The Bride Came C.O.D.

The Bride Came C.O.D. is a 1941 American romantic comedy film directed by William Keighley and starring Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. The movie follows a complex plot with plenty of twists and turns, showcasing the comedic talents of its lead actors. The story begins with Steve Burkett (played by Bob Hope), a financially-strapped charter pilot struggling to find work in a post-depression world. Desperate for money, Steve puts up a "for hire" sign outside his small aircraft hangar, hoping to attract clients. It's there that the enigmatic oil tycoon, Reginald Farrow (played by James Gleason), comes across Steve's sign and takes an interest in his services. Reginald, it turns out, is a wealthy and charismatic oil magnate with a strong aversion to weddings. His beautiful and free-spirited daughter, Jean (played by Paulette Goddard), is getting engaged to be married, much to the dismay of her father. Jean's fiancé, Jimmy Connors (played by Jack Carson), is a charming band leader who has swept Jean off her feet, but Reginald sees him as a weak and spineless suitor. Reginald, desperate to stop the wedding, concocts a plan to hire Steve and his plane to kidnap Jean and whisk her away to a secluded location, where she will be unable to receive any messages from Jimmy. In a nod to Reginald's mercantile background, Steve will be paid in cash for each successful mission he completes – "COD" stands for "cash on delivery," after all. Steve, however, has ulterior motives for agreeing to the job. He's immediately smitten with Jean, who is a feisty and independent-minded young woman. Steve sees this as the perfect opportunity to get close to the woman he loves and prevent her from marrying Jimmy. As the mission begins, Steve takes off with Reginald's crew in a thrilling air chase through various locations in the American Southwest. They leave a trail of chaos in their wake, pursued by a bumbling group of detectives (played by James Stephenson and Edward McNamara), who are hot on their heels. Meanwhile, Jean becomes increasingly suspicious of her father's motives and begins to piece together the truth about Steve and the kidnapping. She eventually discovers the plan and decides to take matters into her own hands, joining forces with Steve to outwit her father and escape. The rest of the movie follows an escalating series of slapstick misadventures, as Steve and Jean work together to evade the detectives, outrun Reginald's henchmen, and evade capture. Along the way, the two develop a charming and witty chemistry, trading wisecracks and banter as they careen from one hilarious situation to the next. Ultimately, the movie concludes with a joyous and romantic finale, as Steve and Jean confess their love for each other, and Reginald comes to terms with the fact that his daughter has grown up and will be making her own choices about her life. The film ends on a lighthearted note, emphasizing the importance of following one's heart and embracing the unpredictability of life. The Bride Came C.O.D. is a delightful and entertaining comedy that showcases the talents of its lead actors. With its fast-paced action, wacky characters, and lighthearted humor, the movie is a true treat for fans of old-school romantic comedies.