The first 30 minutes of this film are magical. It's hard to find a Christmas movie that is more charming and appealing. But in a case I can only chalk up to severe blows to the head, the film does a 180 and the plot then twists and turns too many times--leaving viewers a bit confused and disappointed that the first portion of the film was NOT indicative of where the film would go.
The film begins with three excellent character actors (Charles Winninger, C. Aubry Smith and Harry Carey, Sr.) apparently living together in New York. It's Christmas Eve and when Winninger arrives home, he insists that the other two put away their business and get down to celebrating. But, given that it's only them and their two devoted servants, it seemed a bit lonely to Winninger and he suggests they try a novel approach to procuring more guests. So, the three rich men throw wallets onto the sidewalk in the hope that honest people return them--at which point they can invite them to stay for dinner! This is all pretty cute and funny--especially when a young man and lady return the wallets. The two newcomers soon become friends with them and this is an entirely charming film up to this point.
HOWEVER, in a bizarre twist, the three old men are killed off and become ghosts AND the young man and woman develop a romance...but it's almost ruined by an evil femme fatale. All these crazy plot devices just seem weird and contrived. Plus, you really love the old guys and seeing them fly off to their deaths was just awful--plus it was telegraphed horribly when their housekeeper (Maria Ouspenskaya) tells them they shouldn't take the plane but should go by train (a SURE sign they are dead meat). The last half or more of the movie isn't all that satisfying as a result of all this weirdness and the religious message concerning death and eternal life is sure to rattle a few cages! While I rarely like remakes, this is one film that could sure use it. Keep the first half and DON'T kill the old guys and DON'T introduce the femme fatale. Then, the film would truly be a lovely holiday favorite.
The film begins with three excellent character actors (Charles Winninger, C. Aubry Smith and Harry Carey, Sr.) apparently living together in New York. It's Christmas Eve and when Winninger arrives home, he insists that the other two put away their business and get down to celebrating. But, given that it's only them and their two devoted servants, it seemed a bit lonely to Winninger and he suggests they try a novel approach to procuring more guests. So, the three rich men throw wallets onto the sidewalk in the hope that honest people return them--at which point they can invite them to stay for dinner! This is all pretty cute and funny--especially when a young man and lady return the wallets. The two newcomers soon become friends with them and this is an entirely charming film up to this point.
HOWEVER, in a bizarre twist, the three old men are killed off and become ghosts AND the young man and woman develop a romance...but it's almost ruined by an evil femme fatale. All these crazy plot devices just seem weird and contrived. Plus, you really love the old guys and seeing them fly off to their deaths was just awful--plus it was telegraphed horribly when their housekeeper (Maria Ouspenskaya) tells them they shouldn't take the plane but should go by train (a SURE sign they are dead meat). The last half or more of the movie isn't all that satisfying as a result of all this weirdness and the religious message concerning death and eternal life is sure to rattle a few cages! While I rarely like remakes, this is one film that could sure use it. Keep the first half and DON'T kill the old guys and DON'T introduce the femme fatale. Then, the film would truly be a lovely holiday favorite.