This pretty much forgotten film is actually one of the brightest and most charming of the comedies from pre-1950s Hollywood.
The real star here -- despite the billing -- is Charles Coburn. His performance as a tycoon who goes out among the little people to learn who hung him in effigy is just wonderful...as was understood in 1941 when this role garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Coburn is a long-time favorite character actor of mine, and this probably my favorite role of his. If a man can glow, he does here! Jean Arthur, the real star of the movie (and the co-producer) is even more likable here than she usually was; not as spunky and a bit more subtle. She has a brief scene on the beach when she explains her love for Robert Cummings, and it's really quite touching.
Robert Cummings is very good as the labor activist. His part borders on comedy/drama...and I think most people forget that Cummings (as demonstrated in a couple of Hitchcock films) was an excellent dramatic actor.
Edmund Gwenn always makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Right? Well, not here. He's the bad guy -- the supervisor in the the department store. A refreshing change for him.
Spring Byington is simply charming here as a salesperson who has her eye on Charles Coburn. I always enjoy seeing her in any film, and this part is more substantial than most she was in.
I would guess that S.Z. Sakall was a bit disappointed with his role as butler. Not much significance to the part.
A question that arose in my mind as I was watching this again was: is this really a comedy. And the answer is yes, yet there are many elements of drama in the film, as well. And perhaps that is another reason why this is such a good film. There's a blending of comedy and drama here that is nigh on irresistible. If they had made this movie a farce, it wouldn't be a very satisfying film. There's enough reality to here to have some empathy for the characters and their individual plights.
Very highly recommended, and deserving of a place on your DVD shelf.
The real star here -- despite the billing -- is Charles Coburn. His performance as a tycoon who goes out among the little people to learn who hung him in effigy is just wonderful...as was understood in 1941 when this role garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Coburn is a long-time favorite character actor of mine, and this probably my favorite role of his. If a man can glow, he does here! Jean Arthur, the real star of the movie (and the co-producer) is even more likable here than she usually was; not as spunky and a bit more subtle. She has a brief scene on the beach when she explains her love for Robert Cummings, and it's really quite touching.
Robert Cummings is very good as the labor activist. His part borders on comedy/drama...and I think most people forget that Cummings (as demonstrated in a couple of Hitchcock films) was an excellent dramatic actor.
Edmund Gwenn always makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Right? Well, not here. He's the bad guy -- the supervisor in the the department store. A refreshing change for him.
Spring Byington is simply charming here as a salesperson who has her eye on Charles Coburn. I always enjoy seeing her in any film, and this part is more substantial than most she was in.
I would guess that S.Z. Sakall was a bit disappointed with his role as butler. Not much significance to the part.
A question that arose in my mind as I was watching this again was: is this really a comedy. And the answer is yes, yet there are many elements of drama in the film, as well. And perhaps that is another reason why this is such a good film. There's a blending of comedy and drama here that is nigh on irresistible. If they had made this movie a farce, it wouldn't be a very satisfying film. There's enough reality to here to have some empathy for the characters and their individual plights.
Very highly recommended, and deserving of a place on your DVD shelf.