It Grows on Trees

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!

In the 1930s and 40s, Irene Dunne was one of the top actresses in Hollywood. However, by the time she made "It Grows on Trees" she was older and her prospects a bit dimmer. In fact, it would turn out to be her final movie and the rest of her career she'd appear in a few television productions. It's sad, though, that this final film appearance was in such a dopey production. Why is it dopey? Well, just listen to the plot...the Baxter family have a tree that begins growing money...money that appears to be 100% REAL!

When the picture begins, Phil and Polly Baxter (Dean Jagger and Irene Dunne) are arguing over money. It seems it's really tight in their household and Phil is trying to get Polly to live within their means. But she keeps wanting to spend it on various things for the kids...even though they cannot afford it. Suddenly, as if an answer to prayer, money starts appearing around their property and it takes a while for them to realize that they've got a money tree!

The plot to this film is pretty stupid...that's hard to deny. The actors seem to try their best to make it work, though with such a ridiculous plot even the greatest actors in history couldn't make much of this fluff. And, in this case, Dunne in particular is NOT very good...mostly because her character is pretty annoying.

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

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 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.