This remains my all-time favorite comedy. Has been since it's release in 1948. I had been a fan of John Lund for some time, but never realized he had this enormous gift for comedy. I mean, he is amazing, wild, hilarious--and romantic!
Paramount Studios was the home of most of my favorite actors back in my twice-a-week movie going days and I seldom missed one of their movies. This one proved to be far above all expectations!
From the moment we see Ray Milland replacing our feckless hero in a staged stunt on a Hollywood sound stage, we are hooked. 'Lower me gently, boys,' Milland instructs, as the already forgotten stunt man has to brush himself off after painfully setting the scene of a high fall. Enter Barry Fitzgerald and an intriguing proposal.
Skeptical at first, Lund gets into character with a vengeance as the story progresses and his impersonation of the loony Tatlock heir is alternately petted and put-down by various greedy family members. Monty Wooley is priceless, Ilka Chase perfect in her snobby zingers. Even she admits that her darling son Niki (Stack) has much charm but it wears off too quickly. When she sics Niki on Wanda Henricks, the innocent youngest Tatlock, Lund goes into gear!
Richard Hayden, that master of sly comedy, not only directs but also appears in a short role that adds to his luster as a character actor. In fact, he seems to have the perfect cast to work with here.
From midnight bloomings in a greenhouse, to sunny revelations on a beach in Maui, this is one fast-paced, hilarious, and oh-so-witty film. I have NEVER understood its obscurity. It is a gem.
Paramount Studios was the home of most of my favorite actors back in my twice-a-week movie going days and I seldom missed one of their movies. This one proved to be far above all expectations!
From the moment we see Ray Milland replacing our feckless hero in a staged stunt on a Hollywood sound stage, we are hooked. 'Lower me gently, boys,' Milland instructs, as the already forgotten stunt man has to brush himself off after painfully setting the scene of a high fall. Enter Barry Fitzgerald and an intriguing proposal.
Skeptical at first, Lund gets into character with a vengeance as the story progresses and his impersonation of the loony Tatlock heir is alternately petted and put-down by various greedy family members. Monty Wooley is priceless, Ilka Chase perfect in her snobby zingers. Even she admits that her darling son Niki (Stack) has much charm but it wears off too quickly. When she sics Niki on Wanda Henricks, the innocent youngest Tatlock, Lund goes into gear!
Richard Hayden, that master of sly comedy, not only directs but also appears in a short role that adds to his luster as a character actor. In fact, he seems to have the perfect cast to work with here.
From midnight bloomings in a greenhouse, to sunny revelations on a beach in Maui, this is one fast-paced, hilarious, and oh-so-witty film. I have NEVER understood its obscurity. It is a gem.