El árbol del dinero

Irene Dunne and Dean Jagger are a couple with three children and tight budget. One day she purchases a couple of trees for the back yard. Soon, money begins showing up on the wind, through the bathroom window, brought in by the cat and found on the grass. It turns out that the trees are producing the money. Miss Dunne starts to spend the money.

It's a brittle fantasy directed by comedy specialist Arthur Lubin. Miss Dunne plays a sweet, feather-brained woman, while Jagger is stolid and honest. Clearly this move was intended to appeal to the nervous middle class of the period, struggling to make ends meet in the 1950s while giving their family all the things that post-war prosperity was expected to yield. Miss Dunne is impeccable in her role, while Jagger plays second banana gruffly and amiably. Like many of the comedy-fantasies of the era, alas, the satire that might have infused it at some stage of its production is weakened by its very 1950s-specific air and the character work. Even so, it's worthy of some attention because of its cast (which includes Richard Crenna in an early adult role, and Miss Dunne in her final big-screen appearance), and its inherent modesty as a programme

This movie is something dreams are made of. Wouldn't it be great if we all had money trees! If you haven't yet seen this movie, you are missing a very enjoyable 84 minute movie! This comedy has an everyday housewife who finds that two of her trees in the backyard have grown money! I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I will say no more...except, I Wish it was out in VHS or DVD. I would love to buy it!

This silly film is worth seeing for Irene Dunne devotees only -- and barely so. It's a triple stinker with a bad script, sub-par production values and the two stars -- Dunne and Jagger -- have ZERO chemistry. Did they really made children together? Doubtful. And what the heck did Dunne do to squirrel up her voice? It's shrill and jacked up higher than usual and her over-emphasis of the consonant "R" quickly wore out its welcome.

The only saving grace is the film's ending. The last minute of the film is the best minute of the whole thing. It was completely unexpected and perfectly executed. Still, it can't make up for the drudgery that came before.

Irene Dunne finished her illustrious career with this so-so movie. She should have gone out with a bang, being the classy actress she was, not in this unmemorable, almost unknown film.

This lightweight comedy is okay, but nothing special. The first half of it is far better as it gets pretty stupid in the second half. Maybe Irene could see the handwriting on the wall and quit. Even her high-pitched voice got a bit annoying in here. Rumor has it she was not happy with this film. One can see why.

The story reminded me of a 1950s television sitcom. Speaking of that, I thought David Nelson from the Ozzie & Harriet TV show was in this movie but it turned out to be a very young Richard Crenna. He looked and sounded just like Nelson.

Overall, so-so at best and a sub-par ending for a great actress.

This movie is not among her best; however, as most commentators agree, it is a delightful comedy. The device of money growing on trees is, indeed, a verbal cliché. But adapting that cliché to cinema seems highly creative to me. How many films have you seen with similar grounds for a modern cinematic fable? For that matter, how many other modern fables have the movies produced?

The device also leads to some unexpected consequences. It sets up several unforeseen complications and conflicts. It is used to contrast various characters' attitudes toward "easy money." And, it provides a vehicle for poking gentle fun at government. It has a little more satirical slant than other reviewers seem to suggest. I think that there is a little more here than meets the eye. Cliché may be the starting point of this movie, but after that the tale is surprising, original, clever and highly entertaining - with a light touch of satire and commentary on human nature.

Oh yeah, this movie also provides some very fun and likable characters. The ensemble cast delivers very good performances to sustain interest in this fable at a high level. Irene Dunne, as always, is a complete delight. Dean Jagger delivers a performance that I really enjoyed watching. How many leading roles did he play in light comedies?

I recommend this clever little comedy.