For a film that starts off so promising, "Ever Since Eve" ends up very disappointing. For the first third, it's quite funny, this story of office sexual harassment where the victim can't go to HR. She simply makes herself into a plain Jane to avoid amorous bosses to whom overtime doesn't include office work. Marian Davies (quite lovely, as Louella would always say!) does what Ginger Rogers did two years ago in "In Person", for different reasons, however. This is confusing for her rowdy roommate (Patsy Kelly) and her boyfriend (Allen Jenkins) and for her new boss, an author of movie stories (Robert Montgomery) who has a really obnoxious socialite fiancée (Marcia Ralston). So far, so good. Montgomery at first finds the plain version of Davies too demanding of him (because of his boss, Louise Fazenda), but when she quits because of accusations made by Ralston, he goes to her apartment where he meets the pretty version of Davies. Thus, he falls instantly in love, but she pretends to leave town so he'll finish his deadline. Montgomery follows her to the place she really didn't intend to go, so Davies must rush there, both as her pretty and plain versions. Confused??? This is where the film goes off the rack, having a sudden group of thieves interrupt, including one woman who looks exactly like Davies and is wearing the exact same costume.As I said, the first 2/3 are really entertaining, not in a "My Man Godfrey" classic sort of way, but still enjoyable. Everyone is doing their best to provide laughs in a ridiculous but still fun plot line. But once they get to the inn, it just gets too much. Poor Ralston, who resembles Merle Oberon, but doesn't get to be as ladylike here, suffers all sorts of indignities with her obnoxious character. Frank McHugh too is around as Montgomery's pal who escorts Ralston when her fiancée is not available. Today, this sort of plot line could never be filmed because of its obvious use of sexual harassment and the way that is handled in the workplace. But in the 30's, the "How to Succeed in Business" song "A Secretary is Not a Toy" hadn't been written yet and as any 30's movie viewer knows, a secretary made many a hard-working businessman very happy. This is one of those films to take with a grain of salt and enjoy mostly for its fine character performances and sometimes witty banter.

Ever Since Eve (1937) ** (out of 4) This politically incorrect but mildly entertaining film turned out to be Marion Davies final movie as she would retire at the age of forty. Warner threw her an excellent supporting cast and a nice director but none of it would really matter in the end as the film really fails to live up to what it should have been. Davies plays a beautiful secretary who is getting tired of her bosses hitting on her so she makes herself "homely" in order to get a real job without being harassed. Her latest boss (Robert Montgomery) has a deadline on a novel he must finish so the ugly Davies has to keep him working, although the beautiful one is falling for him. While watching the film I couldn't help but think of TOOTSIE but this one here is certainly far from a classic. The movie remains entertaining from start to finish but for a comedy there are very few laughs to be had here, which is a shame because there's a great cast here. Not only do we have Davies and Montgomery but we have Warner contract players like Frank McHugh, Patsy Kelly and Allen Jenkins. The three supporting players end up getting more laughs than the two leads with Jenkins stealing the film playing the usual dumb character we've all come to love. Davies is a tad bit too old for her role even though she's still very easy on the eyes. You do have to give her credit because there have been all kinds of famous people to do the ugly duckling roles but not really turn themselves very unattractive. Davies at least goes all out and transforms herself to the point where you can't recognize her. Some might be unhappy that Davies spends most of the film as the ugly character but I think she deserves credit for it. Bacon's direction never really comes alive as the movie never contains enough energy or laughs to keep moving. Fans of the cast will certainly want to check this out but others should stay clear.

Very underrated comedy stars Marion Davies (in her final film) as a woman who frumps herself up to land a secretarial job. Because the frump is efficient, the boss (Robert Montgomery) continues to chase women: a conniving shrew (Marcia Ralston) and a blonde beauty (Davies!) who he meets at a nightclub. Role-reversal comedy is fun from the start with Davies at her comic peak as the dour frump. She's not afraid to look really bad. Excellent supporting cast includes Patsy Kelly, Allen Jenkins, Frank McHugh, Louise Fazenda, and Mary Treen. Once again Davies proves she had acting talent (given the right roles) and that was was a total delight. Her best comedy performances stand up against those of Carole Lombard, Myrna Loy, Jean Arthur or Irene Dunne. Catch this one.

Had always heard how rotten this film was. Imagine my surprise when I finally saw it and found it one of the most enjoyable of the Warner's 30's comedies. Marion is a delight, totally natural . . . which is why I guess, they never thought she could act! The film has a great supporting cast. Louise Fazenda has a hilarious role as Abigail Beldon the book publisher, and Merle Oberon look alike, Marcia Ralston makes a vicious "other woman". The whole thing is fun. Take it for what it is . . . just entertainment.Oh yes, plot is Marion makes herself over to be plain and ugly to get a job and falls for Robert Mongomery, her employer.