Platinum Blonde (1931)

This theme of romantically linking an upper-class society girl and a man beneath her station would become a popular device in screwball comedies, appealing to Depression audiences both as escapist entertainment and as satire of the idle rich and celebration of the hardworking poor.

Ironically, the rich come off a bit better in Platinum Blonde than in some later screwball comedies. Though the viewer is meant to identify with Stew’s working-class values, Ann can be surprisingly sympathetic and decent, e.g., loyally siding with her husband against her parents. Unfortunately, the class divide is finally too great, with unspoken expectations proving an impediment to the marriage, while Stew’s supportive gal-pal reporter friend Gallagher (Loretta Young) waits patiently in the wings.