User Reviews

I was looking at the Citadel Film series book The Films of Fredric March while watching Bedtime Story and the author there makes the point that this seemed to be something that might have been originally designed for Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. That might be the case, but I doubt even those two could have done as good a job as Fredric March and Loretta Young did in this film.

March and Young both knew how to play comedy and well, despite both of them primarily known for drama. With something like Nothing Sacred among March's best films who would doubt that? As for Loretta, she's every bit as sparkling as Irene Dunne at her best.

To make the analogy complete, there's even a Ralph Bellamy part in this film, ably done by Allyn Joslyn. In fact in many ways Joslyn's the best thing in the film.

The lead characters seem to me to be based on that noted theatrical couple, playwright Charles MacArthur and actress Helen Hayes. The film begins with Loretta Young taking a curtain call and giving a farewell to the theater. She and her hubby want to settle down and enjoy life. But Loretta should have suspected something when March wasn't around to take the bow with her.

Good reason because that isn't March's idea at all. In fact he's written a new play for his wife, but she wants nothing to do with it. She's made her mind up and that breaks them apart. And good old Allyn Joslyn, stuffy banker in the Ralph Bellamy tradition, is ready on the rebound. He catches her all right, but the game isn't over, not from March's point of view.

Bedtime Story starts out a little slow, but really makes up for it in the end. That final scene as the newly married Joslyn and Young are trying to get down to business is absolutely hysterical. The situations are funny enough, but Joslyn's reactions are what really put it over. It's something borrowed from A Night At The Opera.

In fact I spotted elements from The Awful Truth, His Girl Friday, and Twentieth Century as well as the Marx Brothers classic. And producer B.P. Schulberg and director Alexander Hall make it all work.

Rounding out the cast in familiar type cast parts are Helen Westley, Robert Benchley, Eve Arden, Joyce Compton and Grady Sutton. You just mention those names and any devoted film buff can tell you exactly what they played.

I'm surprised Bedtime Story isn't rated higher by fans of both leads. It's a real gem of a screwball comedy, don't miss it.

"Bedtime Story" is an enjoyable comedy with a plot that seems to have been borrowed from other, most successful films. This 1941 Columbia release is fun to watch because it is seldom seen and the brilliant cast that was put together for it. Frederic March and Loretta Young are wonderful as the sparring Drakes, a theatrical couple, at the center of the story. The Broadway scene of the times is captured in the film.

Alexander Hall directed this stylish comedy with sure hand. Mr. Hall got excellent performances all around, especially of the two principals. Frederic March was at the height of his movie career and he shows why he was one of the best actors working in films at the time. Loretta Young also has some wonderful moments in the film as the suffering wife of Luke Drake, the playwright of the moment.

As with other comedies of that period, the supporting cast in "Bedtime Story" shows some accomplished actors of the caliber of Eve Arden, Allyn Joslyn, Helen Westley, and Joyce Compton, among others.

The film will delight classic movie fans.

All the previous commenters are right: you'll find some things to like here. Exactly which things they are will depend on what you're hoping for. I think Fredric March is terrific as Luke, for the same reason other folks didn't enjoy him so much -- he's not what you're expecting, perhaps because his buttoned-down good looks make a great foil for his deviousness. Here, in mid-career, March's role is the kind Harrison Ford occasionally takes to lighten up. Benchley's Benchley (that's a plus) and Eve Arden has a great turn as an actress who must absorb withering directorial scorn for no good reason. Loretta Young is where this potentially fizzy movie goes flat in spots. She's ladylike to a fault.

After I saw this movie on TCM I decided it must've been written as a Powell-Loy vehicle -- theirs is the kind of chemistry that would've put more zip in this script. But March's performance is a treat.

