If You Could Only Cook (1935)

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

A year before Universal Studios released "My Man Godrey," this film was made by Columbia Pictures. Both films are about rich men being mistaken for homeless, out-of-work men and then going to work as butlers in the home of a wealthy person. But, that's where the similarities in the two stories end. Of course, there are the leading ladies who become a big part of each man's life, but again, in quite different ways"If You Could Only Cook" is a wonderful comedy-romance. It's the only pairing of Jean Arthur and Herbert Marshall. Marshall was mostly known for his roles in dramas and romances. He was the handsome, proper English gentleman. He made a few comedies in which he kept that screen persona. In this film, it works quite well. This isn't a film with witty dialog. It has some humorous lines, but mostly the comedy is in the situations. Marshall plays Jim Buchanan, aka Jim Burns in much of the movie. Arthur is Joan Hawthorne. It's interesting that at this point in her career, Arthur had second billing to Marshall. Both had substantial careers behind them – but Arthur, with more than 70 films to her credit still alternated with her male leads, depending on the male star and the roles.This film doesn't have a very large cast. The best among the supporting cast are Leo Carrillo as Mike Rossini and Lionel Stander as Flash. This is something of a caper comedy and romance, and while not filled with ecstatic laughter, its humor and romance are warm and enjoyable. This isn't on the level of "My Man Godfrey," but it's a very good comedy- romance. Here are some lines from the film. Jim, "Any new tips on what the well-mannered butler should do?" Jennings, "Well, sir, it's mostly a matter of exercising good judgment. Except, no matter what you think, you never say it." Jim, "Oh, that's important? You never say what you think, but you do think what you say." Jennings, "Well put, sir."Mike, "That's the trouble with you. Food is just food. But my stomach lives for good things."Jim, "Jennings, tell me. Do you think I'm out of my mind?" Jennings, "I'm hoping for the best, sir." Jim, "And pack a few of my things, will you Jennings? Just what I shall need buttling."Mr. Balderson (played by Pierre Watkin, uncredited), "I've seen some brazen confidence men, but that girl in there is …"

Frustrated executive (Herbert Marshall) meets an unemployed cook (Jean Arthur). She mistakenly believes he is also out of work so she suggests the two answer a help-wanted ad seeking a live-in maid and butler. Looking for a change of pace he agrees and the two go to work for a colorful character (Leo Carrillo) who turns out to be a gangster. Charming romantic comedy has a fine cast headed by likable Herbert Marshall and lovely Jean Arthur, who I've never seen in a bad performance. Leo Carrillo is a bit much at times but he often was, especially when they let him use accents. It's a good one so catch it if you can.

"If You Could Only Cook" is a small film apparently credited to Frank Capra at one point but actually not by Capra, made in 1935, and it stars Herbert Marshall, Jean Arthur, Lionel Stander and Leo Carillo. Carillo was the Cisco Kid's sidekick Pancho on the TV series that boomers may remember; and Lionel Stander's unmistakable voice will be remembered from the Robert Wagner TV show "Hart to Hart." This is a film made during the Depression, and it concerns a wealthy auto executive named Jim Buchanan (Herbert Marshall) who is about to be married to the right kind of woman and is dreading it. While sitting on a park bench trying to escape his board of directors and his fiancé, he meets a down to earth young woman (Jean Arthur) who is desperately looking for a job and can't find anything. Plus, she's just lost her room. She finds a job that pays well, but it's for a couple. She talks Jim into applying for it with her -- he's the butler and she's the cook in the home of a gangster (Carillo). Thanks to her sauce, she is hired. Thus begins Buchanan's double life. You can guess the rest.A very charming movie with a delightful performance by Arthur and a good one by Marshall. It's always hard to believe that Herbert Marshall was ever a leading man given the roles he had later on, but he was a type that went out of style -- very formal, well spoken, a little stuffy, modeled on the British. Films in the '30s were often based on plays, and the plays of that era dealt with class differences.Capra initiated a lawsuit against Columbia for crediting him with this film in England, where he was very popular, but Harry Cohn purchased "You Can't Take It With You" for him in exchange for dropping the suit. So a little film, never seen by Capra, paid him a big dividend.

this movie is in the spirit of pursuing your dreams and following your heart. it's the wonderfully silly story of a auto designer whose company wants to keep making what sells rather that try his new designs. while soul-searching in the park he meets unemployed Jean Arthur who thinks he's down on his luck also. she sees a job for a married couple (a live in butler and cook), turns to him and ergo, the title. anyway, it's a lot of fun. for some reason this isn't available on video and isn't shown on TCM etc. so i had to find a copy on eBay. and now our town is having a Jean Arthur film festival (why didn't they consult me!? :-)). this is my favorite of Jean Arthur's movies not available on video, followed by Party Wire.