Three Blind Mice

A romantic comedy from the thirties, which has everything to be an example of the genre, that marked the era and still delights movie lovers today.

A worthy cast, led by Joel McCrea, a regular presence in the screwball comedies of the thirties, Loretta Young, an actress well suited to her character, and David Niven, then the eternal secondary British gentleman, who would only later rise, with full rights, to the leading role, especially in British cinema.

There's also a plot with potential, with three provincial goldiggers looking for husbands, falling in love with the wrong men.

However, the result clearly falls short of the sum of the parts. It lacks pace, direction, events rush without being properly matured, the story seems to be told in a hurry, without giving the viewer time to gain empathy for some of the characters.

It is however a pleasant entertainment, for those who appreciate the genre, from a good harvest, but it lacks the genius, the brilliance and the humor of the best screwball comedies, where the skeleton of the farce, well written and constructed, sustains the whole.

Three Blind Mice is a story that's been put to film too many times to count or keep track of. The three leads here are Young, McCrea, and Niven, all solid performers who I generally enjoy. However, despite their likeability I almost feel like they're miscast here. This screwball comedy is fine but what it likes is the screwy/zanniness of the genre, it just isn't silly enough. Sure, some of that is due to the direction but I think Young, as good as she is, is the weak link with this specific material. The film for me does pick up a bit with the entry of Binnie Barnes as Niven's sister. She has the comedic chops and timing this project needs, unfortunately she arrives a little too late into the proceedings. Still, despite its shortcomings The Blind Mice does come together favorably in the last third to make it a pleasant enough watch.

The three "Charters" sisters are avidly awaiting the news of their inheritance from their recently deceased aunt. $5,800-odd dollars. Not enough to change anyone's life - but they hope that by putting elder sister "Pamela" (Loretta Young) forward and with sisters "Moira" (Marjorie Weaver) and "Liz" (Pauline Moore) acting as her entourage they can head to California and marry well! Their antics result in some hit and miss escapades as they alight on some gents just as bent on "gold-digging" as they are. All, that is, except for David Niven's "Harrington" who has a sort of dating double-act going with "Van Dam Smith" (Joel McCrea) and the poverty stricken "Mike" (Stuart Erwin) who'd give his last (and only) $100 to help out his gal. Can any of the girls get any of the rich guys? It's a bit too contrived and the scenarios repeat themselves a little, but we can see the beginnings of the Young/Niven rapport that went on to work well and there are a few gags that raise a smile over a quickly paced and enjoyable enough seventy-five minutes.

"Three blind mice" stars one of my favorite actors, Joel McCrea alongside charming englishman David Niven and beautiful Loretta Young. The plot bears a somewhat resemblance to "Hands across the Table" but only in the middle of the movie. The main core of it stays untouched throughout the movie: that you can fall in love with a rich man just as easily as with a poor one. And that's true. You are not in control of your feelings and emotions when it comes to love. When you find that someone you want to spend every minute of your life with, nothing matters anymore.

Joel is one talented actor who can pull out any role he's given and he demonstrates it brilliantly in this one. I've seen David mostly in supporting roles and he surely acts out the most of them, as he does here too. But a pleasant surprise for me was Loretta who was so charmingly gorgeous everytime I saw her face on screen.

Sometimes we're lost. Sometimes we don't know where to go and what to do. Sometimes we're like blind mice that don't see a thing when it's right in front of our noses. This is a good romantic comedy and I would love to watch it again, given that it's only 75 minutes long. Time flies when we're young... or in love.

Darryl F. Zanuck used to take half of one film and half of another and make a new movie. Hard to say how many times three women looking for millionaire husbands was remade. Moon Over Miami, Three Little Girls in Blue, Three Coins in a Fountain etc. Etc. Etc.

This film from 1938 stars Loretta Young, Joel McCrea, David Niven, Stuart Erwin, Marjorie Weaver, Pauline Moore, Binnie Barnes, and Jane Darwell.

Pamela, Moira, and Elizabeth Charters inherit a total of $5800 from an aunt, the equivalent of $113,000 today. In preparation for this inheritance, Pamela (Young) practices being the grand dame, while Marjorie practices being a maid, and Elizabeth a secretary/companion.

Money in hand, they leave the chicken farm and head for California, where Pamela wearing a splendid wardrobe sets up housekeeping in an expensive hotel. It's probably based on the Bevery Hills Hotel, since they're staying in a bungalow.

Pamela meets two well-heeled gentlemen immediately, and they both are crazy about her - Van Dam Smith (McCrea) and Steve Harrington (Niven) escort her everywhere, each scheming to be alone with her. Moira meantime is flirting with one of the employees (Erwin).

Out of money, it's time for Pamela to press the point with Van Dam. Things don't work out as planned.

The performances are all very good, with Binnie Barnes a standout as Niven's eccentric and earthy sister. Young, eye-poppingly beautiful, wears a stunning assortment of gowns.

Charming and fun film. Even if you have seen it a dozen times. The cast is wonderful.