Man of the World is a 1931 American pre-Coderomantic drama directed by Richard Wallace and starring William Powell, Carole Lombard, and Wynne Gibson. The story is about a young American girl who visits Paris accompanied by her fiancé and her wealthy uncle. There she meets and is romanced by a worldly novelist; what she does not know is that he is a blackmailer who is using her to get to her uncle.
Plot
In 1930's Paris, American Michael Trevor poses as a novelist but is actually a former newspaper man who took the blame for some scam in the United States and had to leave the country. Embittered, he now prints a weekly scandal sheet and blackmails expatriates to keep their names out of his rag. While extorting $2000 from the wealthy Harry Taylor , Michael meets Harry's niece, Mary Kendall, and the two feel an instant mutual attraction. Mary has a boyfriend, Frank Reynolds, but she is not passionate about him. Michael's partners in crime are Irene Hoffa and Fred. Irene is a former flame who is 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 end it in a letter to Frank, but is unable to finish it. Michael tells her his life story. Mary says that it is 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 is done with his life of crime. Irene says that 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 Mary's sake, he cannot marry her. Michael tells Harry that he was behind the earlier scam and demands a further $10,000 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 24 hours to leave France. Mary and Frank sail back to Pittsburgh, a conspicuous engagement ring on her hand. Michael heads to Cape Town, and agrees to let Irene come along. Aboard ship, he tears up the $10,000 check.
Cast
William Powell as Michael Trevor
Carole Lombard as Mary Kendall
Wynne Gibson as Irene Hoffa
Lawrence Gray as Frank Reynolds
Guy Kibbee as Harry Taylor
George Chandler as Fred
André Cheron as Victor
Harvey Clark as Joe, an American Tourist
Tom Costello as Spade Henderson
Tom Ricketts as Mr. Bradkin
Rolfe Sedan as Hotel Desk Clerk
Maude Truax as Mrs. Jowitt
Reception
The New York Times critic Mordaunt Hall described the film as "a rather interesting but scarcely credible story... But withal, aside from a few somewhat tedious stretches, it is a tale that inveigles one's attention."
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, Hands Across the Table, Love Before Breakfast, The Princess Comes Across and True Confession.
