Beautiful, moving film.

An absolute waste of money

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Directed by William Wellman and featuring Janet Gaynor in the title role, a year before the two would collaborate on the first screen version of A Star is Born (1937), this slightly above average comedy romance drama also stars Robert Taylor. Ben Ames Williams's novel was scripted by John Lee Mahin and Edith Fitzgerald.The cast also includes Andy Devine as Gaynor's insufferable brother- in-law, Lewis Stone as Taylor's understanding father and retired surgeon (Nella Walker plays his wife), Elizabeth Patterson and Frank Craven as Gaynor's humble parents, James Stewart as the "small town boy" named Elmer (his fifth credited role) who hopes one day to marry Gaynor's character, Isabell Jewell as Gaynor's sister, and Charley Grapewin as Taylor's employer, Dr. Ned Fabre.In short order, the film gives a terrific sense of the tedium of small town life, or any life filled with the same predictable repartee. The story has Gaynor's character - bored Carvel resident Kay Brannan - whisked away by "a knight in shining armor", Taylor's overly charming and insistent Dr. Bob Dakin in a white convertible among black sedans passing through town in the traffic after the Harvard-Yale football game, for an evening's celebration at the town's (Tait's) Tavern. Their wild night results in both getting drunk, she for the first time, and later finding themselves in front of a justice of the peace, whereupon Kay's recollection of her humdrum existence allows her to somewhat consciously decide to marry the pleading bachelor, unaware that he was already engaged to a debutante more in his class, Priscilla Hyde (played by Binnie Barnes). When Bob "comes to", he learns of their "predicament" and insists his lawyer back in Boston can "fix" everything. She then learns (the full extent) of his wealth and stature, and of his engagement to "Pris", when they then drive to his home, his father's large estate.Bob thinks Kay deliberately hooked him, and perhaps she did (to get out of Carvel), but both agree to make the best of it for 6 months, until they can quietly divorce, to avoid a scandal. Pris agrees too, though somewhat reluctantly. Initially she goes abroad for a month or two but, when she returns, she expects to start seeing Bob discretely, but regularly. Meanwhile, to keep up appearances, Bob and Kay had gone on a honeymoon cruise aboard the family yacht, captained by Edgar Kennedy's character and stewarded by Chinese mate So-So (played by Willie Fung).During their trip, the married couple learned to stop fighting one another in private. But before it could develop into more, something that Kay clearly wished for, Bob cuts their voyage short to return to his medical practice in Boston. Bob's family and boss - Dr. Fabre - notice a change in him; he's matured (Bob seems to have finally noticed Kay as well) ... that is until Priscilla returns from her trip, and they resume their relationship. Under her influence, he returns to his irresponsible behavior and, later, Kay returns home to Carvel. There's a sentimental, perhaps even tear-jerking moment, at the film's predictable ending.

I didn't like this film as much as the other reviewers. I love a good love story, but this one left me cold. I found the entire plot totally predictable, from beginning to end. There is not a single surprise throughout the entire movie. It almost became laughable predicting what was going to happen next.The cast, however, was quite good in their performances in spite of the script. So I give them kudos for making the most of it. Gaynor is very likable, so much so that you find yourself rooting for her. Taylor of course is smashingly good-looking, but also has an approachable charm to him that endeared him to so many movie fans. I think they did a horrible job on his makeup though. His eyebrows looked painted on and the eyeshadow was too noticeable at times. Binnie Barnes was easy to hate in her portrayal as the ruthless fiancé, so she did her role justice.I think the ending was worst of all. I hated that they brought Gaynor's boyfriend, Jimm Stewart, back in the picture and had him gushing over her again. She gives the impression she might be interested, only to have Taylor show up in his fast sports car and whisk her off. I think it makes women look flighty and trifling with men's hearts. I think it did Gaynor's likable character an injustice.

