Tonight's Movie: Love Is News (1937)

LOVE IS NEWS immediately tosses the viewer into the unique world of '30s screwball comedy, filled with rascally reporters, perenially apoplectic newspaper editors, and giddy heiresses.

In this case the reporter is Tyrone Power, the editor is Don Ameche, and the heiress is Loretta Young -- three wonderful reasons to watch the movie. Young's heiress turns the tables on reporter Power, who has been following her and printing stories of dubious truth about her love life; she announces that she and Power are engaged so that the press corps will chase him around town instead.

Despite the terrific leads, LOVE IS NEWS doesn't quite fire on all cylinders. The fun premise is handled in a rather slow-moving manner, and romantic sparks don't start flying between Young and Power until nearly an hour into this short 77-minute movie. Nonetheless, the film is worth watching for the fine cast, particularly the gorgeous, charming Power and Young. Power and Ameche also have good chemistry in their scenes together. And it's always fun escaping into the world of screwball comedy for an hour or two!

The supporting cast includes George Sanders (a small role relatively early in his career), Elisha Cook Jr., Jane Darwell, Walter Catlett, Slim Summerville, and Pauline Moore. Moore, who appeared in several CHARLIE CHAN movies, had the brief but memorable role of Ann Rutledge in John Ford's YOUNG MR. LINCOLN in 1939.

LOVE IS NEWS was directed by Tay Garnett, who had a career which lasted half a century, spanning the silents to the '70s. In addition to directing, Garnett was also a screenwriter. Garnett's films include CHINA SEAS (reviewed here), JOY OF LIVING (reviewed here), and THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE.

More thoughts on the film from Carrie Liz at Classic Ramblings.

LOVE IS NEWS is part of the brand-new 10-film Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection. Extras on this disc include a 15-minute featurette, "Ty and Loretta: Sweethearts of the Silver Screen." Power and Young costarred in five films in the '30s and were good friends as well as costars. The flip side of the disc contains Power's 1948 film THAT WONDERFUL URGE, which is a remake of LOVE IS NEWS costarring Gene Tierney and Reginald Gardiner.