Bedtime Story (1941)

*** (out of 4)

Delightful and often times hysterical comedy about a playwrite (Fredric March) who will stop at nothing to get his actress wife (Loretta Young) out of retirement to star in his latest play. The story might be typical for this type of comedy but the incredible cast really makes this one of the most memorable films of its type. March is downright brilliant as the obsessed writer who puts his play over his wife. March keeps his serious tone throughout the film but the way he makes it a tad bit lighter than we typically see just shows what a great actor he was. Young is also perfect in her role, which requires her to be funny and even dramatic during a few scenes. The chemistry between March and Young is wonderful and they make for a terrific duo. Robert Benchley, Allyn Joslyn and Helen Westley add great support and make the film even more funny. The film ends on a hysterical note as a riot breaks out in a motel room, which features just about everything you could imagine.

Fredric March is credible as a great playwright. Loretta Young, whom I love, is somewhat less so as his actress wife. Young was indeed a good actress but I don't quite buy her as the toast of Broadway.

The plot is reminiscent of "The Awful Truth." However, if it's difficult to imagine going from Cary Grant to Ralph Bellamy, imagine going from March to Allyn Joslyn! Young's character does it, though.

The Joslyn character is treated no less shabbily than had been (in many movies) the Bellamy. But there is a touch of hostility in it, or so I felt. He is not presented as gay, exactly. But he is a prissy creep.

Joyce Compton, of "The Awful Truth," turns up, as does Robert Benchley. Benchley isn't given much of a part. Of the supporting players, Eve Arden is given the juiciest role. She is delightful.

Everything is right about the production except for one thing: It seems forced. Chic -- but forced.

For the most part, "Bedtime Story" is a piece of light-hearted fluff, pleasant enough, often amusing and sometimes downright funny. The last 15 minutes or so, in fact, are downright hilarious. It features a couple of very good leads in Fredric March and Loretta Young, and a good supporting cast alongside them. It's an enjoyable watch, with only one exception that hung over me all the way through and prevents me from saying that I found this to be a truly good movie: for a light-hearted comedy, March's character of Paul Drake came across as too manipulative and self-serving most of the way through to be really likable, and somewhere along the way - especially in a comedy - you have to be able to develop some warmth for the main characters; some sense that you like them and care about them. Young's Jane Drake you feel that for, because of course she's the one who has to put up with Paul's manipulative, self-serving ways, but Paul never came across to me as sympathetic.

The Drake's are a theatre couple - Paul a playwright and Jane his leading actress. They've been very successful, but as the movie opens we discover in a closing curtain call speech from Jane that they've decided to retire and leave the theatre behind while they're still young enough to enjoy life. They've bought a farm in Connecticut and the show is over. But Paul has had second thoughts, and the rest of the movie basically details the various ways in which Paul tries to manipulate Jane into changing her mind. Some of the story is funny, yes, but I just did not find Paul likable. A good performance from March (and from Young) but I had no sense of connectedness with the character. Mind you, the last 15 minutes of this are truly quite hilarious. Jane has remarried, and Paul has come up with all sorts of ways to disrupt their wedding night in the forlorn hope that he'll be able to win Jane back. It's a good culmination to the movie, and in the end Paul doesn't get what he wants, although he does get good news - which is perhaps the best ending possible for the character.

This is enjoyable enough. Not great, but worth watching. (6/10)

"Bedtime Story" is a quasi-screwball comedy from 1941 that stars Frederic March, Loretta Young, Robert Benchley, Alan Josslyn, and Eve Arden. It's a little miscast but manages to be entertaining.

March and Young play theatrical couple Luke and Jane Drake. He's a playwright and she's a great actress. Jane is planning to retire to a farm she and Luke have bought, and the two plan to spend time doing something besides work. Well, that's what Jane is planning. When she finds out Luke has written another play, she goes ballistic and leaves him. The separation doesn't last long.

Jane comes back, but she discovers that Luke has sold the farm and is putting the money into a new play. She leaves again. For the rest of the film, Luke attempts to win her back by any means necessary. He hires a comedienne (Eve Arden) to pretend to be doing the lead in the play and then in front of Jane, she quits, and Luke "cancels" the show. Things like that. Meanwhile, Jane's engagement to a banker (Josslyn) has been announced.

