Heiress Nancy Crocker Fleming will only receive her inheritance if she marries a "plain American." Her late father was afraid a foreign gigolo would steal her heart and money. So Nancy pays Tony Anthony, working on a WPA road project, to marry, then divorce her. When Nancy inadvertently drives off with Tony's dog, Tony seemingly kidnaps her to retrieve the pooch, which leads to a cross-country race between the two to reach Reno and the divorce court since neither one wants to be the second to file papers.
Acting
Lucille Ball's pre-sitcom screwball chops are divine.
Writing
Kanin's snappy dialogue keeps the absurd premise airborne.
Production
Depression-era WPA detail grounds the fluffy escapism.
Director
Garson Kanin
Lucille Ball
Nancy Crocker Fleming
James Ellison
Anthony J. Anthony
Lee Bowman
Count Georgi
Granville Bates
H.E. Crocker
Mantan Moreland
Tilby
Elliott Sullivan
Red
Murray Alper
Joe
Jack Albertson
Reporter (uncredited)
Eddie Acuff
Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
Joseph E. Bernard
Man Watering Lawn (uncredited)
Stanley Blystone
Police Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Jack Carson
Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Ralph Dunn
Kennel Guard (uncredited)
Dick Elliott
Henry (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Garson Kanin directed this at 26, his first feature, before becoming a legendary Broadway playwright and Audrey Hepburn's acting coach.
The WPA road crew setting wasn't random—1938 audiences would recognize Depression relief work, making Tony's 'plain American' status politically loaded. The film essentially argues New Deal dignity beats European aristocracy.
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