I don't know alot about the story behind the making of this film, but I'm guessing that Stanley Kramer, who normally directed dramas, wanted to do an all-star slapstick comedy. I've seen parts of the movie when I was younger but recently watched the whole movie. Watching the movie in 2022, 60 years after it was first released, it feels like a product of its time. Dialogue and jokes seem very old fashioned and dated, such as when Buddy Hacket calls the mother-in-law character (Ethel Merman) an old bag and various other names. Mickey Rooney is cast as Hacket's best friend, but he seems really miscast among the other comedians. It was nice to see a couple of Black comedians such as Eddie Anderson but when they appear they only appear for a few seconds, sadly.
As I watched the movie I kept thinking of a better title. I thought "Greedy" might be good, since all the characters are rushing to find a stash of hidden cash before the other does.
This movie reminded me of another film I enjoyed watching on tv as a kid years ago - "Scavenger Hunt". I remember enjoying it at the time but maybe it doesn't hold up, either; will have to look for it one day.
Another review from:
Confessions of a Film Philistine
No comments:
Post a Comment