Cute comedy that becomes a complete free-for-all at the end and is slightly miscast. I say slightly because these two stars are just fine. Young is impossibly beautiful, with gorgeous clothes, and she acquits herself well, as does March as her manipulative playwright husband. With Powell and Loy, however, this could have been fabulous. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, Joel McCrea and Jean Arthur. Light comedy was not March's forte, and although Young did light comedy, she wasn't as sharp at it as the other actresses mentioned.

This is interesting casting, a little against type, which I'm all for, but it doesn't really come off. Excellent work by Helen Westley as a tell it like it is actress and Eve Arden.

I caught this on Turner Classic Movies, at a time when most of the truly different and interesting films are shown: in the middle of the night. This movie is about as good a light comedy as you'll ever see. The writing is exceptional, keeping the pace flowing and featuring often sparkling dialog. The acting is superb. Loretta Young again shows her broad dimensions as an actress, here being sophisticated, worldly, and wise. Not the farmer's daughter. Frederic March is perfect as the actor-playwright who is constantly devising plans to persuade his wife to end her retirement and star in his new play. And the character actors are just right, especially Eve Arden. Even Robert Benchley fits in well here. The director deserved an Academy Award for his flawless control of the story. In short, this is a delightful film that adults won't want to miss. In a just world, this would out in DVD.

Some wonderful actors are a lot of fun in a curiously unengaging screwball comedy. The cast is a great one: Fredric March and Loretta Young in the leads, with Robert Benchley, Eve Arden, the unfortunately forgotten Allyn Joslyn and Joyce Compton as a blonde bimbo. It has some wonderful comedic moments -- the one where Young orders Westley to sit down and play the piano is priceless. However, the whole thing never quite gels.

Perhaps it is because of the theatrical background of the story: March gives one of his few miscalculated performances. It is impossible to tell when his character is being sincere and when his character is trying to manipulate the other characters. When he is in full blown theatrical mode, as in THE ROYAL FAMILY OF Broadway, he is hilarious. When he he plays a small-time chiseler, as in NOTHING SACRED, he is hilarious. Perhaps it is because there seems to be no chemistry between him and Young. It is appropriate to their characters' relationship in the movie, but it is not, very interesting. And that pretty well describes this movie. Watch it for the moments, but not for the movie.

Popular dramatic starlet on the Broadway stage announces her retirement and plans to move to a Connecticut farm with her playwright husband; he has other ideas...and a great new play waiting in the wings. Romantic complications and screwball shenanigans featuring two stars (Fredric March and Loretta Young) who are very charming though very grounded. One doesn't quite believe March as this comically half-crazed writer trying to keep his marriage and his project afloat, nor Young as a youthful, beautiful actress eager to permanently put her successes behind her. It doesn't really jell, and the large amounts of money we're told about--flowing freely from one wallet to the next--is perplexing; instead of anticipating the happy ending, we're left wondering who's footing the bill for all this. Production values high, supporting cast (including great sidekick Robert Benchley and scene-stealer Eve Arden) first-rate. The stars themselves work well together, yet this vehicle doesn't feel tailored to their personalities (March's, in particular), turning a friendly comedy into a rather lumpy one. ** from ****

I discovered Bedtime Story this morning on TCM quite by accident, and I couldn't have been more pleased. This is one of the most well-written, intelligent, marvelously-acted films I've ever seen, and I'm a devoted fan of old films; I'm always hoping to run across a wonderful film that I've never seen or heard of before, and Bedtime Story fit this criteria perfectly.

Loretta Young and Fredric March have such sparkling chemistry together, and I was most impressed by March's comedic acting ability, as I've always associated him with great dramatic parts; to me, he always brought a kind of gravitas to the roles that I associated him with, so this was a pleasurable comedic turn to watch. The supporting cast was equally good, with the delightfully funny Robert Benchley and a sly Eve Arden injecting real energy into their parts.

