The Perfect Gentleman (1935) User Reviews

Wonderful duo in a funny/sentimental film

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 1 July 2011]

Perhaps my favorite character actor has long been Frank Morgan. When he is in A pictures as a supporting actor (such as "The Wizard Of Oz" and several films with Clark Gable) he shines. But some of the B films MGM assigned to him, where he is the star, well...the scripts were not so good. This is one of the exceptions. A movie that is both genuinely funny and sentimental.

Morgan plays a role he was accustomed to -- a bit of a ne'er-do-well, but one that most people genuinely like. The creditors are always after him, his prim spinster sister looks down on him, and he exasperates his son, who is attempting to become a figure in the church. Then, Morgan meets a second-rate stage actress (Cicely Courtneidge), and quite by accident they become a hit. She falls in love with him, but the problem Morgan is causing his son ends up splitting up the show business team and the couple. In the end, they all live happily ever after (although for a few moments I though Morgan or Courtneidge was going to die, and the film be turned into a tragedy).

Morgan is his usual lovable, blustery self. Courtneidge, known more to British audiences, is wonderful! Able to play both the funny and the touching momemnts. The rest of the characters are efficient in their roles, though they are not memorable.

Watch this film to savor the great Frank Morgan, and receive the bonus of discovering Cicely Courtneidge.

Just turn off your brain and enjoy.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 27 March 2011]

Frank Morgan plays a pretty typical sort of role--a bombastic ne'er-do-well. Most people love him (especially the ladies) but not everyone---creditors are always at his heels. But he's so full of bluster, promises and charm that people naturally like when they meet. But he's also a burden to his sister and son--who are often left to clean up the messes that he's made. They are exasperated and ready to call it quits.

Oddly, after a long string of failures, when he meets a stage actress (Cicely Courtneidge), the somehow manage to make a success. And, for the first time, Morgan's life is starting to go right and he's starting to make good for all his lies and half-truths. But, in a misunderstanding, he and Courtneidge split up. What's to become of Morgan? While I will quickly admit that the plot in this film is VERY slight, it is nevertheless quite enjoyable. It's a turn off your brain and enjoy sort of movie--with some nice comedy, mostly enjoyable music and lots of upper-class folks going into a dither (which is always fun to watch). For old movie buffs, this is a nice and predictable sort of treat. Others might be a bit less forgiving.

Frank Morgan at his best

[hmpulham · 19 July 2002]

This little comedy was made at the MGM English studio. It featured a British cast, with the exception of the American character actor, Frank Morgan. Remember him? He played the wizard, in the "Wizard Of Oz." What makes this film fun to watch is Morgan's comic skill, and energy. Also, a plus, is the quality of his fellow British actors. This quality, is what raises a rather sub-par script, into a very watchable film.

The pleasure of his company, sort of

[marcslope · 4/10 · 5 June 2006]

Frank Morgan didn't get to play many lead roles during his long tenure at MGM, so this gentle, sub-Wodehousian English trifle ought to be a cause for celebration. Alas. He plays a "charming," penniless old rogue who sponges off his relatives, spends what little he has on drink, makes tactless talk with stiff authority figures, and romances a fetching musical hall lady (Cicely Courtneidge, who was the real thing, and is delightful). The trouble, aside from Tim Whelan's utterly anonymous direction, is that "the Major," as written, is nearly as tiresome and confounding as all the "bad," "small-minded" townspeople claim him to be. So you can't really blame an overacting Una O'Connor as his huffy sister for scolding him, or handsome Robert Waring as his conventional son for turning him out. You can't even understand why Heather Angel, as his prospective daughter-in-law, would keep defending him. You can't imagine why his bumbling rendition of "Pack Up Your Troubles" in a music hall would save Courtneidge's hitherto-reviled act. And when a humbled Morgan finally wins her hand, you're mostly sorry for her rather than overjoyed for them both. The sentiment here feels calculated, the pacing's off, and virtually nothing is credible. Frank Morgan is perfection, but even he can't turn this dithering blowhard into a likable guy.

British Comedy Gem

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 10/10 · 1 June 2004]

Bubbling Frank Morgan and a wonderful cast of British talent make this screwball comedy & comedy of errors shine with charming giggles and amusing bemusement.

The father of the Vicar, Morgan, portrays a self-stuffed shirt that finds his luck from a night out in the music halls.

Dame Cicely Courtneidge, Herbert Mundin, Heather Angel (You Can't Take It With You) and Una O'Connor play the perfect foil for Morgan's delightful buffoonery.

This is the type of comedy that couldn't be made today even if they tried. The underlying comedy of manners reflect a bygone era that may never come again - filled with its social mores and contradictions.

Here was a time when decent men did not consort with "brazen women" from the entertainment field. I wonder how much things have changed today? Nevertheless, this is a time when family honor and unsullied reputations were prized - and - mountains were moved to maintain them above all else - even love.

The final musical extravaganza performed by Courtneidge and a battalion of soldiers and drummers is stirring, even though short by Busby Berkeley standards.

I recommend this highly.

April Maye marches to her own drumbeat!

[mark.waltz · 8/10 · 5 December 2018]

The wonderful Cicely Courtneidge steals every moment that she is on screen in this delicious British comedy that will have you in trance from start to finish. The unflappable Frank Morgan is the befuddled waistrel of a wealthy British family, living on a huge estate but unhappy under the thumb of his imperious sister, Una O'Connor. He goes out on his own and runs into the beautiful Ceciily, a music hall singer making a comeback, and after aging her in her flood debut come back, brings her back home to meet the family. Comical mishaps occur, and Courtney leaves in shame, causing O'Connor to leave her brother with the warning that his behavior is standing in the way of his son finding his place in British Society.

A brilliant screenplay guides this delightful comedy along, showing British classism at its most elite and taking another look at the "Downton Abbey" school of life nearly 100 years ago. O'Connor, usually shrill actress who could make your nerves great with her over-the-top but often funny Brian, is quite the lady here, and equally as imperious as Maggie Smith's Countess in the popular BBC series. Pur performance truly shines as even one look from her could make strong men shutter. But when she speaks calmly and warns Morgan of the impact of his behavior, so much more is revealed about her and it humanizes her ultra snobby character.

Morgan, always amusing and certainly a crowd-pleaser, plays a variation of the character that he what play for the remainder of his career. Robert Waring and Heather Angel at the Right Touch as the young lovers, Morgan son and his new wife who are quite more easygoing than Aunt O'Connor chooses to believe. Herbert mundin ads some laughs as Morgan's devoted valet who, unable to deal without him, handsome down while Morgan is out traveling. But it is the delightful performance Cecily Courtney that deserves all the praise here; a combination of warm, humanity, bombastic good will, and probably the best Aauctioneer you'll ever see in film. The auction sequence where Courtneidge nearly wrecks society is up there in 1935, Cole scenes with the state room sequence in "A Night at the Opera" for pure hilarity.