What a Blonde

After a sequence set on a smoke-filled train presumably to add running time, we get the usual mistaken identity and scurrying about Leon Erroll's palatial home until it eventually reaches feature length and ends.

At least it's got Veda Ann Borg in it.

From the 1930s-50s, Leon Errol made a long series of short comedies for RKO. The themes in most of them are identical....with Errol either playing a philandering husband OR playing a husband whose wife THINKS he's a philanderer when he actually isn't. "What a Blonde" is like one of these later plots...with Leon's wife thinking he's cheating on her when he isn't.

"What a Blonde" is a film strongly influenced by being made during WWII. During the war, rationing was imposed on the public in order to direct most of the production towards the soldiers fighting abroad. Items such as rubber, cars, food and gasoline were severely rationed and folks simply were not allowed to drive for fun nor buy whatever they wanted in stores.

The story finds Leon a rich guy who despite hid money, he can't have what he wants. His servants are surly (because there was a severe shortage of domestic staff during the war) and he barely can get enough gas to allow him to be driven to work by his chauffer. So, he comes up with a scheme. If he gets other people to carpool with him, he would be given additional ration coupons for gasoline. Although the plan seems reasonable, it soon spirals in insane ways that are completely unpredictable. See the film...you'll see what you mean.

So why did I give this movie a 6? Well, it was enjoyable and funny...though after a while it also was a bit tedious. Why? Well the momentum of the story really seemed to slow because it wasn't a short and was so long. Now this isn't to say it's bad...but it might have been better had it been shorter.

I wasn't born until 30 years after this movie was made, but I haven't had a movie make me laugh this much in a long time. The situations were hysterical and the main character was a hoot!

The plot is obvious but who cares. Leon Errol was a master of the put-upon petty tyrant who is continually misunderstanding people and getting himself into trouble. (Paul Ford - Bilko's commanding officer -followed in his mold). The situations in this movie tend to be straight out of burlesque but even when you can see the events coming in advance (e.g., the wife unexpectedly coming home early) you still have to laugh out loud as they unfold. For those old enough to remember WW II you get taken back to meat and gasoline rationing and ration coupons. Younger people may go "Huh?" not understanding how desperate drivers were to obtain gasoline (think odd and even days at gas stations in the '70s). If you get a chance, see this movie and just have a good time!

Leon Errol is quick witted and entertaining as ever in this fast paced comedy. A steady diet of laughs keep up with the twists and turns of the comical story line. Ration period problems as well to do's struggle with sustaining everyday life as they know it while having to rely on "commoners" to help make everything right as disruptions stack up. A very good comedy and well worth the hour and eleven minutes!