Changeons de sexe

Although Adolphe Menjou is billed first, the "Turnabout" stars are John Hubbard (as Tim, then Sally) and Carole Landis (as Sally, then Tim); they play a bickering couple who are granted a wish: they switch bodies! There are some stereotypes evident, but this is a surprisingly well-done comedy from the time period. Possibly, the most "offensive" bit is not the gender role playing, but the repeated bit involving Mr. Menjou and the water fountain. Donald Meek (as Henry) and Marjorie Main (as Nora) are delightful as servants to the gender-bending couple. Mr. Hubbard and Ms. Landis are funny and believable. The ending is a trifle weak; but, "Turnabout" is an enjoyable surprise.

****** Turnabout (1940) Hal Roach ~ John Hubbard, Carole Landis, Adolphe Menjou

Carole Landis and John Hubbard play Sally and Tim Willows, a fairly bland married couple whose bickering accelerates to a point where they wish aloud that they could trade places…and whose wish is granted by a statue that sits on their bedroom shelf.

The opening scenes meander a bit, but we get to know Tim's eccentric business partners, their catty wives with whom Sally hangs out, and the Willows' domestic staff—all nicely played by a cast of veteran character actors led by Adolphe Menjou as one of Tim's partners.

It's when Sally and Tim switch bodies that the picture takes off—that is, when Sally takes on the personality and mannerisms of Tim, and vice versa. Landis and Hubbard are both hilarious; Landis is especially funny when she affects her husband's athletic swagger and broad gestures.

Donald Meek and Marjorie Main are typically entertaining as valet and cook; Mary Astor lends an edge as Menjou's wife. Franklin Pangborn has a funny bit as a Mr. Pingboom (not Mr. Pingpong, as he is called to his annoyance).

Other memorable moments include Landis (in her ultra-masculine persona) shinnying up a flagpole to install a radio aerial, and a rather surreal scene in which Menjou and William Gargan attempt to destroy a radio that just won't shut off. (They break it to pieces but it just keeps on playing.)

It's no classic but done in good spirits and occasionally hilarious.

Goodness knows whats happening in Rocky River Idaho... They must have had a humour extraction... Probably something in the water... This film is a howl... How it hasn't been rediscovered is amazing... United Artists apparently have the rights... Get it out on DVD guys... THIS IS A CAMP CLASSIC... Having all the good and bad points that a film that falls into that catagory needs... Now carefull what you wish if you have bedroom statuary

Bickering husband and wife (John Hubbard, Carole Landis) have their minds switched thanks to a magic statue they call Mr. Ram. Landis is gorgeous, funny, and the primary reason to recommend this movie. Hubbard is OK but nothing special. The supporting cast includes Donald Meek, William Gargan, Franklin Pangborn, and Marjorie Main. Solid supporting actors all. Mary Astor appears in a wasted role as a friend of Landis' before The Maltese Falcon would reinvigorate her career the following year. Adolphe Menjou is annoying as a partner in the husband's ad agency. His entire role in the movie is yelling at various people. It gets old fast.

The madcap stuff doesn't really get underway until about midway through. The first 35-40 minutes is mostly setup, establishing these two characters' personalities and relationships. This probably could have been trimmed down to 10-15 minutes and I believe it would have helped the movie considerably. Everything involving the dog and then the bear was completely irrelevant and seemed to be tacked on because someone thought "Hey! Animals are funny. Let's do that." The first half is a slog to get through but the second half is lots of fun. I saw it years ago and didn't like it but just saw it for a second time and came away with a more favorable opinion. It's a very unique and risqué film for 1940. Carole Landis fans will love it most. It's probably her best role.

A mystical bust of a turbaned god gives a bickering, unsatisfied married couple exactly what they want: they switch bodies...but unfortunately not voices, which means the husband--who is one-third of a partnership in a big city advertising firm--talks like a girl and prances around his office complete with pocketbook! Very early entry in the body-switching genre is much fresher than some of the similar comedies which followed years later; the film doesn't have an esteemed reputation, so it's difficult to imagine that it influenced other pictures, but surely this was the starting point (or close to it). There are some very fast, very funny lines, quick and efficient gags, bright performers--however the first thirty minutes (a straight satire on big business before the 'magical' troubles begin) is just fine all by itself. The body-switching ploy pretty much comes out of nowhere and sticks out as a gimmick, when actually the movie was progressing very well without it. **1/2 from ****