Three Blind Mice

All true romantic comedies have happy endings; otherwise they are not romantic comedies. If I'm not entertained or do not sense good chemistry and witty dialog in the first fifteen minutes, then I turn them off. Three Blind Mice was a last minute decision to DVR, but it was billed as a comedy and starred three of my favorite actors: Loretta Young, Joel McCrea, and David Niven. Surprisingly, I was hooked well before the fifteen minute mark.

I loved the elegant costuming, the plot, the signature dry humor of Joel McCrea, the suaveness and wittiness of David Niven, the twists along the way, the setting, the chivalry, the necessary scheming for this plot, and, especially, the supporting cast. A more classically comic actress might have suited Loretta Young's part, but her elegance made her character credible.

Next time you get a chance to see Three Blind Mice, give it a try. It was a pleasant way to spend 90 minutes. If you do not like these actors or the standard romantic comedy, then consider if this genre is really worth your time. Otherwise, I highly recommend it.

This comedy about three sisters who inherit a bit of money and use it to mount a gold-digging expedition is given a fairly glossy Fox handling. Yet, despite a cast that in a few years would be considered stellar for screwball comedy, it never quite gets off the ground. In fact, this looks like it is miscast, something that should have starred Janet Gaynor. Fox had dumped Miss Gaynor a couple of years earlier and used Loretta Young in the lead role. She lacks that adorability that makes you forgive her her trespasses.

Only Binnie Barnes, as David Niven's emphatic sister, really shines. Although director William Seiter was a dab hand at social comedy, he never really got a feel for out-and-out screwball, and this effort shows the gap.

If anything, this movie looks like Preston Sturges was so annoyed by it that he wrote the script for THE PALM BEACH STORY and cast this movie's lead, Joel McCrea in the lead.

The plot of "Three Blind Mice" is a lot like that of "How To Marry A Millionaire", as both films have to do with women setting out with two partners to capture rich husbands. However, instead of three seeking out three rich men, in "Three Blind Mice" the three ladies are sisters and put all their hopes and energy on one sister--played by Loretta Young. One of the other sisters poses as her secretary and the third just hides.

The film begins with the sisters all deciding to take their small inheritance and pooling it. Then, they'll leave their farm in Kansas and head to where the millionaires are--California. There, Young meets two seemingly eligible rich men--played by David Niven and Joel McCrea. Unfortunately, however, the one she is smitten with (McCrea) turns out to be from a good family...but completely broke. And, coincidentally, he was interested in her because he thought SHE was rich. As for Loretta, wen she learns the truth, she's still quite willing to marry Joel...but he will have none of that. Later, when he reappears on the scene, it sure appears as if he's changed his mind. By the time it's all over, everything works out miraculously well--like in "How To Marry A Millionaire".

While this is a very pleasant little film, it is hard to truly love this movie--mostly because the three sisters are such mercenary ladies. Still, it's well-acted and pleasant fluff and good for a rainy day.

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.

Darryl Zanuck certainly liked The Greeks Had A Word For Them. 20th Century Fox did four versions of this story of which Three Blind Mice was the second.

From roaring twenties flappers the three husband seeking girls are the proprietors of a chicken ranch on the Kansas plains and after getting a $5000.00+ inheritance they're off to Southern California to seek a rich husband. Loretta Young is given the lead so to speak as a rich débutante with Marjorie Weaver and Pauline Moore as secretary and maid. No particular reason for them to invest in Loretta as all three women are lookers. But Loretta's most sold on the idea.

After a fashion they get themselves involved with Joel McCrea has an impressive WASP name, but little cash. He's an excellent extra man for a dinner party though. He's got a friend in David Niven who is really rich and sights are set on him. But hanging around is Stu Erwin who is a bartender who has a dislike for whom he considers gold diggers.

Three Blind Mice is a pleasant and witty comedy very typical of the era when people still dressed for dinner. Of course in this situation that fourth remake that 20th Century Fox did was the best. It was nothing less than How To Marry A Millionaire.

Still this one holds its own quite nicely.