I rated this film a "9", but if I find myself enjoying it as much on repeated viewings, I might easily up that score to a personal "10", but I usually reserve 10's for what I consider "important" or groundbreaking films, or those which define a genre. For me, a "9" is a thoroughly enjoyable film that I would watch again and again, a film which gives me considerable pleasure. Don't miss it!

The title may have sounded cutesy, but there are many instances in classic film of comedy and romance mixing well and being great as films for the genres and overall. The type of comedy in 'Bedtime Story' is one of my favourite types, sophistication, wit and knockabout have all been done wonderfully many times. The premise sounded interesting and it is hard to go wrong with the likes of Fredric March (though associate him more with drama), Loretta Young and Eve Arden.

'Bedtime Story' doesn't completely work and it was hard to not expect better considering the calibre of the cast. It is much wittier, cleverer and more interesting than its cutesy title suggests and is an enjoyable film. One that starts off unsure, taking time to find its footing and did find myself mixed personally on one performance. But from the middle act onwards it is much better and pretty much exactly as one expects reading the premise and more.

As said, 'Bedtime Story' is a slow starter with a not so crisp pace and the tone not feeling fully settled, so there is a fairly plain and unsure feeling at first.

March was a bit inconsistent to me. He does get much better and more comfortable later on when the material got better, meaning that his comic timing had a lighter and more tasteful touch. At first though he did struggle making a very caddish character likeable or amusing, almost a bit on the cruel side.

However, 'Bedtime Story' is handsomely filmed and has a stylish look. The script crackles in its sharp sophisticated wit in its best parts, so primarily in the second half, with little bland or lifeless in the dialogue. Really liked the interplay between Luke and Jane, though wouldn't have said no to more acid sharp one liners for Arden. The story takes a while to find its footing, but when it does it is very entertaining and charming with an absolutely hilarious ending. One of the funniest endings for any recently seen film for me.

Direction lets 'Bedtime Story' go at a snappy yet also controlled pace on the most part and the cast are very strong. March disappoints at first but gets a lot better, while Young is a radiant delight and their chemistry has real charm and spark to it. Robert Benchley's role is a bit too small but he is highly amusing with what he has, while Arden can do no wrong and fits her tailor made character like a glove. Allyn Joslyn's reactions and expressions to all the wonderfully silly situations are quite priceless.

In summary, not great to begin with but wins one over by the end. 7/10

BEDTIME STORY is an uneven comedy with screwball touches for the slapstick finale which seems like something out of a Marx Bros. comedy. Although the cast is good, the script is all over the place between comedy, drama and screwball nonsense as it tells a non-too-convincing story about a show biz couple torn between the wife's retirement and the playwright's ambitions.

The manipulating role that March plays would have been perfect for a lighter comedian such as Cary Grant. March is much too saturnine in nature to be believable in a romp such as this, only occasionally giving his character a deft touch. Allyn Joslyn, on the other hand, proves himself a genius at light comedy, easily walking off with many of the film's best moments.

Loretta Young acquits herself believably and well in the role of a wife who is fed up with the manipulations of her husband to get her back on the stage. Eve Arden, Robert Benchley and Helen Westley offer fine support but the end result is a formula comedy with mixed results.

Fredric March, although a fine actor, is out of his element here in a role that could have seemed more likable if played by Cary Grant or Ray Milland. His wild schemes to prevent his wife from marrying another man are often on the mean-spirited side and March doesn't have the light enough touch to make his character sympathetic.

This picture had a lot going for it; a good cast, good supporting cast, fairly good story and direction. But several reviewers have already mentioned the miscasting of Frederic March, who was one our best actors, in a role for which he was unsuited - because he's just not funny. He lacks Cary Grant's facial expressions and air of controlled hysteria, and comes off in some scenes as forcing the issue of humor.

