Easy Living (1937)

In the shimmering world of wealth and power, J.B. Ball reigns supreme as a prominent investment banker. However, beneath his flourishing empire, familial tensions simmer. J.B.'s son, John Jr., fervently yearns for independence, refusing to ride on his father's coattails. More concerning for J.B. is his wife, Jenny, whose uncontrolled spending habits continually chip away at his patience. The final straw comes when Jenny purchases a stunning $58,000 sable coat, despite owning a vast array of other furs. In a fit of exasperation, J.B. hurls the coat from the rooftop, a decision that triggers a cascade of unforeseen events. The extravagant coat lands serendipitously in the lap of Mary Smith, an industrious yet impoverished young woman. Unaware of the coat's true value and oblivious to J.B.'s identity, Mary accepts the lavish gift, along with a matching hat to replace her own that was damaged in the encounter. This innocent exchange, however, ignites a whirlwind of rumours amongst the city's high society, painting Mary as J.B.'s clandestine mistress. As the city buzzes with scandalous whispers, Mary crosses paths with Johnny, a charming automat busboy. Drawn to each other, they soon fall into a sweet, unsuspecting romance. But their blissful bubble is threatened when Johnny is revealed to be John Ball Jr., J.B.'s rebellious son, and Mary's perceived connection to the wealthy Ball family comes to light. In a twist of fate, Johnny loses his job, J.B. teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, and his marriage to Jenny hangs by a thread. Amidst this chaos, the unsuspecting Mary and Johnny must navigate the web of misunderstandings and unravel the truth. The film, 'Easy Living', is a delightful, heart-warming tale that explores the complexities of wealth, relationships, and the power of misconceptions, all wrapped up in the allure of a sable coat.

Easy Living is a comedy movie featuring Jean Arthur and directed by Mitchell Leisen.

Easy Living is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.