The film's premise is so hard to believe that this should have been written as a comedy. The deception is so involved, and the lie is so big, and the reason for the big lie is so silly, that it stretches credulity to the breaking point. If it were a comedy the whole premise would be easier to swallow, because it is pretty daffy! Not to mention, the ending was sort of a letdown...and abrupt.
shareTCM states it was written as a comedy. Granted it just came on and I haven't watched it yet.
shareI've also heard "The Richest Girl in the World" cited as a Comedy but don't get that channel.
Remember tha back in 1934, audiences hadn't seen anything like this before, and so it was well-received and often imitated afterward.
She just wants to make sure that he doesn't fall in love with her money instead of with her personality, brains, beauty, caring, and other positive traits.