The Palm Beach Story
Seen it?1942 | 88 min | Comedy, Romance
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved High Society, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, romantic.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1942: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A New York inventor, Tom Jeffers, needs cash to develop his big idea, so his adoring wife, Gerry, decides to raise it by divorcing him and marrying an eccentric Florida millionaire, J. D. Hackensacker III.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
97% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 31K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Preston Sturges
- Claudette ColbertGeraldine 'Gerry' Jeffers
- Joel McCreaTom Jeffers
- Mary AstorThe Princess Centimillia
- Rudy ValleeJohn D. Hackensacker III
- Sig ArnoToto
- Robert WarwickMr. Hinch
- Arthur Stuart HullMr. Osmond
- Torben MeyerDr. Kluck
- Jimmy ConlinMr. Asweld
- Victor PotelMr. McKeewie