The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Copyright 1 December 1934 by First National Pictures. A Warner Bros. First National Picture, made at Teddington Studios. London trade show: June 1934. 76 minutes. Available on an 8/10 DVD from the Warner Archive (voices are a bit muffled for the first reel)).COMMENT: Although she is hardly remembered today, Laura La Plante was not only an exceptionally popular star in the silents, but was one of the very few of the top names who made a successful transition to sound. Her voice was excellent. But she virtually retired from movies when she married a fellow American, this film's prolific producer, Irving Asher. Admittedly, while Laura La Plante does superbly well by the title role (which calls for some really talented acting), she is to some extent overshadowed by Jane Carr who, most exquisitely dressed by Norman Hartnell, doesn't really have to act at all to draw our attention. The other players are less threatening, although director Monty Banks is inclined to let Ian Hunter and Clifford Heatherley way overstay their limited welcome.

This British film seems more like an American film of the period. It was made by Warner Brothers' British studio and has the same kind of set design, photography, dialogue and pace of WB's American films from the early 30's. In addition, Ian Hunter plays the kind of aggressive businessman we associate (whether rightly or wrongly) with the United States rather than with England. His character in "The Church Mouse" is all extremes: he makes snap decisions, and his anger turns to absurd generosity in the blink of an eye. American actress Laura LaPlante, as a young woman looking for work in those Depression years, gets into his office by climbing through the window and impresses him with her secretarial skills (which are such that we can't help wondering why she hasn't found work long before this). But, after falling in love with him, she soon finds out that he never mixes business with pleasure - whenever he wants to fool around with his secretary, he fires her first. The plot is silly and wildly out of date nowadays, but the film doesn't take itself seriously and is worth seeing once.

I first saw this film many years ago at the NFT.My fond recollections of this were reinforced when i saw it again as a result of its recent airing on TCM.It is a truly charming film.Although it is a quota quickie and most of the film in Paris is spent in the hotel suite it never feels very stagy.Laura La Plante is a true delight as the main lead and is well supported by Ian Hunter.Jane Carr as a femme fatale is a real hoot particularly in early scenes as Hunter's secretary.There are some very interesting exteriors early in the film featuring Piccadilly Circus and The Strand,by the Law Courts.Reassuring to know that some parts of London have not changed in the intervening years.It looks as if the scenes must have been taken from a hidden camera since no one seems to be aware of the camera.

Laura LaPlante is nearly forgotten now, but in the 20s and early 30s she was a big name in films. She made an easy transition to talkies and was a fine light actress as this film proves. LaPlante plays the title character, a mousy secretary who is all efficiency until she falls for her boss (Ian Hunter). Like so many other silent stars, LaPlante should have had a better and bigger career in 30s talkies. This cheapo production hinders but does not ruin her performance. This same story was previously filmed as Beauty and the Boss with Warren William and Marion Nixon, but this version is better. Laura LaPlante is probably best remembered now for starring in the first (and part-talkie) version of Show Boat and for playing Betty Hutton's mother in Spring Reunion.