The Bride Came C.O.D. (1941) "She Came Collect and His Heart Paid the Frieght!"

The Bride Came C.O.D. (1941)  Warner Bros
Directed by: William Keighly
Starring: Bette Davis, James Cagney, Stuart Erwin & Jack Carson

Music By: Max Steiner
Comstume Design: Orry-Kelly

Taglines:

She Came Collect and his heart paid the freight . . . in the year's romantic explosion !

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~ This great teaming of Davis & Cagney (the two biggest stars of Warner Bros) is a funny gem and they shine together on screen. This is actually the 2nd film that two made the first being, "Jimmy The Gent" (1934).


Plot:

It is the beginning of the 1940's and the sensation of big bands and the bandleaders being a hot commodity is in full swing. This is no different for heiress Joan Winfield (Bette Davis) who meets a handsome bandleader being Alan Brice (Jack Carson). Joan is right away smitten with the star bandleader and his suave ways. The two met and very quickly decided to elope since Joan's father is surely not going to approve. Alan and Joan the lovely young couple decide to hire a pilot, Steve Collins (James Cagney) to whisk them away for the nuptuals.

Steve Collins is aware of Joan's status in society and how this wedding would be an issue with her family. Prior to taking off with the young couple, Steve makes a phone call to Joan's father Lucius (Eugene Pallette) who wants to prevent this wedding at all costs. Steve makes an offer that Lucius can not refuse which is for a fee he will ensure the marriage will not happen. Upon returning Joan to her father he would be paid a handsome sum which would free him of debt. The offer is agreed upon.

Steve then tells Alan something to get him off the plan as his scheme begins......with Alan off the plane the fun begins! Steve flies out with him and Joan on board and leaves Alan behind. Joan then finds out of this and is very angry so finds a parachute to jump out and be with her bow. The issue is that the parachute is on wrong and Steve sees this and tries to help her by doing so the plan crashes nearby a ghost town called Bonanza.

A lot of action and adventure occurs while they are in the ghost town from meeting the lone resident  being Pop Tolliver, Joan's trying to escape into an abandoned mine, and the both are trapped in a cave together. They both notice an attraction for one another though Allan is on his way to the ghost town to rescue his soon to be bride with a judge in tow for the wedding ceremony. Even more crazy antics occur in this delightful comedy very worth watching!



Quotes:
Joan Winfield: [singsong] I'm not going anywhere with you!
Steve Collins: Oh yes you are!
Joan Winfield: No I'm not I'm not I'm nooooot.
Steve Collins: Then Stevie will just have to come in and taaaake you!

Vivacious Lady (1938) "you'll be reminded of me"

Vivacious Lady (1938)
Directed By: George Stevens
Starring: Ginger Rogers, Jimmy Stewart, Charles Coburn, Beulah Bondi, & Jack Carson

~ Nomianted for two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography & Best Sound, Recording.
~ A radio production in 1940 was done starring Ginger Rogers, Fred MacMurray & Charles Coburn.

Plot:

Professor Peter Morgan (Stewart) whom is from a very nice repsected family and small town goes into NYC to rescue his troubled cousin. While in NYC Peter meets a nightclub singer whom is from a very different world than he named Francey (Rogers). They both seem to be smitten with one another and fall head over heels. Things happen fast and before we know it the couple are wed in the city. Peter heads back with his new wife to his small town to introduce Francey to his parents. Well, this does not go off as well as planned.

since his parents are stunned by this nightclub singer whom is vastly different than they. Peter gets cold feet and has trouble finding the right words to tell his parents the news so does not say anything. Francey meets her rival whom has her eyes set on Peter. There are choice words thrown at Francey so a few slaps and a good catfight ensues between the ladies. This is darn funny! Peter is a professor at a college so Francey stays at a lady's dorm for the evening so things cool down. Peter's mother Martha (Bondi) then goes to talk with Francey whom then finds out by accident that they are wed. The two ladies have a good conversation and respect one another. Peter's father Peter Morgan Sr. (Coburn) heads over and knows of the marriage and is angry and wants them to divorce and no such thing is going to happen. Martha decides she is tired of the marriage and being bullied and leaves with Francey to NYC. Both ladies think they are better off as single dames but find themselves very sad and teary eyed. To the amazement both Peter and his father whom was in an accident to get to them get to the train and all is well, I love a good ending! The two couples are happy!