Man of the World (film)

Plot

In 1930's Paris, American Michael Trevor (William Powell) poses as a novelist but is actually a former newspaper man who took the fall for some scam in the States and had to flee the country. Embittered, he now prints a weekly scandal sheet and blackmails expats to keep their names out of his rag.

While extorting two-thousand dollars from the wealthy Harry Taylor (Guy Kibbee) (a scam done so smoothly that Harry thinks Michael a great friend who has done him a big favor), Michael meets Harry's niece, Mary Kendall (Carole Lombard), and the two have an instant attraction. Mary has a boyfriend, Frank Reynolds (Lawrence Gray), but she's not passionate about him.

Michael's partners in crime are Irene Hoffa (Wynne Gibson) and Fred (George Chandler). Irene's a former flame who's still not over Michael. She needs money to keep her brother out of prison and proposes that they extort more money from Harry by embroiling Mary in a scandal. Michael resists - he has a rule never to target women - but then reluctantly agrees.

While Frank is away on business, Michael spends time with Mary and they fall in love. She tries to write a breakup letter to Frank but is unable to finish it.

Worried that Mary won't love him if she knew who he really is, Michael tells her his whole life story. Mary says that's all in the past; they love each other and nothing else matters.

Michael tells Irene that he and Mary are going to be married and that he's done with his life of crime. Irene says that, even if he's honest for the rest of his life, someday his past will come out and Mary will then be the wife of a criminal. These words weigh on Michael and he realizes that, for her own sake, he cannot marry Mary.

Michael tells Harry that he was behind the earlier scam for two-thousand dollars and demands a further ten-thousand dollars or he will print a piece about his planned wedding to Mary. Harry is angry and Mary is hurt and confused, but Michael is determined to go ahead with his scheme. Harry pays him off with a check and Mary collapses in tears.

After seeing how much Michael cares for Mary, Irene decides to instead get the money needed for her brother by selling her jewelry. She also tells the police that Michael is behind the scandal sheet and they give him twenty-four hours to get out of France.

Mary and Frank sail back to Pittsburgh, a conspicuous engagement ring on her hand. Michael and Irene head to South Africa and Michael scatters the ten-thousand dollar check into the ocean.

Cast

(in credits order)

DVD release

This film is currently available as part of the Carole Lombard glamour collection which in addition to this film includes the films We're Not Dressing (1934), Hands Across the Table (1935), Love Before Breakfast (1936), The Princess Comes Across (1936) and True Confession (1937), these are on 2 discs with three films on each disc.