Reviews

I am a staunch fan of both Brit flicks and sitcoms, especially those of the 70s when humor was gentler. The cast of this offering was so stupendous that I urged my library to add the set to its collection, sight unseen. Unfortunately, I was led astray by the 9+ rating on IMDB at the time, as I found the premise, the script, the acting, and the humor all miserably deficient. Where are the laughs? Where is the wit? Who gives this kind of 'comedy' a high ranking...Dracula? Don't be fooled into thinking that you'll come away from viewing this with anything other than a mild depression and a lot of questions as to why such outstanding actors would have participated in something so unfunny and bland. Stick with 'Good Neighbors'!

I adore William Powell, and while this movie is not one of his best he does a fair job of portraying an unlikeable, self-centered has-been. Unfortunately, Betsy Drake fails to rise to his level, even if it isn't one of the highest of his career. It's difficult to imagine that Powell's character would look twice at someone as non-descript as Ms. Drake, with a personality akin to lukewarm oatmeal. This part would have benefitted enormously from a Barbara Stanwyck, or another actress with strength. As it is, there is no sizzle, no logical motivation for the course of action, and no empathy between leads. I hate to admit it, but I could only hang in there for 1/2 of the film, and if I couldn't watch Mr. Powell for the full length of time, I highly doubt that any but a truly crazed fan could. Give it a miss.

Despite the misleading photo, this film is about the budding romance between two attractive young actors whose faces you probably will never see again. Burns and Allen command about 10 minutes of screen time, but it is a pleasant little picture regardless. It's a nice old film, with a pretty typical old plot line, and worth a look. Just be forewarned that George and Gracie are not the leads here.

While this is pretty standard 50s western fare, it allowed Mickey Rooney to try a characterization somewhat different from his more exaggerated portrayals in the Andy Hardy series or in comedies such as The Atomic Kid. I am not a fan of westerns myself, but having been raised in the 50s, this was more than nostalgia, it was comfort viewing! Mickey and Hugh O'Brian both do competent jobs, and the supporting cast is composed of many familiar faces. If you are fed up with overt sex, out of control profanity, in-your-face violence, then this is just what you need. Gentle, entertaining, and upbeat, I recommend it for a rainy day or to unwind from a stressful one.

The Old Mother Riley series was certainly an interesting concept. Heterosexual British males really relish dressing up in drag (Dame Edith, Monty Python, Benny Hill, etc.), and this series may well have started more modern comedians on their way. Unfortunately, the films have suffered in quality over the years, and are faded or spotty. Some that I have viewed have such poor sound quality that I lost a goodly portion of the jokes as well as the plot! "Headmistress" has survived somewhat better, probably because it was towards the end of the series, but Lucan's physical comedy has become automatic and predictable in this one. Still, if you are a lover of Brit humor, as I am, you'll find this a pleasant pasttime.