the film's posters), and it is obvious that this cave man stuff is exactly what she needs to bring her even slightly down to earth.

While Davis is of course best known for drama, she had been tried out by Warners in comedy before, mostly supporting parts, and here, she is a game girl in a genre she would infrequently try again with sometimes mixed results. George Brent, who co-starred with most of the actresses I mention above (and frequently with Davis during their long stays at Warners), is as comfortable in this type of role as he would be in their romantic dramas, and it is the two stars who make this film worth watching. The rest of the cast (including major character star Eugene Palette) is pretty much wasted although they get brief moments to shine.

What a gig

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 7 May 2014]

The Golden Arrow casts Bette Davis and George Brent as a typical 30s heiress who abounded in so many films and the reporter who married her. Heiresses and reporters, ever since It Happened One Night they were together in movies like ham and eggs.

But there's an interesting twist on it here. Davis is a pseudo-heiress hired by Henry O'Neill to play his daughter and live the good life as a walking breathing advertisement for his cosmetics. Of course reporters are to be avoided as they tend to get curious and ask embarrassing questions. But Davis falls for Brent and they marry.

After which like Tyrone Power in Love Is News and That Wonderful Urge he becomes the object of press scrutiny. Now George knows how the boyfriends of Madonna and Paris Hilton feel.

This screwball comedy is not the best of material for Davis and Brent who certainly did some classics later on. But it's passably amusing and Bette's fans will like it.

Works way better then you would think.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 8/10 · 27 October 2006]

At first sight this movie doesn't look like a particular great one. After all a Bette Davis movies with only 166 votes on IMDb and a rating of 6,5 must be a rather bad one. But the movie turned out to be a delightful and original surprise.

You would at first expect that this is a normal average typical '30's movie with a formulaic love-story but the movie is surprisingly well constructed and has an unusual and original story, which also helps to make this movie a very pleasant one to watch.

The story is carried by its two main characters played by Bette Davis and George Brent. Their helped by a cast of mostly amusing characters but the movie mainly involves just around them two. Their character are involved in a most unusual and clever written love-story that work humorous as well. It makes this movie a delightful little comedy to watch, that is perfectly entertaining.

The movie is quite short (just over an hour long), which means that the story doesn't waste any time on needless plot lines, development and characters. It makes the movie also rather fast paced, which helps to make this movie a perfectly watchable one by todays standards as well. It does perhaps makes the movie a bit of a simple one at times but this never goes at the expense of its entertainment or fun.

A delightful pleasant simple romantic-comedy that deserves to be seen by more!

8/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

When Bette had it with Warners

[trimmerb1234 · 5/10 · 9 February 2008]

I knew nothing of this movie before starting to watch it however within minutes it became quickly apparent that she is surrounded by a cast below her league and I began to wonder if this was Bette Davis's last Warner Bros picture which indeed it was.

Prickly, fastidious Bette Davis knew her own worth and while other stars - see Rosalind Russel in "The Women" - could clown as well as be serious, Davis's haughtiness and seriousness about her craft made this an absolute no no. Here amiable George Brent was no "A List" star and some of the support is decidedly mediocre. In the movie she has longish exchanges with, and must submit to being I think playfully slapped on the back by, an actor some leagues below her. She was an actress who could and did frequently signal boredom and distaste when the plot has her in substandard company. In terms of fellow cast it is clear that she is here but the script demands that she doesn't indicate or feel that.

As a viewer I thought the movie was more than she could - or deserved to - take. That Warners did not see that is curious. Perhaps their sense hitherto of owning, contractually, their stars who had to do what they were told. Perhaps it is hindsight - what the world came to know later of her character and talent. "Now Voyager" has her cast as a drab - she was not vain about her appearance, but in that, cast with the superbly charming, intelligent talented Claude Raines she had a part and co-star equally worthy of her talent. She was surely right to demand that the parts and co-stars matched her own high standards. Classic movies fully worthy of her talent were the result.

Take Bette Davis' word for it

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 5/10 · 16 May 2017]

Bette Davis said of this film: "I was...insulted to have to appear in such a cheap, nothing story..." Take her word for it. Bette Davis gets my vote as the greatest American actress, but not because of films like this. When watching it, I didn't know what year it was produced; I would have guessed very early 1930s, because the film is typical of the shallow scripts so common before...well...let's say 1933.

