Passion Flower

I'm really not a Kay Francis fan. I find her very unappealing and extremely lacking in talent. As Passion Flower starts, it doesn't seem like Kay is the lead, but her part increases as the movie continues. Kay's cousin, Kay Johnson, is really the lead, since her character is more central to the story, but Kay Francis is still supposed to be the wildly attractive, irresistible one.

Kay Johnson comes from a wealthy family, but she falls in love with the poor chauffer, Charles Bickford. She gets cast out of her family when they marry, but they're too much in love to care. It's such an adorable beginning when they marry and get their first apartment. I've never seen Charlie in such a sweet, adorable role. They're both happy and in love, and they don't care about living in an attic with tiny rooms. As soon as they tell the landlady they'll take the room, they dig in their pockets to see how much money they have. After the first week's rent, they have ten dollars left in the whole world. "Now, I'll get a job," Charlie declares, opening the newspaper. It's so optimistic and sweet, as if they're gracing the world with their presences.

Then Kay Francis shows up and ruins everything. She pretends to be supportive of her cousin's choice, but she has an ulterior motive. The years pass, and the newlyweds struggle along with a low-paying job and two small children, and still Kay Francis-who's married to the wealthy, tolerant Lewis Stone-meddles. I know Charlie's a cutie-pie, with his brown curly hair and his gruff voice, but leave him alone! If you want to find out which Kay gets the guy, rent Passion Flower. You'll get to see Ray Milland in one of his first roles, as a drunken party guest who can't find his hat.