Good story, Not enough for a whole film

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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.

For the most part Double Wedding is a standard rom-com about opposites attracting, with Myrna Loy and William Powell carrying most of the screenplay weight. But it's John Beal's delightfully clueless literal- minded suitor to Loy's sister (ably but forgettably played by Florence Rice) that makes this film work. Scenes he shares with Powell as a hopeless actor and would-be man of the world are laugh-out-loud funny. His style of understated flat-affect comedy wouldn't become popular until the Coen brothers. Powell and Loy are capable as always, and the sets and costumes have a high sheen, but this film is Beal's steal. There's lots of misunderstandings and misapprehensions, all of which don't add much to the genre, but it's an amusing way to spend a few hours in the company of experts.

Margit Agnew (Myrna Loy) owns a dress shop that she runs with the precision of a Swiss watch. In fact, she micromanages every aspect of her life and the lives of her sister Irene (Florence Rice) and Irene's fiancé, Waldo Beaver (John Beal). In fact, she put the happy couple together in the first place. Except that the couple is not so happy, because Margit's forte is managing, not feelings.Irene is disappointed in her intended, because he is, basically, a dim-witted, though likable, dolt. And he never takes charge like she thinks a real man should. Not to worry, though, because this is a comedy and their dissatisfaction is merely the setup for fun.Irene and Waldo are rehearsing for a movie written by the bohemian artist Charles Lodge (William Powell, who is teaming with Myra Loy for their seventh film together). When Charlie shows Waldo how to conduct himself in a love scene, Irene convinces herself that she now loves Charlie. She tells Margit who, needing to put her plan back on track, marches over to Charlie's trailer--parked at the curb on a city street. But she is no match for the eccentric whimsy of the easy-going Charlie.This film has much to recommend it, but it is the writing that drives this film and makes it so much fun. The plot is fairly routine, but the dialogue is full of comedic gems. Some are understated, some are wacky. They deliver some great zingers and classic pratfalls.Also notable are the fashions. Loy, in particular, is dressed well--fitting for the owner of a dress shop. The background music is superb, often utilizing a recorder to achieve the needed whimsical quality.The cast is wonderful. Waldo's personality is sometimes trying, but that is how he is written. Sidney Toler portrays Keough, a butler who is a former policeman and who behaves like a detective with his powers of observation and deduction. In 1938, Toler will take over the Charlie Chan franchise. It seems like he is preparing here. I do not think this was an easy script to pull off. Between the director's attention to timing and the actors' commitment to their characters, "Double Wedding" works very well.Despite the slapstick and some scenes that devolve into a general ruckus, the script is clever. Loy's determined dryness and the scattered non sequiturs are highlights. How smart they were to toy with the chemistry of the successful Powell-Loy team and put them in this different film that still plays to the strengths of each.

If you've enjoyed any of The Thin Man movies, then you'll most likely enjoy Double Wedding, too. (Of course, if you've never seen The Thin Man, you can certainly enjoy this movie. Then, hie thyself off to The Thin Man.) Powell and Loy are delightful, as always. The plot appears to be very loosely based upon The Taming of The Shrew (which should not be a spoiler but I'm not taking any chances.) I enjoy the cars, the wardrobes, the sets, and most everything in movies of this era. Not only entertaining for the fabulous writing, but a glimpse into history and current events of that time. The upper-class lifestyle portrayed here is certainly an interesting contrast to Depression era newsreel footage and movies like The Grapes of Wrath. (And if anyone can enlighten me about the Oscar that topples off the table near the end of the film, I would appreciate it.)

Double Wedding is a wonderful comedy loaded with great dialogue and wit. This was just one of the 14 movies Powell and Loy teamed up for. It was during the filming of this movie that Powell's fiancee Jean Harlow died. Filming was halted for six weeks and Powell returned to finish the movie. He then went to Europe for a year before teaming with Loy again in 37 for another Thin Man movie.