Personal Property

1937 "See Bob as a butler! See Jean as the adventuress who hires him! Thrill to 'em both-as rowdy "snuggle-pups," who can't give each other anything but love!"
6.5| 1h24m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 19 March 1937 Released
Producted By: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Country:
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Raymond Dabney returns to his family after trouble with the law. He convinces the sheriff to give him a job watching the house and furniture of widow Crystal Wetherby without knowing she is engaged to his brother.

Genre

Comedy, Romance

Watch Online

Personal Property (1937) is currently not available on any services.

Director

W.S. Van Dyke

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

AD
AD

Watch Free for 30 Days

All Prime Video Movies and TV Shows. Cancel anytime.
Watch Now
Personal Property Videos and Images
View All
  • Top Credited Cast
  • |
  • Crew

Personal Property Audience Reviews

Artivels Undescribable Perfection
GamerTab That was an excellent one.
Lawbolisted Powerful
VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
vincentlynch-moonoi I was looking forward to watching this film, because I have come to appreciate more Robert Taylor's films, and more recently enjoyed several of Jean Harlow's films. But, at least to me, the situation or "set up" for this film was way too contrived to be believable. I just don't believe that even the basic situation -- that a man would be required to live in a woman's house under these circumstances -- is just beyond belief.I have no complaint about the performances. Taylor was good in light comedy. I did think -- as another reviewer mentioned -- that Harlow was a bit heavy handed here. However, the chemistry works, even if (at least for me) the plot didn't. Throw in some old reliables -- Reginald Owen, the delightful Una O'Connor, and Cora Witherspoon, and you have the ingredients for a good comedy...except it didn't pan out.I don't recommend this film. Both leads have far better fare you can select from.
kindtxgal Female Dinner Guest: "What is your line, Mr. Dabney?" Mr. Dabney: "I'm in lady's underwear." Dabney's Father: "...We're both in ladies' underwear." and further discussions about (ahem) BVDs (boys' ventilated drawers).But a few excerpts (no spoilers) of the kind of witticism threading throughout this very delightful film starring Jean Harlow, Robert Taylor, and a fantastic supporting British cast.Harlow plays an American girl who marries an alleged wealthy Englishman and gets stuck with the bill so to speak. Robert Taylor is a prodigal son type that is denounced by his well-to-do family. Taylor and Harlow meet and sparks of wit pour over the silver screen from opening to closing credit.Truly a delightful, fun, completely whimsical, happy encounter with a wide range of comedic actors and star performances by Taylor and Harlow, particularly, in my opinion, Robert Taylor.Enjoy!
SimonJack On the film, "Personal Property," I take exception to the comments of a couple of regular IMDb reviewers whom I especially appreciate and respect. I think Robert Taylor is perfectly cast as Raymond Dabney in this film. And, that "Personal Property" is a wonderful comedy and excellent film for Jean Harlow as Cyrstal Wetherby. The film even gains a notch by a fine supporting cast in some warm and funny roles. Jean Harlow, of course, gets top billing in this film, and she is very good. Just three months after this film's release, Harlow died of blood poisoning caused by kidney failure. But it is Taylor and others in the supporting cast who are the source of most of the great comedy in this film. Notable among the supporters are Reginald Owen as Raymond's brother, Claude Dabney, and Forrester Harvey as Bailiff Herbert Jenkins. Owen was a very talented English actor and well-known character actor of Hollywood. He played a variety of roles. In this comedic venture, he puffs himself up so absurdly that he's a riot. And his character adds much to the fun of the film. Taylor and Harlow have excellent chemistry, and Taylor shows a natural flair for and ease with comedy. It surprised me a great deal, because until seeing this film I wasn't aware that he had made comedies. I was used to the more serious roles of his later career. In some roles, I thought he was serious to the point of being droll (i.e., "Waterloo Bridge" in 1940 and D-Day the Sixth of June" in 1956). Taylor's first comedy/romance was a year earlier before this in "Small Town Girl" with Janet Gaynor. But he had made a name for himself already in some smashing dramatic films, including "Magnificent Obsession" of 1935 and "Camille" of 1936. So, I'm not surprised, as some reviewers are, that Taylor would get the comedy lead in "Personal Property," where it otherwise would seem to be a role made for Franchot Tone. No doubt, Louis B. Mayer was trying his rising leading male actor in different venues to see how high his star might rise. And, it continued to rise with this film. Still, Taylor made only a few comedy films after this. "Lucky Night" in 1939 with Myrna Loy was a drama-comedy. Neither it, nor "Remember?" of that same year scored as well. So MGM may have decided to keep their handsome male lead in dramas, romances, war, mystery and Western films – all of which he did quite well. The only other comedy Taylor would make that would have some success was "Many Rivers to Cross" in 1955 with Eleanor Powell. This film has some hilarious scenes. In a couple, Taylor serves as a sheriff's assistant for a bailiff with a big bill for Mrs. Wetherby. In another couple, he is the Wetherby butler to the dismay of his family who are dumbfounded. He brings out the best (in acting) of his brother, Claude, in this role. Barnett Parker plays a pompous highbrow by the name of Arthur 'Trevy' Trevelyan. His nose is so high in the air, that he just mumbles his name to Raymond who is playing the butler, Ferguson. Ferguson announces him as closely as possible, and everyone knows who he is right away. It's hilarious to see Taylor announce him: "Fooh fu Fo Fon Fu." Crystal and Raymond are romantically on and off toward each other, with some very funny lines. As he's going upstairs to find the butler's uniform, Crystal says, "And while we're on the subject, just what did they send you to jail for?" Raymond, "Murder!" Crystal, "Well, I wish it had been suicide."This is a fine comedy romance that I think the whole family will enjoy. There are just enough antics to amuse young children and keep them interested as well. Of course, we older children can enjoy it for all the comedy, romance, family jousting and many good performances. This is a nice addition to my comedy film library.
Kalaman Apparently the only film Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor starred together, this harmless but ultimately forgettable MGM star vehicle is gravely marred by plush MGM studio sets and a drab, unconvincing direction by W.S. Van Dyke, though it has its moments of unintentional humor. But given the stars and the studio, this could have been more entertaining. It is a tedious mélange of romance and comedy that somehow frazzles or drowns when a good or funny scene ends. Harlow plays an impoverished but glamorous American widow named Crystal Wetherby who, at first, has her sights set on a penniless Englishman (Reginald Owen) but soon becomes interested in Robert Taylor. If you are a fan of the stars, "Personal Property" can be eminently watchable, though Dyke's sluggish pacing can be gruelling at times.