The cast includes some of the top masters of screwball comedy and is directed by the man who made BRINGING UP BABY--and yet this is not the bright and witty farce it strains to be.
Ironically, it's MARILYN MONROE, in the film's smallest role as a dimwit secretary, who steals the spotlight from CARY GRANT, GINGER ROGERS and CHARLES COBURN whenever she pops up...which isn't often enough. Superstardom was just around the corner and this film is proof that Monroe had the kind of charisma that charms even when her dialog is not that funny.
CARY GRANT does well in most of his scenes but the Indian romp with the boys is too unbelievable even for this far-fetched comic spoof. At times, he seems almost detached from his role. Poor HUGH MARLOWE looks mighty uncomfortable as a victim of the "let's play Indian" stunt. So much so, that one can only picture him wishing he was back in ALL ABOUT EVE.
GINGER ROGERS has an irritating sequence where she and Cary revisit their honeymoon hotel with disastrous results when she goes into a crying jag over the mention of her mother's name. Ginger only perks up when imitating an even more youthful version of her "Major and the Minor" role--but she is given only brief moments to shine. Coburn plays his role effortlessly and is especially amusing when referring to his secretary's lack of skills. "Anyone can type", he says of Monroe as she wriggles away.
But true wit is missing for most of the film and the laughs come at the expense of the two main stars who show a surprising lack of chemistry when thrown together.
The formula just doesn't work here. Something went wrong and it shows.
Ironically, it's MARILYN MONROE, in the film's smallest role as a dimwit secretary, who steals the spotlight from CARY GRANT, GINGER ROGERS and CHARLES COBURN whenever she pops up...which isn't often enough. Superstardom was just around the corner and this film is proof that Monroe had the kind of charisma that charms even when her dialog is not that funny.
CARY GRANT does well in most of his scenes but the Indian romp with the boys is too unbelievable even for this far-fetched comic spoof. At times, he seems almost detached from his role. Poor HUGH MARLOWE looks mighty uncomfortable as a victim of the "let's play Indian" stunt. So much so, that one can only picture him wishing he was back in ALL ABOUT EVE.
GINGER ROGERS has an irritating sequence where she and Cary revisit their honeymoon hotel with disastrous results when she goes into a crying jag over the mention of her mother's name. Ginger only perks up when imitating an even more youthful version of her "Major and the Minor" role--but she is given only brief moments to shine. Coburn plays his role effortlessly and is especially amusing when referring to his secretary's lack of skills. "Anyone can type", he says of Monroe as she wriggles away.
But true wit is missing for most of the film and the laughs come at the expense of the two main stars who show a surprising lack of chemistry when thrown together.
The formula just doesn't work here. Something went wrong and it shows.