Too Hot to Handle
Too Hot to Handle
| 16 September 1938 (USA)
Too Hot to Handle Trailers

While in Shanghai reporting on the Sino-Japanese war, Chris Hunter, a shrewd news reporter, meets pilot Alma Harding. She does not trust him, but he manages to hire her as his assistant. During an adventurous expedition through the jungles of South America, her opinion of him begins to change.

Reviews
Diagonaldi Very well executed
HeadlinesExotic Boring
Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Benas Mcloughlin Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.
ksf-2 The kings and queens of comedy are here in this 1930s comedy-exotic-travel-adventure. Walter Connelly is the newspaper boss who has sent on-scene action reporter Hunter (Clark Gable) overseas to China to get the latest, hot, south seas action caught on film. Hunter's nemesis is Bill Dennis (Walter Pidgeon), and every scene is a competition to see who can top who, or who can put one over on the other. If Clark Gable is present, then Myrna Loy must be in here too, and she is... as Alma Harding. A fun, fast paced good-natured contest between the two reporters. Alma's brother is missing, and she talks Hunter (Gable) into helping to find him. Did you spot Marjorie Main as the secretary in the newsroom? She was only 48 in this one... she would go on to be nominated for Ma Kettle ten years later! Gable had recently gotten HIS Oscar for It Happened One Night. Myrna Loy received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. Even Walter Pidgeon was nominated for TWO Oscars in the 1940s. What a cast of pros! Obviously, they never left the back lot of Hollywood, but for the general public who had never traveled very far, this would have been very exciting and exotic. Of course, Hunter gets caught up in his own web of deception, but he must figure out how to win back the lady, as well as his job. This is a fun, exciting story, and worth every minute. Shown on TCM now & then. Directed by Jack Conway, MGM bigshot who made TONS of stuff with Gable and Loy. Catch this one when you can! You won't be sorry.
edwagreen You would think that the bombing of China in 1937 would be serious subject matter. Instead, this film turns into a nonsensical farce where two guys from two competing news services join forces to rescue the brother of Myrna Loy, a female pilot. What happened to China? The brother has been missing in the Amazon region.The usually reliable Marjorie Main could have been such a riot as the stenographer to one of the companies. Instead, she is funny at the beginning of the film with her high toned sarcastic voice and then disappears for the most part.Clark Gable befriends Myrna Loy, the pilot, who is romantically linked to Walter Pidgeon. Pidgeon gives up without a fight as it becomes evident that Gable shall take her away.The part of rescuing the brother becomes almost silly as Gable and his pal don tribal clothes to get the brother out.This is absolutely inane fanfare.
misctidsandbits The reviews on this board caused me to give this old one a look this time around, having skipped it before. I didn't like the venue - all that native stuff, etc. But were they ever right about this being a great movie, actually one of the best for the interaction of these stars. Clark Gable just had the quality that always provided interest. He seemed to go into overdrive when playing a hustler type. Same for Myrna Loy about being interesting particularly in comedy. I like Walter Pidgeon differently, appreciating him in his active roles like this one and also for his gentlemanly portrayals. Very durable and reliable stars working well together in this. And funny and wild and fast. They really cranked them out back then; and sometimes they really cranked it up!!! Do see.
spirit11 WARNING: These comments may reveal portions of the film plot.This is what I enjoy about classic films -- good writing, good directing, and a tongue-in-cheek attitude. It's a good laugh watching Clark Gable and Walter Pidgeon both try to woo Myrna Loy. Don't take the film too seriously, and you'll enjoy it too!Acting: Gable, Pidgeon, and Loy all are great, although Loy doesn't quite carry off the "missing brother" pathos as well as she does the brave pilot parts.Writing: Also good, with lots of silliness to go around, while creating a solid romantic comedy.Direction: Jack Conway let the actors do their best, and they did it well.Effects/Cinematography: Why did they always speed up the fight sequences in those old films? Anytime there is action, the film picks up speed. The good news is, that the actual flying sequences look pretty realistic, considering that at one point Gable climbs onto the wing of a plane to get a good shot of a ship at sea that is on fire!Other: Makeup, music, soundtrack, etc. all are solid, but these were not a big focus for films in the 30's, so there is nothing that stands out.OVERALL: Check it out. I'm finding myself more and more of a Gable fan all the time, and this is the kind of movie that helps that image.