There's a dated brand of comedy that doesn't hold up very well, and when given to audience's in more than small doses, people either love them or hate them. For me, I could laugh at Billy Gilbert's slow coming sneeze or Edgar Kennedy's slow burn. I tolerated Roscoe Ates' stutter. I cringe at the mention of El Brendl in the credits, having no toleration for his Swedish accent. I now add the heavy set Andy Devine to the list of character comics I may find issue with, his good natured stupidity barely tolerable, and absolutely horrifying to wait for when he gets above the title billing in a Universal programmer. As sidekick to a handsome hero, he was more trouble than any buddy was worth, even when he's got the best intentions coming out of that enormous heart. As the sidekick here to Richard Arlen, he's always in the way, and I'm not just referring to his girth.
This comedy thriller, coming as war in Europe began to feel it's impact in the United States, deals with issues of attempted sabotage at a steel mill, and when the plot deals with that, it's tolerable. But the domestic issues at Dorothy Vaughan's boarding house (which sets up the plot) are cloying and a good number of the characters annoying. Vaughan is the epitome of a nagging and ultra possessive mother, babying Devine so she can get what she wants. Devine and sister Peggy Moran fight like abandoned hound dogs and alley cats, yet we're supposed to believe that Moran and Arlen would fall in love. Anne Nagel, a B heroine, is the femme fatale here, cast against type. Then there's Myra McKinney as a one dimensional snoopy neighbor, making Margaret Hamilton's nosy neighbors subtle in comparison. A violent murder and a gruesome death for another character after a fight, does add on some excitement, but then Devine pops back up to put nails down the invisible chalkboard with that squeaky voice of his. I can tolerate a lot in these old B movies, but by the time this got to the important plot points, I was ready to give up. Speedy director Christy Cabanne could turn out entertaining B films back to back and provide entertaining and thrills, but I desperately needed extra strength pain killers by the time this was over.
This comedy thriller, coming as war in Europe began to feel it's impact in the United States, deals with issues of attempted sabotage at a steel mill, and when the plot deals with that, it's tolerable. But the domestic issues at Dorothy Vaughan's boarding house (which sets up the plot) are cloying and a good number of the characters annoying. Vaughan is the epitome of a nagging and ultra possessive mother, babying Devine so she can get what she wants. Devine and sister Peggy Moran fight like abandoned hound dogs and alley cats, yet we're supposed to believe that Moran and Arlen would fall in love. Anne Nagel, a B heroine, is the femme fatale here, cast against type. Then there's Myra McKinney as a one dimensional snoopy neighbor, making Margaret Hamilton's nosy neighbors subtle in comparison. A violent murder and a gruesome death for another character after a fight, does add on some excitement, but then Devine pops back up to put nails down the invisible chalkboard with that squeaky voice of his. I can tolerate a lot in these old B movies, but by the time this got to the important plot points, I was ready to give up. Speedy director Christy Cabanne could turn out entertaining B films back to back and provide entertaining and thrills, but I desperately needed extra strength pain killers by the time this was over.
