FilmFanatic.org

Synopsis:
Two con-artists (Clark Gable and Jean Harlow) fall in love, but are separated when pregnant Ruby (Harlow) takes the rap for Eddie (Gable) and is sent to a reform school.

Genres:

• Con-Artists
• Morality Police
• Star-Crossed Lovers

Review:
After the success of their pairing in Red Dust (1932), Jean Harlow and Clark Gable teamed up once again for this financially successful but ultimately disappointing tale of doomed con-artists in love. The story — scripted by Anita Loos — starts off with plenty of zingy potential (Harlow and Gable have great chemistry together, naturally), but — per the directive of Louis B. Mayer, who wanted Ruby to “pay for her sins” — eventually devolves into sappy melodrama. As noted in David Boxwell’s analysis of the film for Senses of Cinema, it represents “a fascinating mix of racy pre-Code cynicism and post-Code sentimentality and piety”. Hold Your Man is worth a look for its first half, but ultimately not must-see viewing.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• Harlow and Gable’s initial “meet cute” in the bathtub
  

Must See?
No, though Harlow and/or Gable fans will likely be curious to check it out.

Links:

• IMDb entry
• MRQE (Movie Review Query Engine)
• Senses of Cinema Review
• NY Times Original Review
• TCM Article