The plot is so shallow a tick couldn't drown it. Bette is hired to be an heiress to a corporation that uses her for publicity; in reality, she's just a small town girl. She chaffs at the role she is playing, and falls for a reporter (George Brent), quickly marries him...for all the wrong reasons. The marriage is a sham, which Brent intends to get out of at the earliest possible moment. But, they end up falling in love...which conquers all. Yawn.

Bette Davis does show some spunk here, so it's not a total waste. Brent is quite good. It's not the acting...it's the story line that is the problem. The supporting actors are pretty much wasted.

About the only reason to watch this film is if you're a tremendous fan of Davis'.

Not the Bette Davis I love

[jfarms1956 · 3/10 · 10 April 2013]

The Golden Arrow is a movie most enjoyed by the older baby boomers and their parents (if still alive). This movie is basically a romantic comedy. I watched it because Bette Davis was in it. Well, it is not the typical Bette Davis that I remembered. This Bette Davis is a flirtatious, somewhat comical Bette Davis and not the drama queen. Overall, the Golden Arrow moves quickly; and one can also get immersed into the story fairly quickly. The Golden Arrow is a short film. It is a cute film and will make you smile. The Golden Arrow is entertainment. For just over an hour's worth of time, the film provides lighthearted fun. It is perfect for fill in time when you are ready early and are waiting for a ride. I give it three thumbs up.

Bette Davis showing her EXCELLENT talent

[fwrichter · 10/10 · 3 December 2003]

This is an EXCELLENT example of early Bette Davis talent. The production is above average for 1936 timeframe. I cannot understand why the owners of the rights to this film have not put it on DVD. Owners, PLEASE PLEASE release it. I would buy it immediately. I have not seen it in more than thirty years, on television, but remember it well.

I'm surprised...

[Pegasus-10 · 3/10 · 26 November 2019]

... they didn't revoke Davis' Oscar after this. Not given great material or direction, she barely comes off as likeable in some scenes. Cast is not showing great acting chops, and the story is pretty silly. Greatest asset is the short run time.

GOLDEN ARROW'S FLEW IN THIS PICTURE !

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 16 December 2003]

In the opening scenes of this movie a man shot arrows through his hotel room into another man's bathroom and blew out all the lights. This must have been very hep for 1936, but rather way way out and had nothing to do with the film, Robin Hood did not make an appearance as far as I could see. However, Bette Davis(Daisey Appleby),"The Whales of August",'87 was very young and attractive and performed one of her best roles in a long career in Hollywood. Daisey never stopped teasing or being very sexy with her nightgowns and so called swim suit on her yacht with George Brent(Johnny Jones),"The Spiral Staircase",'46. Daisey even proposed marriage to Johnny in a Ferris Wheel upside down and even got a black eye. Davis and Brent made a great couple, one suppose to be very rich and the other a very poor reporter. Off stage, Davis and Brent were having a real torrid love affair, which is good reason why there was sparks when these two appeared in this film. If you liked Bette Davis and George Brent, this is the film for you!

"Money corrupts, and Big Money corrupts absolutely . . . "

[oscaralbert · 8/10 · 12 April 2018]

. . . America's Moral Compass--the eponymous Warner Bros. film studio--warns viewers with THE GOLDEN ARROW. "Daisy," an alleged $12 million woman, falls head over heels for the first decent man she meets--"Johnny," a $1,560-per-year guy. Johnny reluctantly agrees to Daisy's proposal for a "fake marriage," which will supposedly allow her some time to hunt down a "real" husband. Johnny has principles, and he's well aware that IF Daisy actually is sitting on a hoard of twelve million bucks (or about $1.2 billion, adjusted for inflation), she's as contaminated by these Filthy Riches as anything King Midas ever touched. Warner accurately depicts Daisy's chain of corruption as somewhat of a circular firing squad, filled with back-stabbing rivals, two-faced sycophantic leeches, and general Enemies of the People. GOLDEN ARROW's opening scene literally involves Rich Nihilists firing crossbow bolts to shatter the light bulbs of the ordinary folks within their range. This type of mindless vandalism against the Basics of Civilization and Public Safety epitomize the threat Warner always sees posed by the Greedy Fat Cat One Per Centers. Fortunately for her, Daisy is actually a Pure-Hearted Poor gal, so when she finally comes clean with Johnny about her own immunity to the Lure of Lucre they can live happily ever after.