Movie Monday: Nothing Sacred (1937)

Ever since I watched My Man Godfrey, Carole Lombard has been one of my favorite comedic Old Hollywood actresses. Not only is she funny, but Lombard is also able to play off the dramatic side of things while still keeping her cool. Today I am going to review another Lombard classic called Nothing Sacred that features a bit of her comedic style as well.

What I like most about Nothing Sacred is the dynamic between Carole Lombard and Fredric March. It isn’t quite like the chemistry Lombard had with William Powell on screen, however, that is the reason I think it is so refreshing. In my opinion, it seems that Powell was always treating Lombard’s characters as a young, naive girl while March was able to let her lead the way and do the thinking.

This kind of empowering status is what was missing from some of the other films Carole Lombard starred in, I believe. But in Nothing Sacred, all of the best aspects of Lombard’s specific acting style is mashed together to create this film.

The humor, the misunderstandings, the weird mixups that could only happen in the movies, and the glamour are all hallmark elements to a Carole Lombard film. Nothing Sacred doesn’t hold back on any of it, and gives Lombard fans exactly what they came to see.

What is really interesting about this film is that it seems to draw roots to Carole Lombard’s childhood in Indiana. In Nothing Sacred, Lombard’s character is from a rather small town then moves to the city after a series of incidents bring her there. In order not to spoil the plot of this movie, I won’t elaborate any further. But I think it is interesting that Nothing Sacred starts out in a small, unknown town and then moves on to show a city atmosphere.

Most films in Old Hollywood either ignores the location altogether or made every location seem super glamorous. However, Nothing Sacred is a little more real about life in the respect that glamour was not considered average. In that way, I feel like this film acknowledged the Great Depression a little better than the typical 1930s film.

Of course, I recognize that movies are a way to escape reality, but I also think it is nice when they showcase a little bit of what is going on in the real world at that time. Nothing Sacred also does a good job showing the major difference between the “average” little town and the “big” city of that time. Maybe all of this was still a way to help audiences everywhere think of another way to escape the mundane life of the Great Depression and live a life of glamour.

Either way, Nothing Sacred is a fun and lighthearted movie that will leave you with a smile. Even if Carole Lombard isn’t you cup of tea, this is one film you will want to watch for a chuckle.

Much Love,

Sarah