Product Details

• Actors: Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Walter Pidgeon, Walter Connolly, Leo Carrillo
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC
• Language: English, Spanish
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301978218
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,722 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clark Gable and Myrna Loy shine in fast paced fun tale, January 9, 2003

By 

Simon Davis (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Hot to Handle [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"Too fast to flop!!!" is how the advertising for this film ran prior to the 1938 release of this classic teaming of the then newly elected "King", and "Queen", of Hollywood, Clark Gable and Myrna Loy. Proudly "crowned" as Hollywood's reigning monarchs on Ed Sullivan's radio program the two were at the peak of their popularity when this film was released in guaranteeing huge profits at the Box office.

"Too Hot To Handle" directed by MGM's brilliant Jack Conway who was responsible for guiding so many classics around this time, certainly provided Clark Gable with one of his most enjoyable roles during his peak years as an MGM star. Often accused of being simply Clark Gable playing Clark Gable, here he has a rich role laced with the usual masculine qualities but also combining a creative comic tone which suits him perfectly. Gable plays Chris Hunter a "creative" newsreel photographer who will do just about anything to get a great scope for the leading article of his boss's (Walter Connolly as "Gabby' MacArthur is a highly energetic and hilarious perfromance)newspaper. The scenes of him reporting on a fake invasion of China are hilarious complete with paid Chinese children, fake miniature planes representing bombers and supposed devastation caused in the war. He is a rival of old friend and nemesis Bill Dennis played by Walter Pidgeon in a dramatic variation to his usual gentlemenly portrayals. Gable and Pidgeon make a surprisingly compatiable screen team and when dare devil aviatrix Alma harding (Myrna Loy) comes into the picture the two men find themselves not only squaring off against each other for the best photos but also for the same girl. Myrna Loy had worked with Gable to fine effect in "Manhatten Melodrama", "Wife Vs. Secretary", and "Test Pilot" and here she has an easy rapport with her leading man through the fast paced, screwball comedy. In her wonderful autobiography Loy said that she didn't think her role in "Too Hot To Handle" was much at all but considering the leading men she is up against I believe she does very well as the adventure seeking flyer with a mind of her own. The story while highly incredible, rolls along at lighting pace and takes them through a faked flight dropping off serum, to photographing a burning navy vessel, to making a trip up the Amazon in search of Loy's brother missing but believed to be alive as a prisoner of a native tribe. All these goings on are delivered with an energy and polish often unseen in modern films. The schemes that Gable and Pidgeon's characters get up to to outwit and outpace the each other are brilliant and are excellent comedy.

"Too Hot To Handle" also benefits from the terrific supporting cast that is along for the ride as well. As mentioned Walter Connoly as Gable's befuddled boss has never been better and his attempts to divorce his wife and stay in control of Gable's schemes from behind his office desk are priceless. Henry Kolker also shines as Walter Pidgeon's boss at Atlas Newsreel. Leo Carrillo as Joselito, Gable's assistant is also wonderful in particular in his reactions to getting caught up in his boss's schemes to win over Alma by fair means or foul. The usually comic Marjorie Main one of my favourite character actresses, is fairly subdued in her role as Kitty Wayne, Connolly's patient secretary but also manages some of her usual comic brilliance with some of her deadpan observations of what it is like to work in the boss's office with all this madness going on all the time.

Special mention must also be made on the very fine on-location photography which was used in this film for the South American secquences. Beautiful aerial photography of the Amazon Basin and all its tributaries are stunningly captured on film and really add to the terrific flavour of this section of the film. Much of the location work was done in Dutch Guiana and is really exceptional. For the scenes involving the native tribes the production team had the rare honour of being allowed to photograph the Matawais tribe performing the beautiful and rarely seen Dinka Fire Dance which adds tremendously to the look of the film. Despite some objections to these scenes there is nothing offensive in the way the natives are portrayed and indeed some of the scenes in this part are among the best in "Too Hot To Handle". I believe alot of people are far too sensitive nowadays and can't see the work for what it is which is entertainment. Gable's performing as a white spirit in front of the natives also often critised, in reality makes him look more foolish than the natives anyway and is a wonderfully comic scene when he runs some newsreel footage of planes and trains for the natives to convince them he is a God and has come to take away Loy's prisoner brother.

"Too Hot To Handle" is frothy, fast paced entertainment of the first order. If you enjoy rapid fire dialogue, a snappy very 1930's story, a gorgeous leading lady in a gutsy role, and funny rivalry between the leading men in work and romance then this film is for you. Rarely have I seen Clark Gable in finer form
and his comic playing really is the heart and soul of this film. Enjoy it as an example of grand old film making of the highest order when the Hollywood studios were at their peak.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slam Bang Comedy.!!, July 31, 2000

By 

charles pope ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Hot to Handle [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Screwball Comedy of rival newsreel men fighting for a story any whay they can get it.

Chris Hunter is played by Clark Gable and in a pinch he makes up the news if there isnt any. Walter Pidgeon is his main competition. Mryna Loy shows again why she was just a sublime comedic actress. The real fun is in watching those great supporting actors. Walter Connoly( It Happened One Night) is Gable,s boss. Henry Kolker is Pidgeons boss. Both of them are frenetic. Marjorie Main, as Connoly,s secretary is hilarious . Leo Carillo, Gable,s camera man could have inspired Norm Crosby.s routines.

Its all absurd and its all fun. This is a rare turn for Gable during his MGM years. After 62 years this comedy has legs.Directed by Jack Conway.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good darn picture, July 3, 2005

By 

FONTAINE (FRANCE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Too Hot to Handle [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Too Hot To Handle got the wonderfull thing to be a mix of comedy,romance,and adventure.The director Jack Conway who had great sucess such has "libeled lady"and later "love crazy"made a good darn picture.
Clark Gable,Mirna Loy and Walter Conely are at the top.
A satiric film sometimes againts the newspaper.
The best scene I think is the fake shoting of the chinese army with a toy of a plane and starring a girl paid ,and her dumb familly who make gable shot a pain.
Great story,wonderfull cast,and exelent directo rmake the film:
a must see film.