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      The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

      1936 1h 20m Mystery & Thriller Comedy List
      Reviews 55% Audience Score 100+ Ratings Dr. Lawrence "Brad" Bradford (William Powell) and his ex-wife, Paula (Jean Arthur), are still in love in spite of their divorce. Paula's obsession with murder mysteries remains a wedge between them, until Brad comes across a shifty horse trainer and the suspicious death of a jockey mid-race. Paula and Brad combine to act as sleuths, bringing all the suspects together at a riotous dinner party and discovering in the process that their marriage is very much alive. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine Add this to the long chain of Thin Man successors. Now it's Jean Arthur's turn to be the nosey wife to William Powell's amateur detective... May 4, 2020 Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine You get the feeling that the plot of The Ex-Mrs. Bradford was obtained by mixing half a dozen other plots in a hat. It's exciting and lively, however, and the best plan is to enjoy it while it lasts and not try to figure it out later. Oct 4, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 11, 2005 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It was mildly amusing, but it's not the kind of film you want to bet on as a winner. Rated: B- Apr 26, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Dennis B Bit slow but two great actors I personally love to watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/18/24 Full Review Audience Member William Powell has divorced his wife Jean Arthur, a Murder mystery writer who keeps getting him involved in real life Murders. Jean Arthur is determined to get him back, but in the process gets him involved in yet another murder. Absurd but very funny comedy. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member If they were trying to match the Thin Man pairing, they missed by a mile. Jean Arthur plays well in most parts but the script called for her to be annoying in her role with Powell. Watch it for the expected "who done it" scene it at the end if you can make it that far. This "mystery" is not well-thought out, and the humor and banter between Powell and Arthur is almost non-existent. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member William Powell was so enjoyable in the role of the suave, comical private detective that he played more than one during his career. Most famous, of course, is Nick Charles (husband of Nora, played by Myrna Loy) in the Thin Man series (which began in 1934, based on characters created by Dashiell Hammett). Prior to that, he was Philo Vance (1929-1933) from the books by S. S. Van Dine. So, it comes as no surprise that he turns up here as a doctor who is encouraged into sleuthing by his ex-wife, played by Jean Arthur, who is apparently a mystery writer. The case focuses on the death of a jockey, presumably by heart attack, but later thought to be something more sinister. There is the usual array of minor characters and red herrings who all wind up in a room at the end, so that Powell can identify the murderer (a set-up which must have been cliché even by 1936). The chemistry between Powell and Arthur is pretty good, but no patch on the remarkable pairing of Powell and Loy. She holds her own but has more meaty roles in other films that show off her comic technique better. Eric Blore has a funny bit part as Powell's butler. All told, this is somewhat less than the sum of its parts but fine for fans of the period. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Not up to the Loy-Powell pairings, but entertaining enough. Jean Arthur is very enjoyable. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member good chem twixt powell n arthur Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Dr. Lawrence "Brad" Bradford (William Powell) and his ex-wife, Paula (Jean Arthur), are still in love in spite of their divorce. Paula's obsession with murder mysteries remains a wedge between them, until Brad comes across a shifty horse trainer and the suspicious death of a jockey mid-race. Paula and Brad combine to act as sleuths, bringing all the suspects together at a riotous dinner party and discovering in the process that their marriage is very much alive.
      Director
      Stephen Roberts
      Screenwriter
      Anthony Veiller
      Production Co
      RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
      Genre
      Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      1h 20m