Synopsis
Lois Ames (Francis) is the hard-working editor of 400 Magazine. Fred Ames (Thomson), her husband, hates work and loves polo and parties. Despite their differences, Lois and Fred pledge their love. Tom Sherman (Manners) comes to Lois' office to sell her a rowing machine; he stays as her new secretary. Tom rises quickly in the magazine staff and works closely with Lois. Soon, Tom is in love with Lois but cannot tell her. He is engaged to Ruth Holman (Merkle) and plans to resign from the magazine and marry her. Lois wants to stay married, but her husband has fallen in love with a woman who shares his lifestyle, so he and Fred separate amicably. Ruth asserts that Tom is fickle and breaks their engagement. Tom learns that Lois is getting a divorce, and Lois admits that she loves him. They plan marriage.
Discussion
Except for the reversal of the usual gender roles, Man Wanted retains
the standard working girl
romantic comedy plotline involving a love
triangle between a secretary, her boss and her boyfriend. In
Man Wanted and the similar The Office Wife, the romantic
plot resolves with the secretary marrying the boss.
In Man Wanted, Kay Francis is sophisticated, glamorous, and intelligent. David Manners, while handsome and earnest, is bland. The cinematography by Gregg Toland (Citizen Kane), with flattering close ups and superior lighting effects, adds visual appeal. In one striking scene, Manners and Andy Devine are sitting in their apartment in the evening. Their faces and torsos are lit from a window while the remainder of the room is in shadow. The set decoration emphasizes the geometric shapes of the Art Deco style and provides bold and attractive surroundings.