This is a film that will have you meowing from delight from the moment you see the wild Rhubarb dealing with dogs on the golf course in this very funny baseball comedy that had it been made ten years later by Disney would not have been as good. They made similar types of comedies but seem sitcom like in comparison to this completely original film that is a true fancy feast. The human counterparts in this film pale in comparison to the wild feline who likes to steal golf balls and keeps them under paw and nail but marriage to be tamed by eccentric millionaire Gene Lockhart who decides to leave his fortune to his cat rather than his nasty, selfish daughter (Elsie Holmes) who would you anyting to get rid of her rival for what she believes she is entitled to.
Custody of Rhubarb is left in the hands of Lockhart's pal Ray Milland whose fiance Jan Sterling unfortunately turns out to be allergic to Rhubarb. That means she cannot attend the games and sit with custodian Milland and this is not there when Holmes viciously tries to smother the cat (or worse), making her the live-action Cruella Deville of the cat trade. Being caught however does not end Holmes' schemes, ultimately leading into involvement with the mob.
William Frawley, a huge fan of baseball, appeared in many baseball films over the years and along with the same year's "The Lemon Drop Kid", adds some sparkle to this film in the very same year he started his long run as Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy". Gene Lockhart in his bit-part will steal your heart, and having played a variety of characters both vicious and kindly, gives one of his biggest heart performances ever. TV veterans Madge Blake, Billie Bird and Sandra gold are recognizable in amusing walk-on's. Special credit goes to the script writers who keep this moving although there are brief plot elements that slow it down but only for a short period of time.
You'll be hissing at Holmes from the minute she appears but indeed she does make a fascinating villainous. It's great to see Milland in a lighter role, having spent the past couple years playing drunks, chisler's and even the Devil Himself. Sterling, Oscar nominated for the same year's "Ace in the Hole", is very funny in a part that does not require her to be really tough but simply loyal to the man she's engaged to even if that means sneezing every time she's around his lucky charm. As for the leading man itself, two paws up to Rhubarb who get special billing in the film and Steele's the show, not to mention the baseballs and golf balls. The ending has a surprise that will have classic movie fans purring in joy.
Custody of Rhubarb is left in the hands of Lockhart's pal Ray Milland whose fiance Jan Sterling unfortunately turns out to be allergic to Rhubarb. That means she cannot attend the games and sit with custodian Milland and this is not there when Holmes viciously tries to smother the cat (or worse), making her the live-action Cruella Deville of the cat trade. Being caught however does not end Holmes' schemes, ultimately leading into involvement with the mob.
William Frawley, a huge fan of baseball, appeared in many baseball films over the years and along with the same year's "The Lemon Drop Kid", adds some sparkle to this film in the very same year he started his long run as Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy". Gene Lockhart in his bit-part will steal your heart, and having played a variety of characters both vicious and kindly, gives one of his biggest heart performances ever. TV veterans Madge Blake, Billie Bird and Sandra gold are recognizable in amusing walk-on's. Special credit goes to the script writers who keep this moving although there are brief plot elements that slow it down but only for a short period of time.
You'll be hissing at Holmes from the minute she appears but indeed she does make a fascinating villainous. It's great to see Milland in a lighter role, having spent the past couple years playing drunks, chisler's and even the Devil Himself. Sterling, Oscar nominated for the same year's "Ace in the Hole", is very funny in a part that does not require her to be really tough but simply loyal to the man she's engaged to even if that means sneezing every time she's around his lucky charm. As for the leading man itself, two paws up to Rhubarb who get special billing in the film and Steele's the show, not to mention the baseballs and golf balls. The ending has a surprise that will have classic movie fans purring in joy.