BootDigest
Such a frustrating disappointment
VeteranLight
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
Moustroll
Good movie but grossly overrated
mark.waltz
When working class secretary Lucille Ball encounters wealthy Edmund O'Brien at the opera, sparks fly, and so does a purse. Ball's family have somehow ended up with O'Brien's usual opera box tickets and both parties create a huge disturbance that ends with Ball's purse flying out of her hands and onto O'Brien's head when he's (heaven forbid!) seated in the orchestra. The next thing Ball knows, she's been recruited to become O'Brien's secretary and initial hatred turns into an unlikely friendship. O'Brien has an obnoxious socialite fiancée (Marguerite Chapman) who keeps on walking in on Ball and O'Brien at awkward times and creates all sorts of misunderstandings. Ball is engaged to a sailor (George Murphy) who befriends O'Brien and takes him under his wing. O'Brien finds he likes Ball's rowdy family more than his social circle, and Ball finds that while she adores Murphy, her feelings for O'Brien cannot be denied.There are some really funny moments in this film, including an incident with a naval pal of Murphy's who literally can grow four inches at will simply by stretching his neck, back and leg muscles (and apparently shrink back to his normal height). This creates a scene in front of sniffy Franklin Pangborn's pet supply store and brings on typical comic havoc. O'Brien, later a dependable tough guy, is different here than anything he did later on, so that makes for an interesting twist. However, great comic moments don't make a great film, and this ultimately is missing the flour that makes the cake rise. None of Ball's later wackiness is apparent in this one. I must also point out that eccentrically obnoxious isn't always amusing to watch, and that describes Ball's family here to the tea.
xerses13
HAROLD LLOYD produced this alleged comedy. Whatever he did right in the Silent Era and in his fine comedies of the 1930s' he must of forgotten in this production. This film telegraph's its entire plot within the first fifth-teen (15) minutes. It is as predictable as sand running through a 'Egg-Timer' and the 'timer' is more interesting.A GIRL (Lucille Ball), A GUY (Edmond O'Brien) AND A GOB (George Murphy) form the 'love triangle'. Each wanting to do what they think is in each others best interests. All are wrong and in the end, who you thought should be together, end up together. Like we did not know that from the get go! The supporting cast also just punches their clock and collects their checks. No doubt being grateful for a short shoot! Realizing how 'unfunny' this film really is.For some reason RKO kept featuring Mr. O'Brien in a series of mediocre comedies. Fortunetly after WWII he found his true niche as a character actor. Finally rewarded with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA (1954). He continued his professionalism too the end of his career. Like-wise Mr. Murphy after success, mostly at M.G.M. also did alright, in the U.S. Senate. Ms. Ball, never a real front rank Star in Cinema, found the accomplishment and $$$ she craved in the new medium of Television. Which was more forgiving of her rather ordinary looks and slap-stick style of humor. In the 1950s' with limited competition and few channels to select from, you could be great or just the lessor of other evils too be popular.
bigfoot127
Well I saw the movie yesterday and I have to say it gave me a good laugh. As a Lucille Ball fan she played a very big role in this movie.She wasn't as goofy as she was in I Love Lucy or her future series but she was still excellent in this film.I would've given this movie 10 stars but the ending ended very abrupt and to fast. It would've been better if they would've explained it a bit more about how Steven got that tattoo on his chest. Other then that though I highly recommend this movie to anybody who wants a laugh or is a fan of Lucille Ball.
alice_cooper
I can't believe I missed this flick after taping about 350 TCM movies for my bedridden aunt last year. Read previous posts for plot line. George Murphy as "Coffee-cup" shines in this role.He is surprisingly tender towards Lucille Ball in many scenes:(the scene where they share ice cream, the pre-wedding scene). The trait I admire the most in the characters in movies of the 30's and 40's is their nobility, self sacrifice, and humility. Coffee-cup recognizes that his betrothed (Lucille Ball) is slowly falling in love with Edmund Obrien's character and nobly steps down.Then Obrien acts similarly by doing everything he can in a chase scene identical to earlier Harold Loyd films.I laughed throughout the entire movie at Skittles parents, the sailors, and the discomfort of Obrien each time he was caught "cheating" on his betrothed.
