Fast and Loose

During the 1930s and 40s, MGM produced many successful "Thin Man" movies starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. They were wonderful little mystery films with a very strong emphasis on humor and the banter between the two leads. Here, MGM tries to make the formula pay off again, but this time with Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell in the leads. In so many ways the film was this old formula all over again, but somehow despite their best efforts the two leads just don't make it work as well as Powell and Loy--partly because the Thin Man films are so good it's hard to match them and partly because the script just isn't as good as the Thin Man scripts--it's just too complex and not all that interesting. Still, considering the Russell and Montgomery still are wonderful actors, the film pays off well enough to recommend it. I especially liked Montgomery's easy-going manner, though unfortunately the usually strong characters Russell plays aren't as evident here and she's rather over-shadowed by Montgomery.

So overall, it's not a bad little film--just don't expect the magic of Nick and Nora Charles.

I love the films with Robert Montgomery. There was no one better at light comedy roles. And Roz was no slouch either. That's why this picture was so disappointing.

This picture is about two murders and 40 minutes too long. Don't try to keep up with who killed whom and why-you'll get a headache! Normally with a 30's whodunit you wouldn't expect to keep up with the plot twists. But here they just bog down the lifeless story more. It's dull and formulaic. Only the charm, wit and affection of the stars make this watchable at all.

But still, I'm not sorry I saw It-because as a film "buff," I wouldn't have believed otherwise that Montgomery and Roz had made such a stinker!

This is the second installment of a series created by Harry Kurnitz from his book "Fast Company," featuring a husband and wife team, Joel and Garda Sloane, rare book dealers who were amateur detectives. The first outing was "Fast Company" starring Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice. "Fast and Loose" came next. Then the Sloane's misadventures came to a screeching halt with "Fast and Furious" featuring Franchot Tone and Ann Sothern." One reason for the demise was the rapid turnover in the lead roles with different actors playing Joel and Garda in each film. A common thread for all three was the writing of Harry Kurnitz which accounts for the similarities in dialog and story structures.

True, the series may remind viewers of Nick and Nora Charles but in reality there are many husband and wife flicks from the period that were somewhat patterned after the successful and popular "The Thin Man." These three films can stand on their own without such comparisons being necessary. Of the three, the first "Fast Company" is possibly the best with Douglas and Rice making a fine pair of sleuths. But the other two have merits of their own.

Robert Montgomery and the indomitable Rosalind Russell interact well with each other. The story about a forged Shakespeare which leads to murder with a whole gallery of suspects isn't always easy to follow but it's worth the time and effort. Montgomery and Russell share many a witty line and comeback, not quite as fast, nor as cutting, as the repartee between Russell and Cary Grant in "His Girl Friday" which was released the following year but still enough gibes to keep all fast and loose. There is also a running joke that carries on to the end involving a donut cushion from a previous case when Joel Slaone was shot in the tush.

The title is apt for the script and direction which are fast and loose. Not on a par with "The Thin Man," but still an entertaining piece of fluff.

Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell just fit their roles as Joel and Garda Sloane, witty rare book dealers who dabble in detective work on the side. The book business is apparently not that good— Montgomery wishes that somebody would steal a lot of rare books so he could recover them and get the reward. Also, detective work is a lot more fun than book selling.

The plot, which gets rolling quickly, involves a Shakespeare manuscript and a Paradise Lost first edition, as well as a rival book dealer, an absent-minded client, and some family intrigue. As Russell sums up neatly at one point: "What a spot for that girl. Her father murdered and her brother and her sweetheart probably all mixed up in it." It's fairly complicated but the story moves along plenty fast enough that we don't have much time to wonder whether it makes sense.

The banter between Montgomery and Russell is the picture's main attraction, and both stars are appealing and funny. The supporting cast is also good and features such familiar faces as Reginald Owen and Ralph Morgan.

It's no masterpiece but never boring for a minute; it's certainly a solid entry in the husband-and-wife-amateur-detectives genre.

Comedy/murder-mystery with a plot that's a bit rambling, but the action is considerably boosted up by the smart, snappy patter and chemistry between the two leads, Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. They play a husband/wife duo who own a rare book business, sleep in twin beds, and soon get themselves mixed up with a house full of murder, intrigue, and the constant back and forth of characters appearing in satin robes or satin gowns as our couple plays detective to try and find out who is behind the mystery of a forged Shakespeare manuscript.

This film is fun, though the plot is sort of hard to follow, and there are too many boring side characters that don't really add anything to the mix. But - Rosalind Russell is smart and funny, as usual, and gets to appear in lots of gorgeous dresses and gowns, as usual. Robert Montgomery, well, is just so darn charming and attractive, how can he miss (okay, I admit I have a crush - I'm afraid my feelings about this film may have been altered based on the fact I'm still swooning over him). Mediocre story, but nicely played by the two leads who really seemed like a married couple to me (I thought it was cute when she tied a little ribbon into a bow around a strand of his thinning hair).