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If You Could Only Cook

Play trailer Poster for If You Could Only Cook 1935 1h 10m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 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).

Critics Reviews

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Robert Daniels RogerEbert.com 08/24/2024
The film’s casting is so spot on, especially the spitfire Arthur, alongside the hilarious Lionel Stander as Rossini’s lieutenant, that the ensuing hijinks still power the threadbare story without much let up. Go to Full Review
Nathanael Hood Unseen Films 04/28/2020
4/10
... fails to come together due to Seiter's flat, lifeless direction. Go to Full Review
Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy) Esquire Magazine 04/22/2020
Herbert Marshall very stiff, and Jean Arthur set back after a few recent successes... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Steve D 01/05/2024 The script could be better but the cast is great. See more 12/16/2012 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. See more 12/02/2012 crafty and fun rom-com. See more 08/14/2012 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. See more 01/30/2012 Sweet comedy with Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur an unlikely but potent pair. It is light as air but a saucy souffle. See more 03/26/2010 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. See more Read all reviews
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