Loving Lucy: Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949)

Aug. 5, 2011

67. Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949)

Starring Lucille Ball, William Holden, Janis Carter, James Gleason, Gloria Henry, Frank McHugh

Directed by Lloyd Bacon

Plot: "A bookie uses a phony real estate business as a front for his betting parlor. To further keep up the sham, he hires dim-witted Ellen Grant as his secretary figuring she won't suspect any criminal goings-on. When Ellen learns of some friends who are about to lose their homes, she unwittingly drafts her boss into developing a new low-cost housing development.” (from IMDb)

Since I haven’t seen many of Lucille Ball’s films, in honor of her 100th birthday blogathon I decided to view one of them. I honestly was not expecting much from this movie and it was about what I thought it would be. Not a bad way to pass the time, but not a profound cinematic achievement either.

  

Dependable character actor Charles Lane has a small role near the beginning of this movie. I Love Lucy fans will recognize him from several episodes of the show: “Staten Island Ferry” (1956), “The Business Manager” (1954), “Lucy Tells the Truth” (1953), and “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (1953).

 
Another actor in this that would later appear in I Love Lucy was Will Wright, who showed up in two episodes: "Tennessee Bound” (1955), and "The Handcuffs” (1952).

 
Lucy looks gorgeous in this film. Costumes were designed by Jean Louis.

Together with Holden, James Gleason and Frank McHugh make up the trio of bookies.

 

When this film was made, William Holden had not yet reached the height of his fame, which would be launched by his success the following year in Sunset Blvd. I found his character in this film a bit too cynical to be a sympathetic leading man for this type of light comedy. In fact, I actually thought Ellen’s (Ball’s) boyfriend was a lot nicer than the bookie character played by Holden. He is very handsome, and though comedy may not be Holden’s forte, there are glimmers of the dry wit and unmistakable voice that helped make him a star.

William Holden would later star in a very famous episode of I Love Lucy. Here is a clip from part of that show:

You can also watch Lucy light her nose on fire and throw a pie at Holden.

According to IMDb: “Rita Hayworth was going to star in this movie, but Hayworth requested script revisions, and went on suspension to avoid making it.” I can’t say I really blame her. The material is just not that good.

One of the best parts of the film was near the end when Lucy’s character pretends to be tough-talking gangster. It reminds me of the kind of comedy she would later come to embody as Lucy Ricardo.

Though the film as a whole is rather unremarkable, it is interesting to watch these promising stars at this point in their careers. A solid B picture, it’s not a great movie, but it is worth watching if one is interested in Ball’s career pre-I Love Lucy.

{Here are more photos and some behind-the-scenes pictures from this film.}

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This is post is my humble contribution to the Loving Lucy Blogathon, hosted by True Classics.

Send Me No Flowers (1964)

July 31, 2011

66. Send Me No Flowers (1964)
 
Starring Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Paul Lynde, Hal March
Directed by Norman Jewison

Plot: "A hypochondriac thinks he's dying this time, and makes plans for his wife which she discovers and misunderstands." (from IMDb)

Yes, another movie by Norman Jewison starring Doris Day. I liked this one a whole lot better, though. Doris and Rock are so great together (major understatement) and I like the fact that they are already married because it mixes up the usual plot of their previous two movies (Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back). Plus, somehow it feels fresher for this film to take place in suburbia instead of the city like the previous two.



I'm kind of a hypochondriac myself (though not really in the way Rock's character is) so I thought that part of the story was very humorous.



This movie is really funny! I always find Tony Randall to be so hilarious, and he has some great lines in this film. I never realized just how good Hudson is at comedy. I can't help comparing him to James Garner since I just watched The Thrill of It All, and with all due respect to Mr. Garner, Rock really knows how to make this kind of film work.

Paul Lynde also makes an appearance as a man who sells grave plots...and perhaps enjoys his work a little too much.

I was really enjoying this film until 'it' happened. You know, that almost inevitable factor of so many romantic comedies, when due to some misunderstanding or confused motive the couple becomes furious at one another and break-up. They then proceed to go through all kinds of hoops and levels of anger and revenge before ultimately getting back together before the credits roll. No matter how big the accusation or problem was, all is forgiven and everyone is happy. Maybe it's just that I don't like confrontation, but I find this plot device to be really tiresome. Especially when it's in SO many movies. Can't there be another cause of friction other than the relationship? It's just so predictable. I wish they could've done something fresher with the second half of the film.

Criticism aside, I still did really enjoy this and would watch it again in an instant. It's the kind of movie that is just wonderful escapism—an instant pick-me-up. If you love Doris and Rock in their previous pairings, don't skip this one!

