Bachelor Bait is a 1934 American comedy film about a man (William Watts) who is fired from his job issuing marriage licenses at city hall because of the actions of a co-worker. He starts a match making business which becomes very successful because of Mr. Watts' ability to find suitable matches for everybody except for himself. Bachelor Bait (originally titled The Great American Harem) was director George Stevens' first feature-length film for RKO, filmed from 30 April to 18 May 1934. His first feature was The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble (1933), for Universal.
Plot Mr. William Watts, a kindhearted man who, after losing his job as a civil servant in a marriage license office, opens his own business, Romance Inc., which becomes a successful matrimonial agency. When he sets up his secretary with a wealthy client, he realizes just in time that he is really in love with her.Marilyn Ann Moss, Giant: George Stevens, a Life on Film (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2004), 29;
Cast Stuart Erwin as Mr. William Watts Rochelle Hudson as Cynthia Douglas Pert Kelton as Allie Summers Richard "Skeets" Gallagher as Bramwell Van Dusan Berton Churchill as "Big" Barney Nolan Grady Sutton as Don Beldon/Diker Clarence Wilson as District Attorney Clement Craftsman Landers Stevens as Mr. Wells
Analysis According to Marilyn Ann Moss, Bachelor Bait "is a light comedy that touches briefly on the Depression (when mention is made of "everyone being out of work these days") before it supplies its audience with a leisurely paced series of misadventures."
The film lost $3,000 for RKO Studios.
Production In February 1934, Lou Brock announced The Great American Harem as the next film for Ginger Rogers.
William Seiter was set to direct.
Alice Joyce Moore, daughter of Alice Joyce and Tom Moore, was signed for a role.Modern Screen 1934-07
Anne Shirley as young girl at Marriage License Office
References
External links
Bachelor Bait at IMDb