Both Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were such charismatic and likeable presences. Lombard was a joy in so much of her work and her tragic early death was a huge loss, and Gable was suave and versatile as well as difficult to look away from. 'No Man of Her Own' had an attention grabbing title and the premise while unoriginal sounded entertaining. It was also interesting to see Gable and Lombard so early in their careers together before they became a married couple.
'No Man of Her Own' is definitely worth watching, but there are major drawbacks that stop it from being an essential as an overall film. It is though a must if one wants to see Gable and Lombard together pre-marriage and back when they were still in a way finding their styles, or see everything both have done. A curio if you will, though faring better than quite a lot of other curiosities that vary wildly in quality, with 'No Man of Her Own' is somewhere around high-middle of the pack. Has Gable done better? Oh yes, most definitely. Has Lombard? Yes, though her role here suits her perfectly.
Gable and Lombard are the main reasons to see 'No Man of Her Own' too. Gable is attractive, never less than very confident and very charming. It is also difficult to resist Lombard, whose presence is just riveting and so endearing, she has bubbly comic timing and she handles the more serious parts without being too sentimental. They are very at ease together too and gel so well, they could easily pass for a real-life married couple here.
The production values are not lavish but they have class. The offbeat parts of the script sparkle in wit and the dialogue doesn't feel too corny or awkward generally with some genuine fuel. Grant Withers and Elizabeth Patterson are every bit as engaging as Gable and Lombard and enough of the film goes at a swift rate.
Wesley Ruggles' direction though doesn't rise enough above "getting the job done but routine" level, and although the supporting cast are capable only Withers and Patterson stand out as the only memorable supporting characters.
Did find too much of the story stretched too thin, with a few too many all too easy contrivances and some parts are more complicated than needed. The ending also struck a false note, too saccharine and far too pat.
Summing up, above average if not much more than that. See it for Gable and Lombard, who really do rise above their material. 6/10
'No Man of Her Own' is definitely worth watching, but there are major drawbacks that stop it from being an essential as an overall film. It is though a must if one wants to see Gable and Lombard together pre-marriage and back when they were still in a way finding their styles, or see everything both have done. A curio if you will, though faring better than quite a lot of other curiosities that vary wildly in quality, with 'No Man of Her Own' is somewhere around high-middle of the pack. Has Gable done better? Oh yes, most definitely. Has Lombard? Yes, though her role here suits her perfectly.
Gable and Lombard are the main reasons to see 'No Man of Her Own' too. Gable is attractive, never less than very confident and very charming. It is also difficult to resist Lombard, whose presence is just riveting and so endearing, she has bubbly comic timing and she handles the more serious parts without being too sentimental. They are very at ease together too and gel so well, they could easily pass for a real-life married couple here.
The production values are not lavish but they have class. The offbeat parts of the script sparkle in wit and the dialogue doesn't feel too corny or awkward generally with some genuine fuel. Grant Withers and Elizabeth Patterson are every bit as engaging as Gable and Lombard and enough of the film goes at a swift rate.
Wesley Ruggles' direction though doesn't rise enough above "getting the job done but routine" level, and although the supporting cast are capable only Withers and Patterson stand out as the only memorable supporting characters.
Did find too much of the story stretched too thin, with a few too many all too easy contrivances and some parts are more complicated than needed. The ending also struck a false note, too saccharine and far too pat.
Summing up, above average if not much more than that. See it for Gable and Lombard, who really do rise above their material. 6/10