Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

vincentlynch-moonoi I enjoyed this film, but that's not to say it's a perfect movie. The first problem is that it's one of those stories where a couple is feuding, and rather than simply talking things out, one or both sets up all sorts of clever manipulations to bring things to the conclusion he or she prefers. Okay, but there is such a thing as taking the concept too far. The other problem is that one of the lead supporting actors -- Robert Benchley -- isn't very humorous in this film...which is odd...that's his trade.But, Loretta Young is quite appealing (and beautiful) here as the stage actress who wants to retire, and Frederick March is quite good here as the husband and playwright who wants to continue working. I think the comedy works, in part, because bother actors are more dramatic actors than comedy actors. Of course, the legal aspect of Reno divorces may confound people nowadays, and understanding divorce in that era is key to appreciating the film.While Young and March did very nicely, the supporting actors were not as appealing here. As mentioned, Robert Benchley, a true wit, wasn't very funny here at all. Allyn Joslyn, usually a very funny character actor (and here the "other man" seemed a bit too frantic here, and a chance for a great scene was missed when you only heard about him being arrested at what I assume was a house of ill repute, rather than saw him being arrested; it could have been very funny. Eve Arden also seemed a bit out of place here.But, don't get me wrong. This is a very watchable film, and it's worth your time to enjoy two fine actors who move toward a somewhat predictable ending.

bkoganbing I was looking at the Citadel Film series book The Films of Fredric March while watching Bedtime Story and the author there makes the point that this seemed to be something that might have been originally designed for Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. That might be the case, but I doubt even those two could have done as good a job as Fredric March and Loretta Young did in this film.March and Young both knew how to play comedy and well, despite both of them primarily known for drama. With something like Nothing Sacred among March's best films who would doubt that? As for Loretta, she's every bit as sparkling as Irene Dunne at her best.To make the analogy complete, there's even a Ralph Bellamy part in this film, ably done by Allyn Joslyn. In fact in many ways Joslyn's the best thing in the film.The lead characters seem to me to be based on that noted theatrical couple, playwright Charles MacArthur and actress Helen Hayes. The film begins with Loretta Young taking a curtain call and giving a farewell to the theater. She and her hubby want to settle down and enjoy life. But Loretta should have suspected something when March wasn't around to take the bow with her.Good reason because that isn't March's idea at all. In fact he's written a new play for his wife, but she wants nothing to do with it. She's made her mind up and that breaks them apart. And good old Allyn Joslyn, stuffy banker in the Ralph Bellamy tradition, is ready on the rebound. He catches her all right, but the game isn't over, not from March's point of view.Bedtime Story starts out a little slow, but really makes up for it in the end. That final scene as the newly married Joslyn and Young are trying to get down to business is absolutely hysterical. The situations are funny enough, but Joslyn's reactions are what really put it over. It's something borrowed from A Night At The Opera.In fact I spotted elements from The Awful Truth, His Girl Friday, and Twentieth Century as well as the Marx Brothers classic. And producer B.P. Schulberg and director Alexander Hall make it all work.Rounding out the cast in familiar type cast parts are Helen Westley, Robert Benchley, Eve Arden, Joyce Compton and Grady Sutton. You just mention those names and any devoted film buff can tell you exactly what they played.I'm surprised Bedtime Story isn't rated higher by fans of both leads. It's a real gem of a screwball comedy, don't miss it.

MartinHafer This was a pretty interesting film for me because my wife and I watched it and had rather different ideas about the film--at least until the final half hour which we both enjoyed. She hated most of the film--mostly because Frederic March's character was such an awful liar and manipulator. I think she just wanted something terrible to happen to him once and for all! I loved the film and didn't mind that March played such a cad. After all, the guy who manipulates his wife and tries to prevent her from remarrying is a rather common plot element--used in such wonderful movies as HIS GIRL Friday and THE AWFUL TRUTH. I could let this go and just enjoy. Which camp you fall into might just determine whether this movie is for you.The film begins with Loretta Young on stage at the end of a performance. She announces that she and her playwright husband (March) are retiring. It seems that they have long talked about giving it all up once they made a fortune and moving to a farm. The trouble is that March has suddenly changed his mind and he never bothered to tell his wife!! And, when he mentions that he has just written ANOTHER play and wants her to star in it, she walks out and gets a divorce.Again and again, March connives to get Young back, though it mostly seems because he wants her in the new play and not because he really loves her. My wife was yelling at the television at these points--calling March a "schmuck" and advising Young not to believe his lies! Well, being a Hollywood film, the ending was not too unexpected. However, I was delighted how well it was handled. Once Young remarried but before she could consummate the marriage, March did some truly amazing things to prevent this. You have to see it to believe it, but the whole thing is rather reminiscent of the stateroom scene from A NIGHT AT THE OPERA.Funny and charming--I really liked this film and think my wife is wrong. Fortunately, she rarely reads my reviews and so I'm probably not "in the doghouse"--unless someone would tell her. Can you please keep it a secret folks?!

jotix100 "Bedtime Story" is an enjoyable comedy with a plot that seems to have been borrowed from other, most successful films. This 1941 Columbia release is fun to watch because it is seldom seen and the brilliant cast that was put together for it. Frederic March and Loretta Young are wonderful as the sparring Drakes, a theatrical couple, at the center of the story. The Broadway scene of the times is captured in the film.Alexander Hall directed this stylish comedy with sure hand. Mr. Hall got excellent performances all around, especially of the two principals. Frederic March was at the height of his movie career and he shows why he was one of the best actors working in films at the time. Loretta Young also has some wonderful moments in the film as the suffering wife of Luke Drake, the playwright of the moment.As with other comedies of that period, the supporting cast in "Bedtime Story" shows some accomplished actors of the caliber of Eve Arden, Allyn Joslyn, Helen Westley, and Joyce Compton, among others.The film will delight classic movie fans.