Dorothy Hunter is The Richest Girl in the World (1934). Everyone knows her name but, in all her "23 or 24" years, no one knows what she looks like or even where she is in the world at any given moment. Even the trustees of her fortune have never seen her. At their latest meeting however, she does make an appearance, dressed attractively in a striped jacket with matching gloves, in order to tell them of her upcoming marriage. Once back at home though, it is revealed that she is actually Miss Hunter's secretary, Sylvia (Fay Wray) and is already married (to Reginald Denny).
That same day Dorothy's fiancé breaks off their engagement suddenly - "If only you were the SECOND richest girl in the world" and Dorothy (Miriam Hopkins) fears she may never find love. At a party the next day, Sylvia - hereafter referred to as Wray to avoid confusion - continues pretending to be Dorothy with Dorothy - hereafter referred to as Hopkins - pretending to be Sylvia.
At the party, Hopkins meets Tony (Joel McCrea) and the two hit it off. He invites her for a canoe ride, saying he wants to avoid Miss Hunter, but while she fetches her sweater he goes out with Wray instead. Hopkins and Denny take out the motorboat and cause the canoe to capsize.
Hopkins then sets out on a campaign to see if McCrea will choose her over "Miss Hunter." She pushes the two of them together, lending him money so he can afford to take Wray out and telling him that he has a chance.
McCrea is also invited to the Adirondacks, but Hopkins plans it so that she and McCrea can be alone the first night. He seems to genuinely be in love with her but then he lets slip that he thinks Wray wouldn't have him. Hopkins tells him he's wrong and urges him to propose and see, confident that he won't actually ask Wray.
Unfortunately for Hopkins he does ask Wray, who accepts. Everyone urges Hopkins to reveal who she is but she would rather give McCrea up than be a "second choice."
After everyone has gone to bed however, McCrea sees Denny go into Wray's room and the following morning tells her what he saw. Hopkins quickly says that it was she who slept in that room. Despite that, McCrea discovers that it is Hopkins he loves and he forcibly carries her off to be married.
My favorite outfit of Wray's
This is one of the first films I saw for both Hopkins and Wray. Both give wonderful performances and the film, though certainly not groundbreaking, is enjoyable. Both actresses also starred in other films with Joel McCrea. Remade in 1944 as Bride By Mistake.
As the rich girl's double, Fay Wray uncovers a talent for light comedy that few had suspected.
Wray's costumes were featured in the November 1934 Photoplay.
This post is part of The Fay Wray and Robert Riskin Blogathon hosted by Classic Movie Hub and Once Upon a Screen. Be sure to check out the other posts and enter to win a copy of Victoria Riskin's new book on her famous parents. (or purchase it here). Read CMH's exclusive interview with Victoria here.
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