History Film / MerrilyWeGoToHell

Jerry Corbett (March) is an alcoholic reporter who falls in love with sweet heiress, Joan Prentice (Sydney). She’s smitten even though his alcoholic behaviour, although charming at first, shows some bad tendencies.

Deciding to be a “modern wife”, Joan keeps up the HappyMarriageCharade while having her own string of affairs. However, it all becomes too much, and she leaves Jerry though she still loves him.

!!This film demonstrates the following tropes:

* TitleDrop: The title is said various times by Jerry right before he takes a swig of drink, and even Joan says it once she realizes she’s going to be a “modern wife”.

-->'''Jerry''': I always said you were swell.
-->'''Joan''': Perhaps you won't think so much longer because if being a modern husband gives you privileges, then being a modern wife gives me privileges. I spent the morning realizing that we're living in a modern world - where there's no place for old-fashioned wives. You seem to want a modern wife and that's what I'm going to be. In other words, I'm going to unpack my trunks. You see, I'd rather go merrily to Hell with you than alone.

* MySecretPregnancy: Joan finds out she’s pregnant, and she tries to tell Jerry, but he’s so drunk and embarrasses her for the last time. She leaves without telling him. Jerry only finds out via birth announcement in a scandal column.

At first, the marriage is blissful as Jerry is on the wagon and tries to sell his play while Joan is a happy housewife. Things rapidly disintegrate when they move to New York after Jerry’s play is picked up and his ex-wife, Claire Hempstead (Adrianne Allen), stars in it. Consequently, she turns him to the bottle and they begin a very public affair.

* TheAlcoholic: It’s shown as a big issue for Jerry although he’s occasionally used for laughs. He fails to attend his engagement party because he passes out drunk. He sobers up for a while but once his play becomes a hit in New York.
* ArcWords: Jerry’s “I think you’re swell” which he repeats to Joan. At first, it’s sweet, but it rings hollow once he starts cheating on her, and Joan reveals he’s never said that he loves her. Joan stops him in the climax and lets him know that if she hears that again, she’ll kill him.
* BreakTheCutie: Joan tries to put up a happy face until she realizes that Jerry has gone back to his two vices: drinking and Claire. The last straw comes when at ''their home'', Claire and Jerry are making out in front of their friends.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Mr. Prentice tries to buy off Jerry, but he clearly loves her and won’t do it.

* MySecretPregnancy: Claire finds out she’s pregnant, and she tries to tell Jerry, but he’s so drunk and embarrasses her in front of everyone with his overt affair with Claire, then she leaves without telling him. Jerry only finds out in a birth announcement in a scandal column.

* UsefulNotes/ThePreCodeEra: This is the type of film that could’ve only been made during the loose time of the early thirties. Joan becomes a “modern wife” being code for a wife that has various affairs.

* TitleDrop: The title is said various times by Jerry right before he takes a swig of drink, and even Joan says it too once she realizes she’s going to be a “modern wife”.

* SlutShaming: Surprisingly averted.

Deciding to be a “modern wife”, Joan decides to keep the HappyMarriageCharade going with her own string of affairs. However, it all becomes too much, and she leaves Jerry though she still loves him.

Jerry Corbett (March) is an alcoholic reporter who follows in love with sweet heiress, Joan Prentice (Sydney). She’s smitten even though his alcoholic behaviour, although charming at first, shows some bad tendencies.

At first, the marriage is blissful as Jerry is on the wagon and tries to sell his play while Joan is a happy housewife. Things rapidly disintegrate when they move to New York after Jerry’s play is picked up and his ex-wife, Claire Hempstead (Adrianne Allen), stars in it. Consequently, she turns him to the bottle once more and they begin a very public affair.

Deciding to be a “modern wife”, Joan decides to keep the HappyMarriageCharade going with her own string of affairs on the side. However, it all becomes too much, and she leaves Jerry although she still loves him.

Deciding to be a “modern wife”, Joan decides to keep the HappyMarriageCharade going with her own string of affairs on the side. However, it all becomes too much, and she leaves Jerry although she loves him still.

* ManipulativeBitch: Claire. She is the catalyst for Jerry hitting the bottle again. She barely seems to care.

* BreakTheCutie: Joan tries to put up a happy face until she realizes that Jerry has gone back to his two vices: drinking and Claire. The last straw comes when they’re at ''their home'' and Claire and Jerry are making out in front of their friends.

--'''Richard''': Well, I don't know. Yours is just a common case. When we're young, we want to marry for love, and when we're a little older, we marry a Rolls-Royce.

* DaddysLittleGirl: Joan adores her father, and as his only child, he’s clearly protective of her.

* ThePreCodeEra: This is the type of film that could’ve only been made during the loose time of the early thirties. Joan becomes a “modern wife” being code for a wife that has various affairs.

''Merrily We Go to Hell'' (1932) is a [[UsefulNotes/ThePreCodeEra pre-code]] drama starring Creator/SylviaSydney and Creator/FredricMarch. It was directed by Creator/DorothyArzner (the only working female director at the time). The film also boasts Creator/CaryGrant in a small role.

''Merrily We Go to Hell'' (1932) is a [[UsefulNotes/ThePreCodeEra pre-code]] drama starring Creator/SylviaSydney and Creator/FredericMarch. It was directed by Creator/DorothyArzner (the only working female director at the time). The film also boasts Creator/CaryGrant in a small role.