Have you seen "Les Miserables" or "The Best Years Of Our Lives"? There was March at his considerable best. Or "Inherit The Wind". Here, he does his level best in a thankless role as a selfish playwright married to Loretta Young, who is gorgeous as his celebrated actress/ wife. The story itself is OK but becomes tiresome before the madcap, slambang ending which saves the day.

As mentioned, the support cast was good but wasted - not enough screen time for Robert Benchley and Eve Arden, who appears here in a straight role without her sarcastic darts. Hard to figure how you can waste Eve Arden. A good, entertaining movie which could have been much better.

Whatever you may think about this movie as it goes along, most will agree that the ending is absolutely hilarious -- Fredric March working his one-man phone bank from the lobby directing havoc to his wife's room. I personally don't see any good reason to compare this one with others that may be similar or with actors who have routinely made this type of film. This is a standalone film these actors made and I think they did it well. Fredric March is always a good actor, and he was convincing with what he had to do here. His earnest straight face in itself was more than amusing as he performed his chicanery throughout. Loretta Young is always beautiful, extremely well costumed and generally ladylike and can be enjoyed for those reasons. Additionally, unless prejudiced, one would have to admit that, despite her very strong beauty, she is a more than competent actress. She's the first to receive both an Oscar and an Emmy, with many, many other acting awards along the way of her extensive career. During that span, she has played a wide variety of characters and types. She especially enjoyed her long-running television program because she could vary her roles. This is a good movie.

The title for this movie is lame, but the Columbia Pictures folks probably couldn't come up with anything else to describe it better. "Bedtime Story" is the title of the last play that the male lead is working on in the movie. The movie is a very sophisticated comedy-romance and love story. And it has the perfect match of male and female leads in Fredric March and Loretta Young -- Hollywood's best of the time.

March plays Luke Drake, the leading Broadway playwright, producer and director of the day. Loretta plays his wife, Jane, who is the leading lady of Broadway at the time. They have been married for seven years. She wants to call it quits and settle down, as they had agreed when they were married. He is a driven playwright, with new ideas and inspirations that come like running water. He has no intention of quitting the theater.

The story plays out with Jane seeking a divorce, Luke constantly tricking her back, and some wonderful scenes from their romance over the years. These include furnishing their apartment piece by piece - having to eat lots of hamburgers, Luke says. They have two devoted servants who are distraught over their split. Robert Benchley has the role of Luke's right hand man and a best friend of the couple, Eddie Turner. Other very good supporting roles include Eve Arden as Virginia Cole and Helen Westley as Emma Harper.

This is a comedy loaded with funny and witty dialog and clever shenanigans. The script masterfully weaves Luke's plotting and conniving into their everyday lives. There's a delightful aspect of mystery that isn't apparent but is a surprise caveat to the deep love the two have. Their mutual affection is so apparent that it's ridiculous to think Jane could see anything at all in an avid pursuing suitor. Especially William Dudley, whom Allyn Joslyn plays very well.

This is a wonderful, fun film that most movie buffs should enjoy. But, it takes one's close attention to catch many subtleties and everything it offers, for full enjoyment. Two of Hollywood's great stars and Oscar winners deliver a delicious movie here. It's very clear in March's performance especially, why he was one of the greatest actors of all time. His glances and facial expressions are hilarious. Luke Drake isn't supposed to be a comic, and he's so deadpan with his ornery conniving, that one just can't wait until he gets his comeuppance.

The ending is one of the funniest, craziest scenes of mayhem to end any film. Here are some favorite lines from this great film.

Jane Drake, "But we're giving a farewell party at our apartment. Why don't you join us?" William Dudley, "But that's for your theater friends." Eddie Turner, "Oh, they're broadminded. They don't mind bankers." Dudley, "Thanks, but I can't risk it."

Emma Harper, "The idea that you have to leave the theater to have children. Why, I raised four children and never missed a cue." Jane Drake, "My dear Emma, you were not married to Luke Drake. You wouldn't have had time to raise a canary."

