Wide Open (1930)
** (out of 4)
Bizarre comedy about a man named Simon (Edward Everett Horton) who lives in fear of women, which has somewhat turned into a hatred of them. His lifestyle is certainly cramped when Julia (Patsy Ruth Miller) enters his house and refuses to leave no matter what he tries. At first Simon hates everything that's going on but soon he's "wide open" to falling in love. WIDE OPEN isn't a film that made me laugh and I think even at 69-minutes it goes on way too long but at the same time it's just so strange and unique that you almost have to recommend it to film buffs. I think most people are going to be intrigued by the film because of the two stars. Horton will be remembered to some film buffs for her supporting roles so it's quite rare to get to see him in the lead. Miller will always be best remembered for her role in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and this here was filmed shortly before her retirement. The two of them ended up making five films together in a short period of time so clearly people enjoyed their comic abilities. When viewed today I personally found it to be quite annoying on one hand. Horton actually delivers a good performance playing this guy but he's almost too good because of how badly he gets on your nerves. This includes his character constantly talking fast, trying to say one thing but saying something wrong and then quickly having to go back and correct himself. I admit that I found it amusing how the actor could keep up with all of this dialogue but it still didn't make me laugh. Miller is charming in her role but the screenplay really doesn't give her too much to do. Louise Fazenda has a small role and is quite memorable.
** (out of 4)
Bizarre comedy about a man named Simon (Edward Everett Horton) who lives in fear of women, which has somewhat turned into a hatred of them. His lifestyle is certainly cramped when Julia (Patsy Ruth Miller) enters his house and refuses to leave no matter what he tries. At first Simon hates everything that's going on but soon he's "wide open" to falling in love. WIDE OPEN isn't a film that made me laugh and I think even at 69-minutes it goes on way too long but at the same time it's just so strange and unique that you almost have to recommend it to film buffs. I think most people are going to be intrigued by the film because of the two stars. Horton will be remembered to some film buffs for her supporting roles so it's quite rare to get to see him in the lead. Miller will always be best remembered for her role in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and this here was filmed shortly before her retirement. The two of them ended up making five films together in a short period of time so clearly people enjoyed their comic abilities. When viewed today I personally found it to be quite annoying on one hand. Horton actually delivers a good performance playing this guy but he's almost too good because of how badly he gets on your nerves. This includes his character constantly talking fast, trying to say one thing but saying something wrong and then quickly having to go back and correct himself. I admit that I found it amusing how the actor could keep up with all of this dialogue but it still didn't make me laugh. Miller is charming in her role but the screenplay really doesn't give her too much to do. Louise Fazenda has a small role and is quite memorable.