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      If You Could Only Cook

      1935 1h 10m Romance Comedy List
      Reviews 54% Audience Score 100+ Ratings Frustrated by his board of directors' refusal to approve a radical new design, car company executive Jim (Herbert Marshall) strikes up a conversation with homeless Joan (Jean Arthur) in a park. When she describes the difficulties of getting a job as a cook by herself, Jim agrees to help by posing as her butler husband. After being hired by gangster Mike (Leo Carrillo), Jim and Joan begin to fall for each other, causing Jim to question his upcoming marriage to socialite Evelyn (Frieda Inescort). Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (2) Critics Reviews
      Nathanael Hood Unseen Films ... fails to come together due to Seiter's flat, lifeless direction. Rated: 4/10 Apr 28, 2020 Full Review Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine Herbert Marshall very stiff, and Jean Arthur set back after a few recent successes... Apr 22, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (13) audience reviews
      Steve D The script could be better but the cast is great. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review Audience Member Obviously a B-movie, but worthy if you're a classic screwball fan (heavy shades of My Man Godfrey, if you thought Godfrey should've run off with the maid). The silliness is carried by Jean Arthur and Herbert Marshall playing their comic personas to the hilt: Jean Arthur as the quintessential savvy yet vulnerable girl-next-door and Herbert Marshall as the elegantly charming douchebag, with all the mixed-up identities and Depression-era backdrop one requires. Could probably be fleshed out to be a more sensible and much better film, but as it is, it doesn't have an ounce of flesh to spare on its 70 minute frame. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member crafty and fun rom-com. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member A surprisingly charming screwball comedy about a millionaire pretending to be a butler to get closer to the woman he likes who genuinely needs to be a butler for cash. A first seemingly a silly film, the humour grows on you & you find yourself going with it. All the supporting actors in this film just work & really add to the film, but it's really Jean Arthur who steals the show she is just such a talent. A fun film, that is seldom mentioned in film lists but it is a really enjoyable film that deserves a bit of attention. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Sweet comedy with Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur an unlikely but potent pair. It is light as air but a saucy souffle. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Delightful screwball comedy, surprisingly it is not very well known but it should be. Jean Arthur is wonderful, Herbert Marshall excels in an offbeat role for him. The supporting cast is excellent, especially Lionel Stander, but Leo Carillo is terrific as well, Funny, fast paced and very entertaining. Good screenplay, fine costume design. Light and fun. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      If You Could Only Cook

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Frustrated by his board of directors' refusal to approve a radical new design, car company executive Jim (Herbert Marshall) strikes up a conversation with homeless Joan (Jean Arthur) in a park. When she describes the difficulties of getting a job as a cook by herself, Jim agrees to help by posing as her butler husband. After being hired by gangster Mike (Leo Carrillo), Jim and Joan begin to fall for each other, causing Jim to question his upcoming marriage to socialite Evelyn (Frieda Inescort).
      Director
      William A. Seiter
      Screenwriter
      Howard J. Green, Gertrude Purcell, F. Hugh Herbert
      Genre
      Romance, Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Apr 2, 2013
      Runtime
      1h 10m