The Palm Beach Story (1942)
The Palm Beach Story Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Tom Jeffers
as Gerry Jeffers
as J.D. Hackensacker III
as Princess Centimillia
as Toto
as Mr. Hinch
as Mr. Osmond
as Dr. Kluck
as Mr. Asweld
as Mr. McKeewie
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as The Gent
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as Members of Ale and Quail Club
as Wienie King
as Manager
as Pullman Conductor
as Conductor
as Bartender
as Porter
as Brakeman
as Orchestra Leader
as Wife of Wienie King
as Man in Apartment
as Prospect
as Conductor
as Doorman
as Near-sighted woman
as Porter
as Officer in Penn Station
as Gateman at Penn Station
as Waiter in Diner
as Shoe Salesman
as Taxi driver
as Jewelry salesman
as Rough-looking comic
as Steward
as Best man
as O'Donnell
as Proprietor of Store
Critic Reviews for The Palm Beach Story
All Critics (28) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (1) | DVD (3)
This might not be the funniest film of Sturges' brilliant '40s heyday ("The Miracle of Morgan's Creek"), or the most subversively romantic ("The Lady Eve"), or the best made ("Sullivan's Travels"), but it's definitely a censor-baiting treat.
This Prestton Sturges production is packed with delightful absurdities.
Rudy Vallee turns in his best performance as a gentle, puny millionaire named Hackensacker in this brilliant, simultaneously tender and scalding 1942 screwball comedy by Preston Sturges.
Hilarious, irresistible, impeccably cast.
It should have been a breathless comedy. But only the actors are breathless -- and that from talking so much.
Sturges' dialogue, as always, is not only sharp, but cutting, delivered with typical flair by the charter members of Sturges' company of actors.
Audience Reviews for The Palm Beach Story
Written and directed by Preston Sturges ("Sullivan's Travels", "The Lady Eve"), The Palm Beach Story once again shows his knack for wittiness and light-hearted cynicism when it comes to conniving females. This time it's Claudette Colbert who uses her feminine wiles to manipulate wealthy men into doing her bidding. Her husband (Joel McCrea) doesn't want to let her go, but she's decided to leave him for the noble cause of letting him live within his means. This means she'll be free to pursue wealthy old men and live the kind of lifestyle she feels she's meant to live, but this of course is only a lucky coincidence for them both. Even with her self-sacrifice, her husband would rather keep ahold of her, and follows her down to Palm Springs where she's latched onto a wealthy poindexter by the name of J.D. Hackensacker the Third (Rudy Vallee). Of course his sister, The Princess Centimillia (Mary Astor) thinks the husband is a dreamboat, but she'll chase after any guy, apparently. Colbert convinces her wealthy beau that her husband is actually her brother, and this leads to double dating and double courtships. The Palm Beach Story stands out from other farcical comedies of it's day because it's rapid fire dialogue and quick pace are still just as clever today as they were when the film was made. Colbert and McCrea are fine as the leads, but it's Vallee and Astor who steal the show. The hedonistic playground of the wealthy is rich fodder for comedies of deceit, and this one takes quite a bit of the cake.
Super Reviewer
A woman separates from her husband so she can gold dig for his benefit. I'm confused by the unanimous approval this film garnered. There are a lot of madcap absurdities from beginning to end, including the most gullible millionaire in film history and some crazy gun-toting club who shoot up a train. More importantly, Claudette Colbert's character's objective is to seduce men into giving her money, which, although believable, makes her character difficult to identify with even if she plans to use the money for a "good cause." And the deus ex machina at the end is too ridiculous to believe. Overall, after a finished watching this film, I was convinced that it was proof that not all old films are gold, and even after I finished reading critics' uncritical support of it, I can't say I've been swayed.
Super Reviewer
Madcap, screwball, shenanigans and hooligan antics abound in this, another Sturges comedy. Starring Claudette Colbert, in another of her zany roles, and the much underappreciated Joel McCrea, there are some immensely funny moments nestled in between the sheets of this 40's film. Besides Colbert's great comedic chops, her character easily falls into desperate situations aboard a train full of gunmen, then takes advantage of a wealthy millionaire to finance her unsuccessful husband's ventures. Great scenes include a featuring of William Demarest (My Three Sons) shooting out a train window with live ammunition, the performance of Sig Arno as the foreign born and unintelligible Toto, and Rudy Vallee serenading his beloved from below while she reconciles with her beau. With some great romantic lighting to set an amorous mood, and the charm of such innocent namecalling as "you cluck" you can't help but enjoy it. The only qualm I hold is that it wasn't a comedy classic such as It Happened One Night or Capra's Platinum Blonde. Still, it holds water.
Super Reviewer
The Palm Beach Story Quotes
| John D. Hackensacker III: | I happen to believe that tipping is un-American. |
| Gerry Jeffers: | Can't you ever learn to be practical? Don't you know that the greatest men in the world have told lies, and let things be misunderstood if it was useful to them. Didn't you ever hear of a campaign promise? |
| Taxi driver: | Yes Maam. |
| Gerry Jeffers: | Where's the best place to get a divorce? |
| Tom Jeffers: | Gerry, for heavens sake! |
| Taxi driver: | Well most people go to Reno NV, but for my money it's Palm Beach. This time of the year you've got the track, you've got the ocean, you've got the palm trees...; three months, you leave from Penn Station. |
| Taxi driver: | Well most people go to Reno, Nevada, but for my money, it's Palm Beach. This time of the year you've got the track, you've got the ocean, you've got the palm trees. Three months, you leave from Penn Station. |