Small Town Girl (1936) *** (out of 4) Charming Cinderella type story about a poor farm girl (Janet Gaynor) who goes out with a rich playboy (Robert Taylor) and after getting drunk the two are married. When they sober up they realize the mistake they've made but agree to stay married for six months so that the scandal won't ruin his career. Director Wellman handles the rather sappy story very well and the two stars really shine, which is the main reason this film works. Gaynor is very charming here and quite believable as the poor girl who gets caught up in something she didn't expect. Taylor is equally impressive and is able to be charming yet a jerk at the same time. The strong supporting cast includes Lewis Stone, Binnie Barnes, Andy Devine and James Stewart. The film runs a tad bit too long and is quite predictable but there's no denying the charm between the cast.

Janet Gaynor is best remembered for being the star of three silent classics, SEVENTH HEAVEN, SUNRISE, and STREET ANGEL, for which the then 22-year-old actress won the first Best Actress Academy Award and became the last superstar of the silent era. She was wildly popular in the 1930's as well, right up to her self-imposed retirement in 1938. In the early 1930's she was in fact the most popular young actress on the screen. Alas, because most of her films were made by Fox and have had little circulation since initial release (with the very notable exception of the classic A STAR IS BORN), she tends to be overlooked among the thirties stars today. SMALL TOWN GIRL, however, is better known than most of her films mainly because the MGM film airs quite often on TCM.SMALL TOWN GIRL is an excellent light romantic drama with an utterly endearing and empathic performance by Janet. She stars as a twenty-something girl who has become bored out of her mind by the daily routine of her life - working at her brother-in-law's "mom and pop" grocery, customers buying the same things every week, eating the same meals every specific day of the week, having to listen to mindless small talk of customers as well as the repetitive comments of friends and relatives. Perhaps worst of all is her utterly unromantic and unambitious semi-boyfriend James Stewart. Janet appears to be the only person in town who knows there's a better way of life out there but she's powerless to find it. When the kids of a nearby college and young football fans cause a slight traffic jam passing through town going to a game, Janet looks on with wistfulness at their carefree, fun, and promising lives. After almost being run down by handsome (make that gorgeous) Robert Taylor, he stops and they talk a bit. He asks is she knows a short cut to the tavern he's headed to and with his warm personality and obvious breeding has little difficulty persuading her to join him. They have a wonderful evening and Taylor gets quite plastered (apparently a frequent occurrence for him) and Janet herself imbibes in champagne for the first time but remains sober. Driving her home, Taylor impulsively decides to propose to her and drives to the justice of the peace where some of his friends were just married. Janet protests mildly but finds herself unable to turn away from this prince charming that dropped in her lap from out of nowhere and finally agrees to marry him.Driving away after becoming man and wife, the ever intoxicated Taylor runs off the road in a slight crash in a ditch and falls asleep. The next morning, he sobers up and doesn't remember anything but learns he is now a married man. When he learns Janet wasn't drunk at the time they married he suspects her of being a fortune hunter, meanwhile she learns he was already engaged to socialite Binnie Barnes and he's the son of a wealthy man and is a promising young doctor. Taylor decides to avoid scandal they will live as man and wife in-name-only for six months and then divorce. He is quite cool now to Gaynor whom he sees as an opportunist and his hostile demeanor has Janet now disliking him as well. But as time passes Janet recaptures the attraction and affection she initially felt for him whereas he is still waiting for the day the marriage will end and he can openly see Binnie Barnes.Janet Gaynor gives a wonderful performance in this movie, the viewer is completely with her at all stages. Her sincerity shines through every scene and shows you why 30's audiences loved her so much. She is very fine in the early scenes fully capturing small town discontentment as well as her impetuous first night with Taylor and she never makes a false move throughout the film. Robert Taylor is so dashing it's hard to imagine any woman who could resist his charms. He is excellent and like Janet, you can't help but being drawn to him even when he is unsympathetic because you know he is better than his actions. The supporting cast generally has insignificant roles but James Stewart (in one of his first films) is so credible as the bland boy next door it's a wonder he didn't end up typecast for good as the Ralph Bellamy of rural films, the perennial second placer. Elizabeth Patterson as Janet's mother and Lewis Stone as Robert's father do what they can with their small roles and it was fun to see a toddler on screen (Janet's sister Isabell Jewell's daughter) being a picky-eating little brat unlike most films of the era with perfectly mannered children. SMALL TOWN GIRL is a small gem in MGM's crown and most definitely worth seeing.