When you think of Gary Cooper, what movies come to mind? Perhaps you think of him as the title character in “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” (1936) or “Meet John Doe.” What about Merle Oberon? If this classic actress’s name is familiar to you at all, you probably know her from “Wuthering Heights” (1939). However, these well-known classic films are just a drop in the ocean of the long careers these two classic actors had.
A Princess and the Pauper Tale
Mary Smith (Oberon) is the daughter of wealthy politician Horace Smith (Henry Kolker), who is vying for the presidential nomination. Her lively uncle Hannibal (Harry Davenport) thinks she needs to have some fun, so he takes her to a New York nightclub, which ends up getting raided for gambling. To avoid scandal, her father sends her to his Florida mansion, where her only company is the two resident maids, Katie (Patsy Kelly) and Elly (Mabel Todd).One evening, Mary convinces the two other women to take her along on a blind triple date with cowboys from the rodeo which is currently in town. She ends up with a quiet, sincere cowboy named Stretch Willoughby (Cooper), whom she finds very attractive. She uses the technique her servant friends taught her for interesting a man, which includes gaining the gentleman’s sympathy. She learns that Stretch mistrusts wealthy socialites, so she pretends to be a ladies’ maid.
Delightful Fun
This is a sincere movie with a thought-provoking story, but it also is very fun. There are some delightful moments of comedy throughout the film. It’s expected from the two maids, who are played by comediennes, and Sugar (Walter Brennan), Stretch’s curmudgeonly cowboy sidekick. However, it’s surprising from the serious Cooper, who is very stoic in the early part of the film, and the refined Oberon. One of the first moments to break the ice between them happens the morning after they meet. After Mary turns down his impulsive marriage proposal, he suddenly picks her up and throws her into the swimming pool! This only piques her interest in him.
Partway through the film, Stretch goes back to his ranch in Montana. There, we meet a lovable group of comical characters. The only woman on the ranch is the motherly cook, Ma Hawkins (Emma Dunn). As she bustles around the kitchen, Stretch keeps untying her apron, but the joke doesn’t slow Ma Hawkins down!
One of the funniest scenes in the movie is when Stretch is walking around his future house, which is still nothing but framing. He imagines he is showing Mary around, pointing out invisible furnishings to a bride who isn’t there. His fellow cowboys see him talking to no one and pantomiming to make himself right at home in the unfinished house. When they come over to question his behavior, he includes them in the game, inviting them into his home. When Ma Hawkins comes along and sees them all playing house, she thinks they’ve gone crazy!
“The Cowboy and the Lady” is wonderfully wholesome entertainment which the whole family can enjoy. One of the best things about classic movies is that they included the highest quality of actors, story material, and production value without adding objectional or offensive content. Thus, people of all ages and entertainment preferences can enjoy beautiful movies from the Golden Era of Hollywood.
