In the black and white film “Wedding Present,” Cary Grant stars as Charlie Mason, an irresponsible, happy-go-lucky newspaper reporter who’s head over heels in love with fellow reporter, Rusty Fleming (Joan Bennett). When plans to get a marriage license go awry, Rusty takes it as a sign that their marriage isn’t meant to be, and she calls it off. Not to be deterred so easily, Charlie sets out on a plan to get her back.
Meanwhile, the two of them are sent out to interview the Archduke (Gene Lockhart), in town to celebrate his engagement. They take him out on a round of local pubs and have a wonderful time, and he gives them a story—in fact, he gives them an exclusive story. He’s going to call off his wedding. After seeing the two of them together, he knows what real love is, and he doesn’t want to go through with the sham his marriage would be.
After the newspaper runs the story, Charlie and Rusty are famous. In fact, the newspaper offers Charlie the job of city editor, and that’s when things really go sour in their relationship. The position goes to Charlie’s head and he’s soon making enemies of everyone. Rusty decides to head for New York, and it’s only after she gets engaged to a self-help guru that Charlie realizes what he’s lost and the mess he’s made of his job, and goes after her.
I enjoyed this film, but not as much as Grant’s others. This movie was made in 1936, before he hit his stride and happened upon the persona we would come to know as “Cary Grant.” In fact, he seems to be rather at loose ends in this film, and I have to give credit to Joan Bennett for being more on target than Grant himself. All in all, it was a pleasant story, but I can’t say I’m jumping up and down over it.
This movie was not rated.
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