Watch Beauty for the Asking

Beauty for the Asking is a 1939 drama film directed by Glenn Tryon and starring Lucille Ball, Patric Knowles, and Donald Woods. The film tells the story of a young woman named Prudence Budell who dreams of becoming a successful cosmetics entrepreneur but faces multiple challenges as she struggles to achieve her goals. The film begins with Prudence Budell (Lucille Ball), a talented chemist who has developed her own line of cosmetics, trying to convince the wealthy businessman, Richard Grant (Patric Knowles), to invest in her business. While Grant is initially skeptical of her business idea, he becomes intrigued by Prudence's passion and hires her to manage the cosmetics division of his company.

As Prudence works to build her business, she faces several challenges. Her former boss, Elsa Brinkmann (Frieda Inescort), who stole her formula for a new fragrance, threatens to sue her for intellectual property theft. Meanwhile, her ex-boyfriend, George (Donald Woods), who lost his job due to Prudence's success, tries to sabotage her business by stealing her clients and attempting to convince Grant to fire her.

Despite these setbacks, Prudence continues to work tirelessly to build her business, eventually becoming a highly successful entrepreneur. Along the way, she also falls in love with Grant, who is drawn to her ambition and intellect. However, when Elsa's threat of a lawsuit becomes a reality, Prudence must fight to clear her name and save her business.

Overall, Beauty for the Asking is an engaging drama that explores themes of ambition, perseverance, and love. Lucille Ball delivers a standout performance as Prudence, bringing a depth and vulnerability to the character that makes her journey all the more compelling. The film also features strong supporting performances from Patric Knowles and Donald Woods, who both deliver nuanced portrayals of characters who are both antagonistic and sympathetic.

One of the film's strengths is its portrayal of Prudence's ambitions, which are depicted as both admirable and challenging. Prudence is shown to be a talented chemist and an innovative entrepreneur, but she also faces significant challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry. The film doesn't shy away from exploring the sexism and prejudice that Prudence faces, but it also doesn't present her as a victim. Instead, Prudence is depicted as a strong and determined woman who refuses to let obstacles get in the way of her dreams.

Another strength of Beauty for the Asking is its exploration of the relationship between Prudence and Grant. While their romance is a central part of the film, it is presented as a partnership between two people who respect and admire each other. Grant is drawn to Prudence's intellect and drive, and he supports her ambitions even when they conflict with his own interests. Their relationship is portrayed as a healthy and supportive one, which is refreshing in a film from this era.

In terms of its visual style and direction, Beauty for the Asking is a solid but unremarkable effort. The film is well-shot and features some stylish compositions, but it doesn't have the visual flair of other films from this era. The direction is workmanlike, with a focus on storytelling rather than stylistic flourishes.

In conclusion, Beauty for the Asking is a well-crafted drama with strong performances and an engaging story. While it may not be a classic of the era, it is a solid example of the kind of films that were being made in Hollywood in the late 1930s. Lucille Ball's performance as Prudence is a particular standout, and the film's portrayal of a strong and determined woman fighting to achieve her dreams still resonates today.

Beauty for the Asking is a 1939 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.