Bought! (1931) watch online HD

This is an extremely enjoyable film despite the print quality. Miss Bennett was worth every penny that the Brother's Warner paid her. It was a little disconcerting to see her so painfully thin but that was part of the 1930's allure. A fine cast, no clinkers at all. Note that Dorothy Peterson was just 7 years old when she supposedly gave birth to CB - only in Hollywood! Miss Peterson was intelligent enough to accept mother roles very early in her career and thus prolonged it far beyond the average tenure of her contemporaries. Thank goodness that films such as this have survived to serve as a counterpoint to what is produced today.

In 1931 Constance Bennett's star shone brighter than ever. At this point of her career she was Hollywood's highest paid actress. While filming BOUGHT, Warner Brothers paid her the all-time high salary of $30.000 a week. This is a superior Pre-code drama film and perhaps one of Constance Bennett's most unusual films, but certainly one of her best.

The advertising slogan for BOUGHT was : "She sold her self for a taste of life". When the film came out in 1931 it received rave reviews, above all because of Constance Bennetts natural acting and her fine portrayal of a modern girl. It's a good story - Constance Bennett is cast as a young woman of rather poor background who lives with her mother. When her mother dies she moves to an apartment. She gets a job as a fashion model at a modiste shop where she meets an elderly man (played by Bennett's real life father Richard). She loves to read literature and he gives her a few books with rather suggestive titles (including James Harvey Robinson's "The mind in the making" and Molnar's "Eva and Derelict boat") and they soon become friends. But she is put off by his age and later she gets bored by his company and she begins to avoid him. She falls for a young writer (Ben Lyon), but what she desires is a wealthy society life and she starts an affair with a rich guy (Ray Milland). But she does not feel happy with him.

The film has nothing really spectacular, but it's a very engaging, charming and beautiful film. It's indeed very well and naturally acted by Constance - less melodramatic than in her previous films - and she's a powerful presence here. She makes her character sensitive, intelligent and alluring, and she looks more beautiful than ever. I never saw her look any better. In my opinion this is Constance Bennett at her best. Another highlight of BOUGHT is the presence of Richard Bennett who gives a very poignant and realistic portrayal as her father. His screen presence is really something special here. What makes this film rather touching is the fact that Constance Bennett befriends a mysterious elderly man, a man unknown to her, but he is her long lost father.

BOUGHT is somewhat more realistic than Constance Bennett's previous films like THE EASIEST WAY, SIN TAKES A HOLIDAY or BORN TO LOVE. There's also some nice music in the background now and then, which heightens the atmosphere.

Highly recommended.

I saw a very murky, dark print (the film can be found), but it still engaged me completely, which is saying something given the condition of the print. I'll admit I'm a Constance Bennett fan, and this was made during her peak years. A social climbing girl finds out she was illegitimate and why, but doesn't realize she is guilty of the same superficiality as her mother. She follows the same path... I won't say more to not give away the story, but while the ending may be expected, it is an entertaining path getting there. There are no early 30s melodramatics here, the acting was quite good and I think it's the only opportunity to see Constance Bennett playing opposite here father Richard. If you like early talkie drama, this is highly recommended.