Jim West

In spite of so much undeserved acclaim from some critics, this is a terrible movie, cheap in all respects as far as the cinematic art is concerned. Many people may approve it merely on account of its demagogic handling of a 'relevant issue' such as extreme poverty and criminality in the slums area of underdeveloped countries. But regardless of its dynamic editing that attempts to pass for 'modern' or 'innovative', this is an extremely bad movie, poorly written, directed and enacted. I'll never understand why the AMPAS absurdly decided to nominate this nauseating movie for several awards. But don't fall for this imposture: trust me, this picture is not worth the price of your admission ticket. Stay away from it!

Sirk aptly deals with basic family values and problems in a critical way, questioning the false appearance of stability and harmony of a typical American home. MacMurray's job in a toy factory provides plenty of interesting metaphors, often visual ones. In one scene Sirk even places 'Rex, the Walkie-Talkie Robot-Man' on the foreground, upstaging MacMurray and forcing a comparison between them. MacMurray's home, under the resemblance of a happy and harmonious family life, really seems like a big doll's house – MacMurray being here a sort of male 'Nora'. The happy ending seems a bit awkward or phony, but it's what audiences were taught to expect back in the 50's; no other ending would have been allowed under the infamous Production Code, then still being enforced.