The Story of Love Is News
Love Is News tells the tale of a resourceful newspaper reporter who thinks he's playing a clever game when he uses false pretenses to extract a juicy story from a wealthy heiress named Tony Gateson. What he doesn't anticipate is that Tony—sharp, quick-thinking, and not someone to be trifled with—has her own playbook. She decides to turn the tables on him by announcing to the press that they're engaged. Suddenly, the hunter becomes the hunted. Our protagonist finds himself transformed from newsmaker into the news itself, complete with salesmen camping at his doorstep, a job hanging by a thread, and a romantic entanglement he never saw coming. What follows is a delightful spiral of misadventures, firings, rehirings, and the unexpected arrival of Tony's ex-fiancé—all of which conspire to upend his carefully ordered life and, naturally, complicate matters of the heart.
Behind the Making of Love Is News
Love Is News arrived in 1937 as a significant milestone for Tyrone Power, marking the first time the studio granted him top billing in a feature film. At that point in his career, Power had already begun to establish himself as a leading man, but this project represented a vote of confidence from 20th Century Fox that he could carry an entire picture. Director Tay Garnett helmed the project with a light touch, understanding that screwball comedy demands rhythm and timing above all else. Loretta Young, already a seasoned performer with serious dramatic chops, brought her own star power to the role of Tony, creating a genuine partnership rather than a supporting dynamic. Don Ameche rounds out the principal cast, adding another layer of romantic complexity as the spurned ex-fiancé. The film's 77-minute runtime reflects the tightly constructed nature of studio-era comedies—there's no padding, no scene that doesn't advance either the plot or the chemistry between leads. The picture proved successful enough that Hollywood would revisit the material a decade later, remaking it in 1947 as That Wonderful Urge, again featuring Power but this time opposite Gene Tierney. That this story warranted a second telling speaks to something durable in its premise, even if the original remains the more sprightly version.
What Makes Love Is News Stand Out
What's striking about Love Is News, even now, is how it understands that the best romantic comedies aren't really about romance at all—they're about power dynamics. The central conceit, in which Tony weaponizes the very media apparatus that the reporter depends on, feels almost prescient about how information gets weaponized. There's a modern sensibility lurking beneath the 1937 veneer, and it's this that keeps the film from feeling quaint or overly sentimental. Tyrone Power, in his first leading role, shows real comedic instinct; he doesn't play the reporter as a villain or even as particularly foolish, but rather as a man who underestimated his opponent and must now scramble to regain his footing. Loretta Young, for her part, commands every scene she occupies—she's not a prize to be won but an active agent in her own story, which was refreshing even by 1937 standards. The chemistry between them crackles because neither performer is trying too hard; they understand that in screwball comedy, restraint often lands bigger laughs than mugging. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue snappy, and there's a genuine sense of fun throughout. I keep coming back to the scene where Power's character realizes the full extent of the mess he's created—it's played for comedy, sure, but there's real panic underneath, and that human vulnerability is what keeps you rooting for him even when he's being thoroughly humiliated. The supporting cast, including Ameche's wounded-but-dignified ex-fiancé, fills out a world that feels lived-in rather than constructed solely for plot mechanics.
Where to Stream Love Is News Online
Love Is News is available on major OTT services, making it easier than ever to experience this 1937 gem without hunting through dusty film archives. The specific platforms carrying the title are listed in the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page, which pulls real-time availability data so you can jump straight to whichever service you already subscribe to. If you're a regular visitor to Movie OTT, you know we track streaming availability across multiple platforms—it's one of the reasons people come back. For a film of this age and pedigree, availability can shift, so it's worth checking that widget before you settle in. The 77-minute runtime makes it perfect for a weeknight watch, and the print quality on most streaming platforms is surprisingly good given the film's age. You won't need to squint through a grainy transfer or deal with excessive artifacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Love Is News based on a true story?
No, Love Is News is an original screenplay, though the screwball-comedy premise of a reporter and heiress playing games with each other was a popular formula in 1930s Hollywood. The story was deemed compelling enough to warrant a remake in 1947 as That Wonderful Urge.
Q: Who directed Love Is News and what was his style?
Tay Garnett directed the film, and he brought a light, energetic touch to the material—exactly what screwball comedy demands. Garnett understood pacing and knew how to let actors breathe while keeping scenes moving at a clip that prevents jokes from landing too hard.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for Love Is News?
The film holds a 6.3/10 rating on IMDb, which reflects its status as a solid, entertaining period piece rather than a universally acclaimed masterpiece. It's the kind of film that rewards watching more than it rewards reading about.
Q: Why was Love Is News significant for Tyrone Power's career?
Love Is News was the first feature film in which Tyrone Power received top billing, representing a major step forward in his rise to stardom at 20th Century Fox. His performance here demonstrated that he could carry a comedy, not just serve as a romantic lead in dramas.
Q: How long is Love Is News?
The film runs 77 minutes, which is typical for studio-era comedies of the 1930s. That brisk runtime means there's no wasted space—every scene either moves the plot forward or deepens the character dynamics.
Final Thoughts on Love Is News
Love Is News deserves a spot in your streaming queue if you're the kind of viewer who appreciates snappy dialogue, genuine chemistry between leads, and a story that understands how to weaponize wit. It's not a film that demands deep analysis or rewards overthinking—it's simply a well-crafted entertainment that knows exactly what it's doing. Tyrone Power and Loretta Young make you believe in their characters' attraction even as they're scheming against each other, which is no small feat. If you've never seen a 1937 screwball comedy before, this is an excellent entry point. And if you have, you'll recognize why this one has outlasted countless others: it's made with craft, played with intelligence, and executed with real style. Don't overthink it. Just watch.