 

The Thrill of It All (1963)

July 29, 2011

65. The Thrill of It All (1963)

Starring Doris Day, James Garner, Arlene Francis, Edward Andrews
Directed by Norman Jewison

Plot: "A doctor tries to cope with his wife's newfound stardom as an advertising pitch woman." (from TCMDb)

This movie is really silly, and it wasn’t one of my favorites, but I will concede that it’s quite amusing.

Doris Day is fun as usual and her Jean Louis wardrobe alone is worth viewing the movie for (thus so many screen caps of what she’s wearing!). There were some fun cameos in this and lots of familiar character actors—Zasu Pitts (pictured above), Carl Reiner (who also was one of the writers of the screenplay), Reginald Owen (he was hilarious as Old Tom Fraleigh), Alice Pearce (also in Bewitched), Bernie Kopell (Get Smart!) and Hayden Rourke (I Dream of Jeannie) among others.

This isn't bad entertainment, but it lacks a certain sparkle...or something. I can't quite put my finger on just what.

Content advisory: A bit of crass humor and some mild language. Both unwarranted and unnecessary, though minor.



Doris modeling more flawless ‘60s fashion.



The kids in this were kind of funny when they weren’t being annoying. :) You may recognize the little girl from her role as Gretel in The Sound of Music. She was adorable!



The film’s humor poked at the advertising world was quite funny. I also love Doris’ outfit here (and the set!).



One of Beverly’s few hobbies is canning their own ketchup. The moment where her husband (James Garner) finds her and Mike (Elliot Reid) in the basement is probably one of the funnier moments. Garner’s line delivery is just so perfect. Other than that scene, though, I found Garner rather hit-and-miss with the comedy. It wasn’t awful, but it makes me appreciate what Rock Hudson did. It’s not easy to carry off this type of comedy and make it work!





Arlene Francis is a woman who has finally conceived and she and her husband are elated. (Don’t worry, I’m really not giving much away because this is revealed about one minute into the film—even before the opening credits roll.) It’s a little hard to accept that Francis (56 at the film’s release) is young enough to even have a baby, though! Edward Andrews as Francis’ husband was was way too over the top in this, especially near the end.




Love her outfit!

One thing I really did not get about this movie was why Gerald (Garner) went to such lengths to make his wife jealous. There was this big plot buildup and then it went absolutely nowhere. I’m still puzzled about that.

More photos…

…and CUT! 

College (1927)

July 15-16, 2011

63. College (1927)

Starring Buster Keaton, Anne Cornwall, Harold Goodwin
Directed by James W. Horne

Plot: "To reconcile with his girlfriend, a bookish college student tries to become an athlete." (from IMDb)

I'd only seen ONE silent movie prior to this (Chaplin's City Lights) and this was my first Buster Keaton film. It was amusing enough, I guess, but I can't say that I really loved it. While there are some funny parts, it wasn’t one I would be dying to see again.

I read a few online reviews of this and most seemed to agree that it was a mediocre, though not entirely awful, effort—kind of Keaton on auto-pilot. So maybe I should give some of his more popular films a chance.

There is also a bit of blackface (pictured above) in this that is uncomfortable to watch.

I wasn't crazy about the musical accompaniment on the DVD I watched; at times I felt like it detracted from the picture.

I thought the very end was rather odd. I think it was meant to be humorous…? Or perhaps it was making a social statement. I'm not sure.

The Devil and Miss Jones (1941)

July 5, 2011

60. The Devil and Miss Jones (1941)

Starring Jean Arthur, Robert Cummings, Charles Coburn, Edmund Gwenn, Spring Byington, S.Z. Sakall, William Demarest

Directed by Sam Wood

Plot: "A tycoon goes undercover to ferret out agitators at a department store, but gets involved in their lives instead." (from IMDb)

Despite the fact that the plot feels like one you've seen before—you know, the wealthy curmudgeon that encounters the populace and converts to simple living…or something like that—it's  saved by great performances by Charles Coburn and the supporting cast. That cast includes Jean Arthur (perfect in this type of role), Edmund Gwenn (playing a very un-Kris-Kringle-like role. Gwenn had such range as an actor and is always a lively presence), Spring Byington (her ever-loving self), and S.Z. Sakall (the blustering butler). Robert Cummings is perhaps the one weak note in an otherwise talented ensemble.

Arthur and Coburn deliver some wonderful comedy (I especially like the scene where she is trying to muster courage to wop him over the head!)

If you enjoy '30s style Capra or just a good comedy, this is probably one that you’ll want to check out.

