The Bride Walks Out

The Bride Walks Out from 1936 is a romantic comedy directed by Leigh Jason and featuring a talented cast of actors, including Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Raymond, and Robert Young. The film tells the story of a young couple, Carolyn and Peter, who get married at the beginning of the film after a brief courtship.

However, their honeymoon period is short-lived as they soon start to realize that they are very different people. Carolyn is an independent and ambitious working woman, while Peter is content to work at his father's business and go out with his friends. This leads to a lot of arguments and tensions between the newlyweds, with both of them feeling dissatisfied with their marriage.

Things come to a head when Carolyn gets a promotion at work and decides to take a trip to Paris to celebrate. Peter is upset that she is putting her career before their marriage and refuses to go with her. Carolyn is hurt, but she decides to take the trip anyway, hoping that some time apart will help them figure things out.

While in Paris, Carolyn meets an American businessman named Michael who is charming, attentive, and completely smitten with her. They start to spend a lot of time together, and Carolyn begins to see a different side of herself. She starts to question whether she really wants to be married to Peter and whether she would be happier with Michael.

Meanwhile, Peter is back at home in New York, realizing how much he misses Carolyn and how much he took her for granted. He realizes that he needs to make some changes if he wants to save their marriage.

The rest of the film follows Carolyn and Peter as they try to navigate the ups and downs of married life and figure out if they truly belong together. Along the way, they get advice from various friends and family members, including Peter's father, Carolyn's boss, and even a wise old judge.

One of the strengths of The Bride Walks Out is its sharp and witty script, which is full of clever one-liners and snappy dialogue. The film also benefits from the chemistry between the three lead actors, with Stanwyck, Raymond, and Young all delivering strong performances.

Another notable aspect of the film is its depiction of gender roles and relationships in the 1930s. Carolyn is a rare example of a female character who is focused on her career and not just her marriage, and the film treats her ambition with respect and admiration. However, the film also shows the strain that this can put on a marriage, with Peter feeling emasculated and insecure.

Overall, The Bride Walks Out is a charming and entertaining romantic comedy that still holds up well today. It deals with timeless themes of love, marriage, and communication, and does so with humor, heart, and intelligence. Whether you're a fan of classic Hollywood films or just looking for a good romantic comedy, this film is definitely worth checking out.