Private Number (3 stars)

Private Number, from 1936, is a romantic drama starring Robert Taylor and Loretta Young, with Basil Rathbone taking on a supporting role.  Though this is not one of either stars' well-known films, since today is Loretta's birthday, I wanted to highlight one of her lesser-known works.    Both Young and Taylor are extremely young here (she is 23/he is 25) and both are looking quite gorgeous.

Looking for a job, Ellen Neal (Loretta Young) shows up at Winfield Manor, where she had heard there was a housemaid position available.  Although she has had no experience, the butler, Mr. Wroxton (Rathbone), decides to hire her on a one-month trial basis.  An unkind man with ulterior motives and an attraction to Ellen, Wroxton tells her she will be responsible only to him and that one of her duties will be to look after his room.  Luckily for Ellen, Mrs. Winfield takes a liking to her, so she is soon elevated to the position of  personal ladies' maid.

One evening, the Winfields host a lavish party, and their college-age son, Richard/Dick (Robert Taylor), is in attendance.  When he spots Ellen, all dressed up in her finery, he thinks she is one of the party guests and begins dancing with her.  When she tries to tell him who she is, he says it doesn't matter.  Before long, Dick and Ellen are in love with one another, though she maintains that no one can know about their relationship, because their different social standings make the relationship inappropriate.  Dick doesn't see it that way, of course, and insists that he wants to marry her.  However, with one more year of college to go, will he be able to do that?  And what about Ellen?  With Dick now back at school and Wroxton nursing a grudge against her, will she be able to remain at Winfield Manor?

While Private Number is not a sensational film, I, nevertheless, found it to be enjoyable and very solid. Taylor and Young had great chemistry together, and I loved seeing them both in these very young years.  (I've actually seen Loretta even younger...in Platinum Blonde.)  They were both totally beautiful here---as they would continue to be throughout their careers.  Oh, and for those who are Basil Rathbone fans, he is in his mid 40's here...and quite handsome.

One thing I found quite comical and/or ironic was a line early in the film when Ellen is on a blind date.  She's talking with her friend Gracie, and Gracie says, "...about as handsome as Gable, and Gable isn't bad."  Loretta's response, "I'll say not."  Given that the previous year had seen her involved with Clark Gable (and bearing his child), I wondered how hard it was to say those words.

Anyhow, Private Number is an enjoyable film, one which I feel sure Loretta Young and Robert Taylor fans will want to see.  While it's not out on DVD,  it is available on YouTube (in several parts).

Happy viewing!!