🍽️ Breakfast for Two (1937) – A Romantic Screwball Delight
Step back into the golden age of Hollywood with Breakfast for Two (1937), a sparkling romantic comedy featuring the ever-charming Barbara Stanwyck and the dapper Herbert Marshall. Directed by Alfred Santell, this witty tale of love, business, and breakfast in bed runs a breezy 1 hour and 19 minutes, offering a delicious serving of pre-war Hollywood charm.
In the classic tradition of screwball comedy, the film blends romance, misunderstandings, and fast-paced dialogue, perfect for fans of clever banter and vintage style. With crisp direction, sparkling chemistry, and a strong supporting cast, Breakfast for Two is a true gem of the 1930s.
🎞️ Plot Summary
Set against the backdrop of Manhattan high society, the story revolves around Valerie Iris (Barbara Stanwyck), a wealthy Texan heiress with a head for business and a heart set on romance. When she discovers that the object of her affection—Jonathan Blair (Herbert Marshall), a debonair but lazy playboy—is about to lose control of his late father's shipping business due to neglect, she decides to take charge… quite literally.
Valerie uses her wit, charm, and financial muscle to buy up Blair’s company out from under him—not to ruin him, but to inspire him. Her unconventional tactics not only help put the company back on track but also set the stage for a comic battle of wills between two strong-minded individuals who may just be perfect for each other.
Add in a meddling butler, an ex-girlfriend with motives of her own, and a web of comic misunderstandings, and you have the ingredients for a sparkling screwball comedy that never lets up.
🎭 Main Cast
Barbara Stanwyck as Valerie Iris – The bold, brilliant, and beautiful Texan heiress.
Herbert Marshall as Jonathan Blair – The suave but aimless playboy.
Glenda Farrell as Carol Wallace – Jonathan’s glamorous but scheming girlfriend.
Eric Blore as Butler Butch – The hilariously proper and protective servant.
Donald Meek as Blair's Business Manager – Caught between loyalty and logic.
Leonard Mudie as Mr. Carrington – A stakeholder with his own agenda.