Luke Drake, "And I love her enough not to let her throw her genius away. That's the way I feel about her and that's the way I expect her to feel about me." Eddie Turner, "You won't toss your genius away, don't worry."

Luke Drake, "I tell you, Eddie, she's gone, and something's gone out of me. I'm through. I'll never set foot in a theater again."

Luke Drake takes a call from a reporter, "Hello, Kitty.... Well I hate to talk about it. I'm pretty broken up about the whole thing.... I don't how to put it." Eddie Turner, "Something has gone out of you." Luke, holds his hand over the phone and turns to Eddie, "Get out of here. And don't come back until you bring me an Elsie." Eddie, "A hundred and 18 pounder?" Luke, "Right. Get me a full-blown blonde." He resumes his phone conversation, "Hello, Kitty, uh, let me put it this way - uh, something has gone out of me."

Luke, "Isn't there anything you can suggest about my helplessness?" Jane, "I'm sorry, Luke - it's too ingrown."

Eddie Turner, "That's the trouble with doors - anyone can come in."

Luke, "I want you to pretend you're gonna play it, but you don't." Virginia Cole, "Look, Lucifer, I realize you're a genius, but I'm not, so give it to me simple."

Jane, "And you're so talented." Virginia Cole, "Thank you. So are you. Many is the time I cried at your performance." Jane, "Ah, ha, I've laughed a lot at you, so that makes us even."

Jane Drake, "I thought you'd like to know, I'm selling the furniture." Luke Drake, "You mean our things?" Jane, "Yes." Luke, "Oh, listen, you can't do that. Just think of all the hamburgers I ate to buy some of those things. If you lay them all end to end..." Jane, "I'm not interested in laying hamburgers end to end."

Jane, "Sold! Sold! Sold! Everything is sold to Dinglehoff. I wouldn't have minded so much if it hadn't been a man named Dinglehoff."

Luke, "Don't look now, Eddie, but I think that's William Dudley going bye-bye."

Luke, "Just leave it to King Lucius the First. Lucius the Conqueror." Eddie Turner, "We should have brought our armor, Conk."

Mac, the policeman, "Hey, Eddie. Keep out of Billy's place tonight. We're raiding it." Eddie Turner, "Billy's? What's that got to do with me?" Mac, "Oh, that wouldn't be your grandfather they pour out of there every other morning, would it?"

Eddie, "Why don't we just get a nice little cell and make faces at each other, huh?"

Emma Harper, "Where's he going?" Eddie Turner, "California. Didn't you hear him borrow a nickel?"

Sweeter than everyone (but decide for yourself when you read her bio), loretta young stars as jane drake, stage actress. She's married to playwright luke (fredric march), who also promises to give up writing. But its a love hate relationship... aren't they all? They love each other, they trick each other, in this comedy tragedy, divorce romp. Lots of fun characters show up.. eve arden, richard clute, robert benchley, allyn joslyn. We even see the fun bit from "night at the opera", where they cram as many workers as possible into one rooms. Marx brothers did that gag back in 1935! You'll notice that there's no mention of war, since the release of this had been delayed until just after the attack on pearl harbor. It's pretty funny, mostly due to the big names in it. Directed by alex hall, who was nominated for mister jordan.

March is manchild and a bit of a male chauvinist as playwright Luke Drake.

Young as Jane his actress/wife is glamorous and upright, that the play off their characters contrasting personalities is great.

Add to the story a new beau for Jane played by the funny and cute Allyn Joselyn.

Best friend/assistant for Luke, Robert Benchley, Eve Arden, Helen Westley and Joyce Compton as actresses in Luke's play, and what a romp it becomes. March in some reviews on here didn't get his due...he is so entertaining, in fact he can do comedy just as easily as drama. The chemistry between March and Young is certainly there, adds to the dramatic scenes beautifully. This is a sometimes sad, mostly funny beautifully acted and produced film. Don't miss it!