History Film / Smarty

* FashionModel: Joan Blondell got a break from the fanservice for a while when the movie has a scene at an upscale clothing store, with scantily clad models showing off the latest fashions.

* FanserviceModel: Joan Blondell got a break from the fanservice for a while when the movie has a scene at an upscale clothing store, with scantily clad models showing off the latest fashions.

* ShesGotLegs: The very first shot of the film is a closeup of Vicki's bare legs as she sits in a negligee getting ready for dinner.

Has to be seen to be believed.

* CelebrityParadox: In one of several discussions about how it's OK for men to hit women, Tony mentions that he saw a movie where a man shoved a grapefruit in a woman's face, and it was no big deal. That's a reference to ''Film/ThePublicEnemy1931'', which co-starred Joan Blondell (Creator/MaeClarke took the grapefruit to the face).

* CelebrityParadox: In one of several discussions about how it's OK for men to hit women, Tony mentions that he saw a movie where a man shoved a grapefruit in a woman's face, and it was no big deal. That's a reference to ''Film/ThePublicEnemy'', which co-starred Joan Blondell (Creator/MaeClarke took the grapefruit to the face).

This film was made at the end of UsefulNotes/ThePreCodeEra and is an all-time example of both ValuesDissonance and UnintentionalPeriodPiece, being as it is a film that could not have been made in any other time period than 1930-1934. It is full of nonstop {{Fanservice}}, winking double entendres, and sex talk. Most amazingly, and possibly most off-putting to a 21st century viewer, is the central message: men should hit their wives to keep them in line. It turns out that the real problem in the Thorpe marriage is that Vicki really likes being slapped around and sexually dominated, and is discontent with Tony because he doesn't hit her enough.

--> '''Vicki''': You've always been a great hooker-upper.

* SexyBacklessOutfit: "[[DiscussedTrope I think I'll get a dress without any back at all]]," says Vicki. Vernon categoricall refuses to allow her to buy such a revealing dress--so of course she buys it as soon as he leaves. Tony rips the dress off her at the end.

* SexyBacklessOutfit: "[[DiscussedTrope I think I'll get a dress without any back at all]]," says Vicki. Vernon categorically confuses to allow her to buy such a revealing dress--so of course she buys it as soon as he leaves. Tony rips the dress off her at the end.

Vicki and Tony Thorpe (Blondell and William) are an upper-class married couple with some problems. Tony is pretty plainly not satisfying Vicki in the bedroom, which leads to her mercilessly teasing him. When she needles him too much at a dinner party for friends, Tony slaps her in the face. Vicki, with the encouragement of family friend and divorce attorney Vernon Thorpe (Creator/EdwardEverettHorton) immediately files for divorce, and marries Vernon. However, in reality she still loves Tony, and sets out to win him back.

--> '''George''': What an interesting lot of things one wold see if ceilings were made of glass.

* YourCheatingHeart: Bonnie is married, which doesn't stop her from trying to get sex from Tony.

* {{Fanservice}}: The movie must have been made in order to put Joan Blondell in as little clothing as possible before the Hays Code hammer came down. Vicki in negligees. Vicki in backless dresses. Vicki in nothing but pantyhose, exposing her bottom to the camera. Vicki getting her dress ripped off. So much fanservice.
* FanserviceExtra: Joan Blondell got a break from the fanservice for a while when the movie has a scene at an upscale clothing store, with scantily clad models showing off the latest fashions.

%%* DivorceIsTemporary: A pretty messed-up one as these things go. But the film ends with Vicki and Tony back together.

* ComedyOfRemarriage: A pretty messed-up one as these things go. But the film ends with Vicki and Tony back together.

* DutchAngle: Used for shots of Anita, Tony, and Vernon after Vicki, who has been hiding in Tony's bedroom, chooses to deliberately reveal her presence.

* CelebrityParadox: In one of several discussions about how it's OK for men to hit women, Tony mentions that he saw a movie where a man shoved a grapefruit in a woman's face, and it was no big deal. That's a reference to ''Film/ThePublicEnemy'', which co-starred Joan Blondell (Mae Clarke took the grapefruit to the face).

* CelebrityParadox: In one of several discussions about how it's OK for men to smack women around, Tony mentions that he saw a movie where a man shoved a grapefruit in a woman's face, and it was no big deal. That's a reference to ''Film/ThePublicEnemy'', which co-starred Joan Blondell (Mae Clarke took the grapefruit to the face).

-> "A good sock in the eye is something every woman needs at least once in her life."

''Smarty'' is a 1934 film directed by Robert Florey, starring Joan Blondell and Warren William.

Vicki and Tony Thorpe (Blondell and William) are an upper-class married couple with some problems. Tony is pretty plainly not satisfying Vicki in the bedroom, which leads to her mercilessly teasing him. When she needles him too much at a dinner party for friends, Tony slaps her in the face. Vicki, with the encouragement of family friend and divorce attorney Vernon Thorpe (Edward Everett Horton) immediately files for divorce, and marries Vernon. However, in reality she still loves Tony, and sets out to win him back.

* BDSMEqualsLove: As it turns out, Vicki really wants to be dominated and smacked around. She is positively gleeful when Tony finally takes charge at the end.

* BDSMIsLove: As it turns out, Vicki really wants to be dominated and smacked around. She is positively gleeful when Tony finally takes charge at the end.

Vicki and Wallace Thorpe (Blondell and William) are an upper-class married couple with some problems. Wallace is pretty plainly not satisfying Vicki in the bedroom, which leads to her mercilessly teasing him. When she needles him too much at a dinner party for friends, Wallace slaps her in the face. Vicki, with the encouragement of family friend and divorce attorney Vernon Thorpe (Edward Everett Horton) immediately files for divorce, and marries Vernon. However, in reality she still loves Wallace, and sets out to win him back.

This film was made at the end of UsefulNotes/ThePreCodeEra and is an all-time example of both ValuesDissonance and UnintentionalPeriodPiece, being as it is a film that could not have been made in any other time period than 1930-1934. It is full of nonstop {{Fanservice}}, winking double entendres, and sex talk. Most amazingly, and possibly most off-putting to a 21st century viewer, is the central message: men should hit their wives to keep them in line. It turns out that the real problem in the Thorpe marriage is that Vicki really likes being slapped around and sexually dominated, and is discontent with Wallace because he doesn't hit her enough.

* BDSMIsLove: As it turns out, Vicki really wants to be dominated and smacked around. She is positively gleeful when Wallace finally takes charge at the end.