Ann Harding

William Powell

Lucile Browne

Henry Stephenson

Lilian Bond

George Meeker

Reginald Owen

Kay Hammond

Leigh Allen

Hugh Huntley

Wallis Clark

Fred Santley

Irving Bacon

Lita Chevret

Wong Chung

Jean Malin

John Cromwell

Edward Poor Montgomery

Jane Murfin

J. Roy Hunt

Kenneth Macgowan

Walter Plunkett

George Nichols Jr.

Doran Cox

Merian C. Cooper

James Daly

Eddie Pyle

Ollie Sigurdson

Jim Kirley

Comedy

Romance

Double Harness

RKO Radio Pictures

United States of America

CinemaSerf

Just in case you are expecting, from the title, some sort of equine shenanigans - then think again. This is quite a clever romance all about money and trust - or lack of/need for both. Ann Harding ("Joan") marries wealthy playboy William Powell ("Fletcher") and it is clear from the outset that his money is her prime motivation. He seems content enough with the arrangement, has a mistress and they agree that after a suitable period, they will divorce. Of course, it doesn't quite turn out that way and John Cromwell manages to take an ordinary melodrama and inject some panache into it. Both stars are on good form, the writing is subtle, humorous and does much to keep the characterisations engaging (if not especially likeable). Henry Stephenson puts in a good turn as her father, as does her almost as venal sister "Val" (Lucille Browne). It's a variation of an oft told story, nothing greatly new - but it has a charm about it that I found just a bit better than I was initially expecting.

English