Get Your Man

Plot

Nancy Worthington (Clara Bow), a spirited American girl vacationing in Paris, falls desperately in love with the handsome Count André de Pray (Charles 'Buddy' Rogers) during a chance encounter. Their romance blossoms quickly, but Nancy is heartbroken to discover that André is bound by duty to enter an arranged marriage with a wealthy heiress to save his family's estate. Determined not to lose her true love, Nancy concocts a series of elaborate schemes to disrupt the arranged marriage and win André for herself. Through a series of comedic misadventures, clever disguises, and heartfelt moments, Nancy must overcome class differences, family obligations, and cultural barriers to prove that love conquers all.

Historical Background

Released in 1927, 'Get Your Man' emerged during the golden age of silent cinema, just months before 'The Jazz Singer' would revolutionize the industry with synchronized sound. The film reflected the Roaring Twenties' fascination with European sophistication and American exuberance, capturing the era's spirit of rebellion against traditional social constraints. This period saw significant changes in women's roles in society, with the flapper culture challenging Victorian morality and embracing greater independence. The film's themes of class mobility and romantic freedom resonated with audiences experiencing unprecedented social mobility and cultural change. Hollywood was transitioning into the studio system era, with major studios like Paramount establishing their house styles and star systems. The film also represents a time when female directors, though rare, could still find opportunities to helm major productions.

Making Of

Dorothy Arzner faced significant challenges as a female director in the male-dominated studio system of the 1920s. She fought for creative control over the film's tone and pacing, particularly in balancing the comedic elements with the romantic storyline. Clara Bow, known for her improvisational style, often suggested changes to scenes that Arzner incorporated, creating a collaborative atmosphere on set. The production team built elaborate Parisian street scenes on the Paramount backlot, complete with working fountains and cobblestone streets. The film's romantic scenes between Bow and Rogers were carefully choreographed to appeal to contemporary audiences while pushing boundaries of on-screen intimacy. Arzner employed innovative camera techniques, including tracking shots that followed the characters through the Parisian sets, creating a sense of movement and energy that matched Bow's dynamic performance style.

Visual Style

The cinematography, handled by James Wong Howe, employed sophisticated techniques for the era, including soft focus lighting for romantic scenes and dynamic camera movements during chase sequences. Howe utilized natural lighting techniques where possible, particularly in the outdoor scenes, to create a more authentic Parisian atmosphere. The film featured elaborate tracking shots that followed characters through the detailed studio sets, creating a sense of immersion and movement that enhanced the romantic narrative. Close-ups were strategically used to capture Clara Bow's expressive performance, particularly during emotional moments. The cinematography also made effective use of shadow and light to create mood and emphasize the contrast between American spontaneity and European formality. The visual style incorporated Art Deco influences in the set design and framing, reflecting the contemporary aesthetic sensibilities of the late 1920s.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical innovation, 'Get Your Man' demonstrated several sophisticated techniques for its time. The film employed elaborate matte painting techniques to extend the Parisian sets beyond the physical studio space, creating convincing illusions of the French capital. The production utilized innovative lighting setups to simulate different times of day and weather conditions, enhancing the romantic atmosphere. The film's editing, supervised by Dorothy Arzner, featured smooth transitions between scenes and effective pacing that maintained audience engagement throughout the narrative. The costume department developed quick-change mechanisms for Clara Bow's multiple outfit changes, allowing for more efficient filming of transformation scenes. The production also experimented with early forms of product placement, featuring contemporary fashion and accessories that would appeal to the target audience of young women.

Music

As a silent film, 'Get Your Man' featured no recorded dialogue or synchronized sound effects. The musical accompaniment would have been provided live in theaters, typically by a piano player or small orchestra. The original cue sheets suggested romantic European-inspired compositions for the love scenes, upbeat jazz numbers for the comedic moments, and classical pieces for the formal scenes. Paramount provided theaters with detailed musical recommendations to ensure consistent emotional impact across different venues. The score likely included popular songs of the era as well as classical pieces by composers like Chopin and Debussy to evoke the Parisian setting. Some larger theaters might have commissioned original scores or adaptations of contemporary popular music. The film's transition to sound was never completed, as it was released just before the industry-wide shift to talkies.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening scene where Clara Bow's character first encounters the Count at a Parisian café, featuring witty banter and immediate chemistry between the leads.
• The elaborate masquerade ball sequence where Bow disguises herself to infiltrate the Count's social circle, showcasing both comedy and romance.
• The rooftop chase scene through simulated Paris streets, demonstrating both physical comedy and the film's impressive set design.
• The final confrontation scene where Bow's character confronts the arranged marriage situation, delivering an impassioned speech about love and personal choice.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Clara Bow's vivacious performance and the film's lighthearted entertainment value, with Variety noting her 'irresistible charm' and 'natural comedic timing.' The New York Times appreciated the film's sophisticated European setting and the chemistry between the leads, though some reviewers felt the plot relied too heavily on familiar romantic comedy conventions. Modern film historians recognize the movie as an important example of Dorothy Arzner's early work and her ability to craft engaging narratives within studio constraints. Retrospective analyses often highlight the film's subversion of gender roles through Bow's proactive character, though some critics note that the film ultimately reinforces traditional romantic resolutions. The film is generally regarded as a solid example of late silent-era romantic comedy, valuable more for its historical context than for groundbreaking artistic innovation.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1927 responded enthusiastically to 'Get Your Man,' particularly drawn by Clara Bow's immense popularity as the 'It Girl.' The film performed well at the box office, especially in urban areas where Bow's flapper image resonated with young moviegoers. Contemporary audience letters and reviews in fan magazines praised the film's romantic elements and Bow's energetic performance, with many viewers relating to her character's determination to pursue love against social obstacles. The film's Parisian setting appealed to American audiences' fascination with European sophistication and romance. Moviegoers appreciated the film's blend of humor and heartfelt romance, finding it an enjoyable escape from daily life. The chemistry between Bow and Rogers was frequently mentioned as a highlight, with many fans requesting to see them paired in future films. The audience reception helped cement both stars' positions in Paramount's roster of popular performers.

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