Character Analysis
If there's any pure jerk in this film, it's Herb, the guy who'll pay off any dude who's willing to get Clara off his hands:
HERB: Well, I'll tell you. I got stuck on a blind date with a dog, and I just met an old girl I used to know, and I was wondering how I'm gonna get rid of the girl I'm with. Somebody to take her home, you know what I mean? I'd be glad to pay you five bucks if you take her home for me.
We know (because he tells Clara's friend's hubby) that he only gets one Saturday off every three weeks, and as far as he's concerned sweet, quiet Clara is a waste of that night off.
But we can be grateful to him, because Mr. Cad shows us a couple important things: a) the larger society in the film, and b) what kind of man our Marty is.
Dates With Dogs
Herb lets Marty know in no uncertain terms that he thinks Clara is no tomato. Of course, Clara might not be flashy, or a vixen, but to our eyes she's a perfectly sweet-faced lady. But she just doesn't fit the bombshell looks of the 1950s.
But Herb's caddishness gives Marty an opportunity to be valiant, not only turning down the guy's five bucks but also showing some real caring and sympathy by approaching Clara and asking her to dance. Her rejection seems to hurt him just as much (if not more) than his own lonesomeness.
If you ask us, Herb is the one who's the waste of a Saturday night. And it's his jerky behavior that paves the way for the grand love story between the best two dogs we know.