Never Say Goodbye (1946)

July 2, 2011

59. Never Say Goodbye (1946)

Starring Errol Flynn, Eleanor Parker, Lucile Watson, S.Z. Sakall
Directed by James V. Kern

Plot: "Phil and Ellen Gayley have been divorced for a year, and their 8-year old daughter, Flip, is very unhappy that her parents are not together…" (you can read the rest of the summary at IMDb but be aware that it does give some plot points away)

I really enjoyed this film. It was fun to see Errol in a comedy and he and Eleanor Parker (who looks gorgeous, by the way) are charming together. I especially liked Flynn's scenes with his daughter in the film, played by Patti Brady. Hattie McDaniel also has a small role, and she's hilarious. Forrest Tucker is also great in his comedic scenes as a burly Marine whose athletic prowess leaves Errol jealous...and injured.

Interesting fact: There is a part where Errol, imitating a ruthless and jealous husband, puts on a Humphrey Bogart accent. I thought he did a great job with it...until I read on IMDb that apparently Bogart himself did the dubbing!

 
Aren’t they cute? [source]

I think this is an underrated gem that deserves to be shown more and hopefully released on DVD soon. Watch it if you get a chance. :)

The Farmer’s Daughter (1947)

June 20, 2011

57. The Farmer’s Daughter (1947)

Starring Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, Charles Bickford
Directed by H.C. Potter

Plot: "Katie Holstrom leaves the farm to become a nurse, but is sidetracked into domestic service, romance, and politics." (from IMDb)

This is a fun and light-hearted film with a simple (and rather unrealistic) plot. Though the material is just okay, I feel that this movie is really saved by the capable actors that play the roles. I especially love Charles Bickford’s performance. It’s also enjoyable to see Joseph Cotten in a slightly comedic role. He was such a talented performer that really seemed to do well in any part (at least of the ones I’ve seen). Despite the fact that I never really thought of him as a romantic lead (you know, Uncle Charlie, Holly Martins, and all that), I think it works and he comes of as quite charming. 

{source}

I’m not really sure what I think of Loretta Young here. I like her okay, I just have a hard time believing that this was really worthy of an Oscar. It’s not that I’m mean and don’t want her to be recognized—she had been in Hollywood a long time and perhaps the Academy just felt she was due something—but this performance doesn’t strike me as that challenging. Yes, she had to learn to speak with a Swedish accent (though I don’t know how convincing it is because I’m not familiar with the language), but there is nothing about this role that seems particularly note-worthy. Perhaps it’s just one of those subtle parts that I don’t fully appreciate? What do you think?

I can’t help wondering what this film would’ve been like with an actual Swede in the role—like maybe Ingrid Bergman (who apparently turned it down). I think it would be interesting to view the other 1948 Best Actress contenders and compare them (the only other one I’ve seen is Gentleman’s Agreement and I know I would not give it to Dorothy McGuire).

In case you are interested, there is an interesting article on Loretta Young's official site about the background and making of this film. You can check it out here.

I also came across this review, which I feel aptly summarizes both the strengths and weaknesses of the picture.

This scene is one of the best in the movie. I love how they make fun of political rallies.

The big winners at the 1948 Oscars: Darryl Zanuck (Best Picture, Gentleman’s Agreement), Edmund Gwenn (Best Supporting Actor, Miracle on 34th Street), Loretta Young (Best Actress, The Farmer’s Daughter), Ronald Colman (Best Actor, A Double Life), Celeste Holm (Best Supporting Actress, Gentleman’s Agreement).

Here is a news clip of the 1948 Oscar highlights. It's really fun to watch and there are quite a few famous faces spotted (in addition to the winners, we see Fredric March, Olivia de Havilland, and Anne Baxter presenting). I love how classy the Academy Awards were back then...and can I just say how much I love the women's dresses/gloves/hair? So glamorous!

The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956)

June 3-4, 2011

55. The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956)

Starring Judy Holliday, Paul Douglas

Directed by Richard Quine

Plot: Laura Partridge, stockholder of a small amount of shares through International Projects, takes on this large corporation and seeks to eliminate corruption.

Remember how I said in my review of It Should Happen to You that I didn't really 'get' Judy Holliday? Well, I watched this and loved her…and the film. I'm so glad I saw this, as it was a lot more fun that I was expecting. Plus, Judy just plays this type of role to perfection. It helps, too, that her character is slightly less ditzy than usual. (I also noticed that--for whatever reason--her characteristic accent is not quite as strong here.)

If you watch a lot of old movies, you will surely spot several familiar character actors—John Williams, Richard Deacon, Ray Collins, and others (including narration by George Burns).

I also really liked Paul Douglas in this. He's not your typical Hollywood leading man and I just love that! Plus, he has a great screen presence. His budding romance with Judy's character is really sweet.

Over all, I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It's a very cute movie that is definitely worth checking out. I'm so glad I decided to give Judy another chance! :)