Stand-In

I have never understood Leslie Howard's appeal as a romantic lead. But here, as a priggish accountant, he's positively compelling. Solid comedy, though occasionally a bit too cute for its own good.

Despite not seeing why Lester (Blondell) fell for Atterbury Dodd (Howard), and being befuddled by the utterly ridiculous resolution and premature ending, this was still a decently fun meta-Hollywood romp.

"Of course! Now I apply the leverage!" This was filled with genuine big laughs! A wonderful spoof on Hollywood, as well as a clumsy romance comedy with the poor-sighted math-magician Leslie Howard is sent to a movie studio in trying to save it from bankruptcy. When there he meets the cute barely working actress Joan Blondell who becomes his secretary and closest link to reality in a world full of fakers. Stand-In feels like a high priority B-picture, but it's comic timing make it hilarious!

Better than I expected and straightforward story with a setting of a Hollywood parody. Joan Blondell was very attractive and certainly came on too strongly. Humphrey Bogart MVP as a jerk. Fav scene: 3 strikes.

Cute romantic comedy with Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell as the mismatched couple destined for each other. Also pretty good as a send up of Hollywood, egotistical movie stars, dictatorial directors, movie executives and crazed stage mothers.