lugonian
EVER SINCE EVE (Warner Brothers, 1937), directed by Lloyd Bacon, stars comedienne Marion Davies in what proved to be her final screen appearance. With her career dating back to the silent era of the 1920s, ranging from drama, historical costume epics and later occasional musicals during the sound era, many agree that Davies was at her best when it came to comedy, especially the available silent Hollywood story titled SHOW PEOPLE (MGM, 1928). Even in sentimental drama as PEG O'MY HEART (MGM, 1933), Davies could be quite appealing. Leaving her home base of MGM by 1934, she settled for Warner Brothers where she starred in four productions before EVER SINCE EVE made it her last before retirement. Whether this was intentional or not is uncertain, for that approaching the age of 40, it would be a matter of time before Davies might turn to character parts or mother roles. Though EVER SINCE EVE is not a Biblical tale of Adam and Eve, it's only a movie title with a song number bearing that title, but no character in the story named Eve. It's a story about a pretty secretary named Marge posing as a homely girl so not to have her male bosses doing more than dictating on company time.Set in San Francisco, California, the story opens by the building of the Peace and Purity League where five pound boo volumes of "The History of Peace" are thrown out the window landing on the sidewalk to a crowd of pedestrians below. The camera soon captures Marge Winton (Marion Davies) quitting the firm after Mr. Mason (Harry Hayden) "was giving dictations but was a little too fast." Her next place of employment for Henderson, Barton and Lowell Imports finds her going through the same routine with the company presidents, Henderson (William B. Davidson), Barton (Pierre Watkin) and Mr. Lowell (John T. Murray), all wanting her to work overtime and in private. At the Johnson Employment Agency, Marge learns of a publishing company hiring only homely women to keep the male workers on their jobs and not on their pretty secretaries. Turning herself into an ugly ducking, Marge takes the position under the male figure of a woman president, Abbie Belldon (Louise Fazenda), who assigns Marge as stenographer under Freddy Matthews (Robert Montgomery), an author whose book is due for completion by May 1st. Matthews delay in meeting the deadline is caused his jealous girlfriend, Camille Lancing (Marcia Ralston), who takes up much of his time playing around. After Marge quits, he soon realizes she's the most efficient stenographer he ever had. Wanting her back in his employ, he comes to her place of residence where he meets the pretty Marge, posing as her roommate, Sadie Day (Patsy Kelly), which stirs up confusion with Sadie's plumbing boyfriend, Jake Edgall (Allen Jenkins). Afraid of losing her job, Marge becomes Sadie, followed by a relationship of love. In order to get his book finished or else face a $30,000 lawsuit, "Sadie" leaves Freddy and heads for Monterey. Unable to forget "Sadie," though ignoring his deadline, Freddy leaves for the Monterey Tavern to find Marge, who stirs up further confusion trying to be two people at the same time without arousing suspicion.Among those in the cast featured are: Barton MacLane (Al McCoy, Jake's boss); Frank McHugh (Mike McGillicuddy, employee under Miss Bellkon using the name of "Mabel DeFlaven); Frederick Clark (Alonzo, Freddy's Butler); Charley Foy (The Bellboy); and Mary Treen (The Employment Clerk), among other. Brief song interludes include: "Shine On, Harvest Moon," "The Wreaths of Flowers," "Ever Since Eve" (by Jack Schroll and M.K. Jerome); and Spanish dance performed by uncredited couple. The pleasing title song is also underscored during title credits and story Overlooking the fact that there was an earlier film bearing the EVER SINCE EVE title for Fox Films (1934) starring George O'Brien and Mary Brian, the one thing about this EVER SINCE EVE should have been was being an exceptional comedy, but somehow became a misfire upon release. Though the casting and comedy lines are well cast and constructed, when released at the time here screwball comedies were on the rage, EVER SINCE EVE didn't seem to warm up to either movie going public or critics possibly because of Davies' unattractive presence of either looking like a comic strip character, or a pale comparison to silent screen actress Colleen Moore in horn-rim glasses and long bangs. Comedienne like Lucille Ball in later years could and would get away with becoming unglamorous types such on television, as this and accepted and adored with laughter by her viewers. It's a wonder how the public might have accepted other leading ladies as Jean Arthur, Carole Lombard or Jean Harlow in the same situation? The plot is formula material, which is no surprise here. Robert Montgomery (on loan from MGM) is quite acceptable as the author with who'd rather have his eyes on attractive women than finishing his novel; while Patsy Kelly, as usual, adds amusement getting a quota of laughs with her one-liners. Barton MacLane, usually a serious actor, is briefly shown as one to date Marge, only to run the opposite direction after seeing her new image.Never distributed to home video, EVER SINCE EVE does deserve a look, especially for it being Marion Davies' farewell performance, whenever it turns up on Turner Classic Movies cable channel. (**)
blanche-2
"Ever Since Eve" is a cute comedy from 1937 starring Marion Davies, Robert Montgomery, Patsy Kelly, and Allen Jenkins. Davies plays a secretary who gets sick of the men she works for hitting on her all the time - so sick, in fact, that she makes herself into a homely frump and goes to work for Robert Montgomery, who plays an author in need of someone efficient so that he can finish his book.Davies' transformation is very good, but I have to admit that I didn't find her so much of a knockout normally that no man could keep his hands off of her. It was really a role for someone like Jean Harlow. The interesting thing is, Davies was 40 at the time. It was unusual in those days for an actress to still be playing starring roles by then and only superstars with clout could get away with it. Norma Shearer retired at 40, as did Greta Garbo; by the time Joan Crawford was 38, MGM was giving her junk, and she was drummed out of the studio.Davies is very good, and the film is cute, with good performances from the rest of the cast. Davies' acting abilities come as no surprise to me, as I have enjoyed many of her performances. She was a bright presence as well."Ever Since Eve" goes down easily. It's not a masterpiece, not a classic screwball comedy, but it's very enjoyable.
Dr. Ed-2
Very underrated comedy stars Marion Davies (in her final film) as a woman who frumps herself up to land a secretarial job. Because the frump is efficient, the boss (Robert Montgomery) continues to chase women: a conniving shrew (Marcia Ralston) and a blonde beauty (Davies!) who he meets at a nightclub. Role-reversal comedy is fun from the start with Davies at her comic peak as the dour frump. She's not afraid to look really bad. Excellent supporting cast includes Patsy Kelly, Allen Jenkins, Frank McHugh, Louise Fazenda, and Mary Treen. Once again Davies proves she had acting talent (given the right roles) and that was was a total delight. Her best comedy performances stand up against those of Carole Lombard, Myrna Loy, Jean Arthur or Irene Dunne. Catch this one.
Sterling-3
Had always heard how rotten this film was. Imagine my surprise when I finally saw it and found it one of the most enjoyable of the Warner's 30's comedies. Marion is a delight, totally natural . . . which is why I guess, they never thought she could act! The film has a great supporting cast. Louise Fazenda has a hilarious role as Abigail Beldon the book publisher, and Merle Oberon look alike, Marcia Ralston makes a vicious "other woman". The whole thing is fun. Take it for what it is . . . just entertainment.Oh yes, plot is Marion makes herself over to be plain and ugly to get a job and falls for Robert Mongomery, her employer.
