Easy to Look At (1945)

• 49%
• 1945
• Music
• Ford Beebe
• Gloria Jean
• Kirby Grant
• J. Edward Bromberg

Upon arriving in New York City, nineteen-year-old Judith Dawson, who hopes to gain fame and fortune as a costume designer, goes to the design house of Tylers, Ltd. looking for a job. After falling asleep while waiting for an interview, Judy is discovered by Gustav Levant, the night watchman, who was once a great couturier. Mistaking Gustav for Bruce Tyler, Judy shows the watchman her designs, and though he recognizes her talent, he advises her to return home to Maine. Gustav then realizes that it is his birthday, and the two put on some costumes and go to a nightclub. Their good time is interrupted, however, when Bruce arrives, but they manage to escape detection with the help of Phillipe, the nightclub's maitre d'. Like Cinderella, Judy leaves behind part of her costume, a bracelet, which Bruce finds and cradles like a glass slipper. The next morning Bruce meets with musical revue producer Billingsly Billings and his star, Helene Ford, to go over the latest designs by Tyler's couturier, Antonio. Judy is nearly fired when she tries to show Bruce her designs during the meeting, but he takes a fancy to her later that night. Jealous of Bruce's attentions toward Helene, Judy decides to prove herself by redesigning the singer's gown. In order to protect Judy, Gustav then falsely confesses to changing the costume himself. Just as Bruce is about to fire him, Helene puts on the gown and proclaims that she will wear only clothes designed by Gustav. Though Gustav wants to tell Bruce the truth, Judy suggests that they work together to design Helene's gowns under his name. Soon thereafter, Judy finally captures Bruce's heart, only to be falsely accused of stealing Gustav's designs and selling them to another design house. While the love-struck Bruce chases after Judy, Gustav confesses all to Billings. Upon his return, they try to tell Bruce the truth about Judy, but he is so angry at her rejection of him that he refuses to listen to even the mention of her name. Before she can return to Maine, Gustav convinces Judy to go to opening night of Gustav's show in order to see her costume on stage. Gustav then arranges to have Bruce and Judy seated in the same box, and when she drops her bracelet, Bruce realizes that she is the girl for whom he has been looking. Following her out of the theater, Bruce gets into a horse-drawn carriage with Judy, and as Gustav and Antonio drive them to Central Park, the two finally confess their love for each other.