Zeus

Cross-Country Romance (1940)

• Director
  • Frank Woodruff
• Writers
  • Eleanor Brown(novel "Highway to Romance")
  • Jerome Cady(screenplay)
  • Bert Granet(screenplay)
• Stars
  • Gene Raymond
  • Wendy Barrie
  • Hedda Hopper

  Eleanor Browne's novel Highway to Romance was the source for this moneyspinning RKO Radio comedy. Obviously inspired by It Happened One Night, the story is set in motion by runaway heiress Diane (Wendy Barrie), who hopes to escape from her impending marriage. Stowing away in the trailer owned by San Francisco-bound doctor Larry (Gene Raymond), Diane proves to be a most contentious travelling companion, though the audience is well aware that the couple will cease bickering and start smoothing somewhere around Reel Five. Adding to the comic intrigue is the fact that Larry is unaware of Diane's true identity, leading to several uncomfortable scrapes with the Authorities. Cross Country Romance marked the return to the screen after a two-year absence by Gene Raymond; his director on this auspicious occasion was Frank Woodruff, late of radio's Lux Presents Hollywood.