Hard to Get (1929 film)

Hard to Get
Lobby card
Directed by	William Beaudine
Screenplay by	Screenplay & titles: James Gruen Richard Weil
Based on	"Classified" (1927 story) from Mother Knows Best by Edna Ferber
Produced by	Ray Rockett
Starring	Dorothy Mackaill Charles Delaney James Finlayson Louise Fazenda
Cinematography	John F. Seitz
Edited by	Stuart Heisler
Music by	Alois Reiser
Production company	First National Pictures
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	August 4, 1929 (1929-08-04)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Hard to Get is a 1929 American all-talking sound pre-Code comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring Dorothy Mackaill, Charles Delaney and James Finlayson.

Plot

Bobby Martin (Dorothy Mackaill), a spirited and stylish young woman, works as a mannequin in a fashionable New York modiste shop. Though she lives modestly with her close-knit family—her father (James Finlayson), mother (Louise Fazenda), and brother Marty (Jack Oakie)—Bobby keeps up appearances with chic clothing bought on the installment plan.

Each morning, while waiting on the corner for a ride downtown, Bobby often receives offers of lifts from well-dressed strangers—“philanthropic gentlemen” passing by in their cars. Seeing no harm in accepting, she occasionally accepts the rides. It’s through this chance that she meets Dexter Courtland (Edmund Burns), a wealthy bachelor with a reputation for chasing women, and Jerry Dillon (Charles Delaney), a cheerful, good-natured fellow with a modest car and a lot of charm.

Though Dexter invites her to a fancy lunch, Bobby is far more interested in the down-to-earth Jerry. However, to have a little fun and test Dexter’s intentions, she pretends to be a wealthy society girl, even giving Dexter's own mother's address as her own. Courtland soon realizes she’s putting on airs, but rather than exposing her, he’s charmed by her beauty and boldness, and continues to pursue her.

One evening, Jerry is brought home by Bobby’s brother Marty and meets the whole Martin family, deepening his connection with Bobby. He later invites her out for a spin in his dilapidated “flivver.”

The next night, Jerry’s car breaks down before their date. Dexter arrives first and offers Bobby a ride. She reluctantly accepts and convinces him to take her to Jerry’s favorite hangout, hoping to cross paths. Meanwhile, Jerry—disappointed but undeterred—shows up with another girl, only to awkwardly run into Bobby and Dexter at the same spot.

Bobby and Jerry quarrel, each wounded by jealousy and misunderstanding. Jerry quickly drops his date, but Bobby, disillusioned by Dexter’s persistent advances, decides to walk home alone.

Before long, the misunderstanding is cleared up, and Bobby realizes her heart has always belonged to Jerry. She sheds her glamorous persona and gives up the fine clothes and illusions of high society. Choosing love over pretense, Bobby becomes the devoted wife of straight-shooting, honest Jerry, ready to build a life based on mutual respect and sincerity.

Cast

Dorothy Mackaill and Edmund Burns in Hard to Get

• Dorothy Mackaill as Bobby Martin
• Charles Delaney as Jerry Dillon
• James Finlayson as Pa Martin
• Louise Fazenda as Ma Martin
• Jack Oakie as Marty Martin
• Edmund Burns as Dexter Courtland
• Clarissa Selwynne as Mrs. Cortland

Music

The film featured a theme song entitled "Things We Want Most Are Hard To Get" which was composed by Al Bryan, John McLaughlin and George W. Meyer.

See also

• List of early sound feature films (1926–1929)
• Classified (1925)

External links

• Hard to Get at IMDb
• Hard to Get at the TCM Movie Database
• Still #1 and #2 at gettyimages.com